A cup of tea...

Since all coffee is the strainings of Satan's undercrackers, I stick to tea - generally Waitrose own brand Earl Grey (when I run out of Fortnums... an equally unperfumey EG blend) - preferably loose leaf, but I have some bags as emergency backups for travel and the like.

<blue touch paper lit, retires to a safe distance>
 
Have to put my hand up for Oolongs (mainly from 'Formosa' but mainland China as well) - they are great at any time of day, my preference is without milk and brewed for about 4 minutes. Colour varies between very light amber to dark golden.
 
I quite like PG Tips 'Pyramid' tea bags for a quick cup around 11:00am, otherwise it's loose Assam or Darjeeling and in the afternoon White Tea, Elderflower or occasionally Jasmine.
 
Don't be scared! The loose stuff isn't weak. You just need to make it correctly.
 
As an everyday standard, I really like Ringtons Northumbrian Blend loose leaf. Damn good value tea! Yorkshire Gold is also a good brew but best in loose leaf form. Betty's Tea Room Blend is very hard to beat for a robust tasty brew but is up the price scale somewhat and I also rather like F&M's Royal Blend which is comparable in terms of cost. As far as Earl Grey goes, give me Taylors of Harrogate loose leaf over Twinings any day. A sublime brew with just the right amount of perfume.

However, I must admit to not being keen on Darjeeling at all. 'Tis said to be the champagne of teas but the appeal of yon French fizzy piss was rather lost on me too. First flush? Flush it all, I say! That said Bewleys of Dublin do a rather lovely Irish Breakfast which has some Darjeeling in the blend and it really works.

On the milk question, I'm with Donald Pleasance's character in The Great Escape:


As to green tea, I suppose it's okay if yer a foreigner or your first name is Josephine....:p

Coffee? Whasat then? :D
 
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PG Tips as per recommendation. I like the flavour but don't love it and really have how small particles go through all infusers I own. When I think nice tea my mind tends to bring me a cheap/generic Asaam I once got from marks and spencer or another retailer. Lovely!
 
Loving the tea craic.....

Just to add my tuppence worth....Yorkshire tea in the mornings or any time at work.
Hot/wet/strong :D

Assam (tescos or strong & malty) in the afternoon with the occasional cup of lapsangsouchong or chai thrown in randomly.
I've flirted with the chinese stuff and some of it is very good, blows your head off as much as a strong cup of coffee.

How much loose leaf do you use per cup? What type of infuser out of curiosity?
 
Aye, strainer for the mugs/cups.

As far as amount of tea goes, I'm one heaped teaspoon for a one pint pot, two for two, etc. Oh aye, and always warm the pot!
 
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