A cup of tea...

Yes. Tea needs boiling water to brew properly, adding the milk first cools it down and you end up with a mug of maiden's pish. Plus how do you know how much milk you need if you put it in first?

You shouldn't use just boiled water for tea it's too hot however using milk does reduce the temp that's true (and desirable) but it's the milk (protein and fat) that blocks up the bag and prevents it from properly diffusing especially if you pour milk in first and then dunk the bag. However I prefer putting in a splash of milk in first because I get a better dispersion throughout the tea but I do pour half a mug of hot water after the milk before the teabag and then the rest over the top to aid diffusion. I err on the side of caution when adding a splash of milk adding more if I need to after brewing.
 
On my way to Home base in Brecon this morning...I passed a little shop called Tea Emporium. I turns out it is the base for The UK Loose Leaf Tea Company It's on the side of town I don't frequent much....so I had missed it. Looks like I will be paying them a visit!

The shop certainly looks to have a good selection.

To get the best from any purchases, just do a little reading on water temperature and brewing times.

Take the opportunity to talk to the shopkeeper as well ... you might get some free samples, too.
 
You shouldn't use just boiled water for tea it's too hot however using milk does reduce the temp that's true (and desirable) but it's the milk (protein and fat) that blocks up the bag and prevents it from properly diffusing especially if you pour milk in first and then dunk the bag. However I prefer putting in a splash of milk in first because I get a better dispersion throughout the tea but I do pour half a mug of hot water after the milk before the teabag and then the rest over the top to aid diffusion. I err on the side of caution when adding a splash of milk adding more if I need to after brewing.

The makers of Yorkshire Tea (my preferred brew) say otherwise: https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk/brew-news/the-great-milk-debate
 
This is the one I've been drinking:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/90s-Aged-Loose-Liu-Bao-Dark-Tea-Guangxi-Heicha/201329693105

Careful with Liu Bao - some can indeed cost the earth!
https://www.essenceoftea.com/tea/other-teas/liuan-liubao/1950-s-pu-tian-gong-qing-sealed-jar.html

I know some folks talk about how Puerh tea makes them feel high. Liu Bao is a similar process. I wouldn't say high, certainly not as in "tea drunk", more just really relaxed, then dropped into a deep, deep sleep. Weird, wacky dreams!
I took delivery of this tea today and it's very good indeed, a great taste and I'm looking forward to a sound nights sleep tonight and maybe even some vivid dreams.... Will report back tomorrow. P.
 
Well I slept better, it was not lthe knockout liquid I had hoped for but some improvement is better than none.
I did have some wacky dreams but like most dreams as soon as I wake I can't remember them.
So it was a sucsess and I will continue to drink this tea and enjoy not only the tea, which is very good but also the better sleep that it brings. Thank you @pigh for the recomendation .
 
Well I slept better, it was not lthe knockout liquid I had hoped for but some improvement is better than none.
I did have some wacky dreams but like most dreams as soon as I wake I can't remember them.
So it was a sucsess and I will continue to drink this tea and enjoy not only the tea, which is very good but also the better sleep that it brings. Thank you @pigh for the recomendation .

Haha! Super! I have the luxury of no drugs, no drink ... so sleep is always good. With this tea, I did wake as if I'd had an even better night of sleep and so was hopeful that would translate to others. But yes, there's something psychoactive in that tea!
 
Haha! Super! I have the luxury of no drugs, no drink ... so sleep is always good. With this tea, I did wake as if I'd had an even better night of sleep and so was hopeful that would translate to others. But yes, there's something psychoactive in that tea!
Well I only drink once in a blue moon, unfortunately I don't have the luxury of no prescription drugs, how I wished I didn't have to take them but I do.
My sleep was better and better is good. P.
 
The makers of Yorkshire Tea (my preferred brew) say otherwise: https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk/brew-news/the-great-milk-debate

From the linked article:

...“So when people ask me how to make the perfect cup of tea my answer is always simple; use freshly boiled water, brew to preferred strength (we recommend up to 4 minutes for optimum infusion)and add your milk or sugar (if you must) to your taste...

Hell, I'm a knuckledraggin' Yank who doesn't even drink hot tea and even I knew that! :D :p ;)

As regards tea, give me an Arnold Palmer any day. I'll let you look that one up.
 
Hell, I'm a knuckledraggin' Yank who doesn't even drink hot tea and even I knew that! :D :p ;)

As regards tea, give me an Arnold Palmer any day. I'll let you look that one up.

I remember having this debate in uni with a few of my course mates. I insisted boiling water is the way forwards, as you can't truly make a cup of tea on the top of Everest!

To add hot water to a cup of milk + tea bag is nigh-on blasphemy to me.
 
Well I slept better, it was not lthe knockout liquid I had hoped for but some improvement is better than none.
I did have some wacky dreams but like most dreams as soon as I wake I can't remember them.
So it was a sucsess and I will continue to drink this tea and enjoy not only the tea, which is very good but also the better sleep that it brings. Thank you @pigh for the recomendation .

Pretty much the same goes for me!
 
Really enjoying a consignment from Gently Stirred ...

I got some 'Pink Peony' (Chinese White Peony with rose buds), some Malawian Thyolo Estate 'White Peony' and some 'Red Peony' from the same estate. All lovely!

The Chinese 'Pink Peony' just has that edge that only really good Chinese can do, it's that certain extra tingle and bite that is just lacking from the African 'White Peony'. That said, the African really is nice - very close indeed and a really refreshing drinker. The 'Red Peony' is a slightly darker fired tea which is somewhere between a 'White Peony' and a 'Shou Mei' (same tea as 'White Peony', just lesser grade leaves).

I've also just finished a Malawian Thyolo 'Dark Fired' tea, which is verging on a red tea. Really good! Lovely big leaf teas, all of them.
 
I usually enjoy drinking Earl Grey and Lady Grey.

I found this at a Sainsbury's on the outskirts of Derby recently



It has an authentic taste of Masala Tea and makes a nice change.
Not cheap mind, around £2 for a box of 40 bags.
 
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