a nice cup of tea

[CiderMonkey]

does anyone else think that cups of tea taste different depending on who makes them? I'm not talking about the fact that some people use Typhoo and others use PG Tips... we all have the same milk and teabags in my office at work but some people make the tea and it's horrid while others make a lovely cuppa! I know it's probably due to the amount of water/milk they put in and how long they brew etc. Or maybe they do it on purpose to avoid having to make drinks for all of us. What do you think? Has anyone else experienced this?

[Snappy]

My grandma and my mam both use the same teabags yet they always taste different at the different houses! I dont know why this is, maybe different water quality?

[natalie_1982]

At work they're always putting milk in stuff, and it's not like a splash it's about 2 pints per cup of tea/ coffee which, to me, makes it taste like ditch water. 

Also, my fella doesn't boil the kettle all the way because he's lazy waiting for it to boil and then click off, and you can tell the difference. 

My brother is also crap, and literally waves the tea bag at the cup, just teasin, long enough for them to see eachother, and then chucks it in the bin and I get a **** weak cup of tea. 

I make it myself now, or go without.

[andy hughes]

It is a fact - the methods used in making tea will vary the taste. My method is to put milk and sugar in first, fill cup with water, then put in tea bag. If you lift the bag on your spoon, and hold it over the cup, you can guage what colour you like your tea before you take the bag away. I find this makes a perfect cup every time.

[natalie_1982]

Andy Hughes, you're doing it wrong! (joke)  Tea bag first. then water, then a splash of milk and sugar if you take them.  Even better if it's from a pot :)  Mmmmm.

[smudge]

Sainsburys Red Label tea bag - place in cup, pour in boiling water, stir for a few seconds, remove tea bag, pour in milk, add one sweetener (in my case) & drink. I make the best cup of tea in the land! 

[smudge]

That's skimmed milk of course!

[natalie_1982]

Smudge, the best tea bag in the world is the Marks and Spencers Gold ones.  They're special.  Mmmmmm.

[Bangkok]

Arrgghhh!  No milk, no sugar.  Bag into hot water and leave until strong, but not too taniny (I suspect I have just invented that word).  Twinings English Breakfast.

[Catweazle]

I've had many a compliment about my tea-making ability. I pour the water into the cup then dunk the teabag in it and squeeze it several times until the water turns dark brown, then remove the bag. I find leaving it in the cup to brew makes the tea taste bitter. Then I add about a tablespoon of milk.

 

This applies to ordinary teabags though. Some flavoured teas (eg Earl Grey and Rooibos) turn out OK by brewing for 5 minutes.

[natalie_1982]

Bangkok, does taniny mean that brown scum stuff you get round the top when drinking black tea?  Cos I get that.  And taniny sounds better than scum.  People are going to think I drink scum now.  It's not scum it's taniny, tea residue or something.

[Bangkok]

Tannin was orignally a brown or yellow chemical in plants used to tan leather.  It is now used to describe the strong tasting flavour in red wine from the grape skin and the taste of tea that has been brewed too long In the tea, you get the tiny particles floating around - which may be the scum, or it may be that the water is hard (often in the south of England)

[Tha-Flash]

Its the same with coffee, I gave up tea years ago.

I am fussy I wont have it too strong and I wont have it too weak

[natalie_1982]

I'm in Oxford, which is very South England.  So it is scum and not tannin.  But the best cup of tea I've ever had was in Dorset with a fresh scone with jam and cream.......

[Jules001]

I will only drink tea if I make it myself. It has got to be fresh water (not boiled half a dozen times) and the tea bag goes in to mug followed by the hot water then a splash of milk, I like my tea how I like my men (hot, dark and strong). I will never drink my Mum's tea she always adds far too much milk. I hardly ever drink tea, because I am so fussy about it. I nearly always drink coffee and will take that as it comes, although it must taste and smell like coffee. I am easy to please really!

[Kay]

Must agree with smudge,Sainsbury's for me every time. Milk 1st,add teabag then boiling water. I use a bone china mug and I reckon that makes a difference as well. Any old mug for coffee though.

[FP]

Bangkok,  You and I have the same taste in tea. Strong and black with no sugar.   Milk in tea is simply yuk.  Also has to be in a bone china cup or bone china mug.  Can't drink tea out of anything else.  Oh, and you must drink it so it burns you.  I like Morrisons Fair Trade tea best.

 

I also like strong green tea, but it must be brewed for ages to get the taste right.

[smudge]

Snap Fina - a nice cup of Sainsburys Red Label tea -but only in a bone china cup or mug!

 

I might just try M&S tea bags, just out of curiosity natalie_1982.

[nicola_red]

Flipping heck yes.  I don't really trust anyone except myself to make the perfect cup of tea.  My bf and I have been together for almost 5 years and he still gets it wrong sometimes. 

[Bottom]

Its funny because, when i feel tried or not well I always think of My mums nice sweet milky tea! Silly really but its the best ever and makes me cosy and better!!

[smudge]

Ah - nice thoughts Bottom.