The State of Tea
I guffawed when I heard that some English friends of my sister-in-law said tea just wasn’t the same here in the US. However, I must confess, that it is very, very true. I haven’t been completely satisfied by a cup of tea since we moved back to the States more than 2 months ago.
There are a few possible reasons for this sad state of affairs. I’m likely to go with the argument between soft and hard water. Scottish Blend, which always made for Bryce’s favourite cuppa, proudly advertised that the tea was made for Scotland’s soft water. So it made sense coming to an area where even filtered water still is hard that Scottish Blend just wouldn’t taste the same. So we bought a big pack of Irish Breakfast at Trader Joe’s hoping for something better. Alas. It just doesn’t have that added umph, that makes you smile to yourself, while drawing the mug toward you as it warms your fingers.
Not that you even need a hot beverage in LA since it really never gets cold. That said, I’ve still had a cup every day. Today I was hankering for a nice big cup of black tea and milk, instead of my usual decaf varieties, so I went to the cafeteria here this morning to get my fix. The water tastes of coffee because they use those coffee pots (like the one you see what’s-her-name pouring in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) not only for coffee but also for hot water. I guess I’ll just have to go back to Britain occasionally to get a proper cup of tea.
October 12th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Dude,
I found this great free trade tea which i have switched to from scottish blend. Although, I have since switched to Decaff, so I am back to earl grey by twinnings.
Can you believe Neyir bought some tea which was about 20 bucks for a little box (with only 10 bags in it) or something like that. I’m not allowed to touch them.
October 12th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
Hmmm, something tells me that a comment beginning with “Dude” wasn’t written by Neyir.
October 12th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
You can’t get proper tea in London either. The water here is horrid and very hard. ugh.
October 14th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
It’s true you know.
October 14th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
Mr T was also confused by a Nayir post beginning with “Dude”, in which Nayir if referenced in the third person prohibiting Nayir from doing something…
It does not take Mr T a lot to get confused, so this has happened.
Mr T finds it hard to believe that in such a multi-cultural place as LA that you cannot find a good cuppa (Mr T was busy hiding from Col Dekker while he was in LA, so did not manage to fully explore the tea scene). Those English people are just trying to psyche you out about it – don’t give in to their mind games! Instead, enjoy a nice cup of Tea. (indeed, Mr T wonders how someone from the British Ilses could actually claim to be an expert in anything culinary)
Mr T, who enjoys any conversation about T and is having a cup of PG Tips