I HAVE TEA AGAIN! REJOICE! Kettle and tea reviews, found here.

[lyssabard]

Last week, I received a house warming prezzie from my fairygothmother, thewronghands. There was, however, a small problem: I lacked my awesome Breville tea kettle, with multiple temperature selection for producing awesome tea, and I did not pack a teapot or any filtering device. In my defense, I was already 68lbs overweight on ONE back, so, I guess that's ok. (

Comments

[heron61]

That sounds like awesome tea awesomeness. I use a pot on the stove and a thermometer, but your new pot sounds vastly better. I especially like the presence of 150 degree setting. I use 150 for oolong and green teas that I make as iced tea - I let the tea steep for 30-60 minutes and so all flavors are released, but the water is cool enough to keep it from getting bitter.

Also, while far from cheap, osmanthus oolong makes the absolute best iced tea ever and works perfectly with this method.

[lyssabard]

Huh. I would think that amount of time at 150 would be bitter, but maybe oolong is heartier than I think.
And cold overnight steeping on greens and whites FTW. (Though Dragonwell needs heat, imho.)

So, if you like osmanthus oolong as much as I do, try Ontario Ice Wine from New Mexico Tea Company. :) (This addiction also brought to you by thewronghands).

Wen Shan pouchong is also lovely. I wish I knew what grade/kind I had from Ten Ren, but I have liked the pouchong teas that I have tried from there.

Tea FTW!

[teaotter]

I actually do find some of John's iced teas bitter (he doesn't, so, ymmv) but the iced osmanthus oolong is truly amazing.

[lyssabard]

Agreed on iced osmanthus oolong--I make iced tea out of it frequently.

So, this pitcher has become my saving grace for cold brewing. I used to use Teavana's glass Amandine pitcher, but it broke, frequently. This is still going and though it can be a pita to clean the filter if you don't have a bottle brush and the tea is fine (Do NOT let it dry with leaves in it. Evar.) it is easy to replace and easy to upkeep and easy to use for cold or hot/cold brewing.

Usually I brew and then ice it--the pitcher is made for that. I adore it.

[teaotter]

Several months ago, in a swap, I got a Kati tea brewing cup from Tea Forte. I bought a second one for the office a while back. If I don't have the time or inclination for a whole pot of tea, I can still shove a mug of water through the microwave and then brew tea in the Kati and have perfect,luscious looseleaf tea any time I want. (I've grown to hate tea balls, since the leaves can't really unfurl well)

[lyssabard]

Pretty! I tend to use teapots and strainers, because I drink a ton, but those look lovely.
I totally could collect tons of teaware.

And I agree with you on hating tea balls.

[heron61]

Huh, white tea infused with ice wine - I can't tell if that's awesome, eldritch, or eldritchly awesome, but it definitely sounds worth tasting.

[lyssabard]

Didn't I make some of this for you guys at any time you visited? It's totally my favorite tea, glorious hot or iced. I coulda sworn....

Either way, GET SOME. No, seriously, GET SOME.

I promise to drink whatever you don't like. :)