One reason drinking a cup of tea is a newer development for me is that I've never liked hot liquids in my mouth. What's up with that? People put HOT, SCALDING liquids IN THEIR MOUTHS all the time! I don't get it! My "hot" tea is only warm, thank you, which seems so much more sensible. Seriously. Of course, I don't like iced drinks, either. People put FREEZING COLD liquids IN THEIR MOUTHS all the time! How can they do that? I like room temp. I like iced tea--hold the ice, please.
Meanwhile, a few years ago, I learned that when I was with someone who wanted some Starbucks (not a regular routine, mind you), I could get some chai (never having acquired a taste for coffee) which made me look a little more a part of the cool coffee scene. So, I bought some chai at the market and also some mint herbal. Just to sip a little when company came over. I began to discover other delights, as well, such as white pear and various greens (having enjoyed them only with Asian food for years). And, well, now I've gone over the edge.
You can see (in our continuing tour of the contents of our cupboards begun with the fascinating exploration of our breakfast cereal) that I clearly have no sense about how much tea is enough. So, I have a little menu of the current selections posted inside the cupboard door so as to better ascertain the 30-40 choices at any given time. Green, black or white for morning, herbals in the evening. And I always drink from a huge 16-ounce cup. Always.
What's that? You want to know if I use sweetener and/or milk? Well. Yes and yes. Rachel was the corrupting influence. She encouraged me to try sweetener and milk. Never for herbals or greens, for me, but always with blacks and whites, now. And my sweetener of choice is stevia powder. It's easier to find, now that the FDA finally got around to approving it (don't get me started!). And usually, it's soy milk, but cow's will do.
Tom supports my habit. He's bought me a couple of lovely tea pots. One is a nice orange (to match my kettle) and the other is a beautiful Japanese-style iron set with the cute little cups. So pretty, I think you'll agree! And my tea faves? Well, in the winter I love the goo-gah teas, one of which is Bigelow's Egg Noggin (the "flavored instant coffee" of tea--definitely low-brow) And, anytime, I love Yogi Green Goji Berry with Green Kombucha and Green Pomegranate as runner-ups. By the by, Bigelow Perfect Peach is the favorite for iced tea, no question.
There! Can you think of any better way to have spent the last few minutes? Oh, and as a little bonus, here's Tom sitting in the kitchen doing (what else?) crossword puzzles after lunch, today. Such great blog value!
