I read a meme the other day that got me curious...

[Michie]

There is a quality difference but prep is a big part. I warm the teapot with boiling water first, most Americans do not. But I was also taught by a grandmother who was one step from her mother who had come over from England. So most of my tea habits are not American.

In many ways British companies use higher quality to start...but that is not a given. We have a larger base of low grade tea here in the States. So the overall result is low quality, quick prep and cut corners on what is essentially a culinary art.

My wife will almost never make tea for herself. She loves it and has me make it and says I will be the one teaching the children

Thanks for the answer. Is British tea light & watery? The pic I saw it was which made me wonder how it could even taste like tea at all. I'm used to seeing dark tea. Light tea seems like it would be tasteless.

 

[MKJ]

Ok, now I'm just assuming there is no difference except the preparation since nobody seems to have any answers!

Well, there are different qualities of teas, but that is also true in the UK. Bags are pretty much always lower quality than bags are. Ideally, you want the leaves to be whole rather than very broken up. And you need the oils from the leaves, so preparation in the factory does make a difference.

And as davidnic said, how you make the tea also makes a difference.

I have also noticed a lot of domestic teas, supposedly Earle Grey, which are made with artificial flavours instead of bergamont.

 

[MKJ]

Thanks for the answer. Is British tea light & watery? The pic I saw it was which made me wonder how it could even taste like tea at all. I'm used to seeing dark tea. Light tea seems like it would be tasteless.

Earle Grey is light coloured.

 

[Michie]

Earle Grey is light coloured.

No matter how long you steep it?

 

[Davidnic]

color is not always related to strength. It can be. Honestly prep and quality determine a good deal. A well prepared poor tea can still be an experience. I drink mostly loose tea, Russian Caravan blend from a local tea shop. I also when using bags drink Stash Teas Christmas morning blend , which is a five black tea blend I like. I do some green but am mostly black. My wife likes Tetley British Blend and will almost drink nothing else.

 

[MKJ]

No matter how long you steep it?

It gets a little darker to an extent, but never really black like some other teas do.

 

[Davidnic]

And getting the temp right is huge.

 

[Davidnic]

I will also have to see what the common US blend on black tea is. I buy mine specifically for type so I do not know the default. I think, not sure, the British default is Kenyan and Assam as a blend.

 

[Michie]

Thanks for the answers. I guess I'm going to have to do some experimenting.

To me, tea is tea. I've never really got into differences of blends & such.

Sweet tea is all I have any experience with.

 

[MKJ]

I will also have to see what the common US blend on black tea is. I buy mine specifically for type so I do not know the default. I think, not sure, the British default is Kenyan and Assam as a blend.

I think that vast majority of black teas sold here are orange pekoe

 

[Second Phoenix]

In our favour - we get paid holidays from work - it's legally mandated - do you ?

If you make a salary it's included. We have federal holidays.

This also shows a problem with economic logic. An employer is not going to give you 'extra money' because the government mandates paid holidays. They'll determine, by the market, what you should earn and give it to you. If the government or employer decides you should get paid time off, your salary will be reduced because of lack of productivity. It will be reflected in your salary or wage. If its mandated- then everyone is penalized and so no one notices.

In simple terms, let's say there is a boat company that produces one yacht every week. The government mandates four weeks total of vacation and holidays. Instead of producing 52 boats a year, they now made 48. That's four fewer yachts to make money on and give to the employees. Of course, no one notices, because all the other boat companies take the loss. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it's just economics.

When the government interferes with the free market, the people don't make extra money. Less work ALWAYS result in less production. Not a bad thing, but we have to accept it and not allow ourselves to be duped into believing government mandated less work won't affect anything... France? France?

The worst thing is when developed nations with social welfare programs have minimum wage laws.

 

[Michie]

Lets not turn this thread of politics.

 

[Second Phoenix]

.

 

[Second Phoenix]

Lets not turn this thread of politics.

Economics isn't politics. Nothing is free or extra, unless it is charity.

 

[Michie]

Economics isn't politics. Nothing is free or extra, unless it is charity.

I know the whole thing was brought up by someone else but it does not matter. It's just a good natured thread with a question about tea. All this one upsmanship makes me want to vomit.

I find differences & laughing at ourselves fun. I don't give a flying flip who gets paid holidays.

 

[Second Phoenix]

I love black pudding.
Much to the demise of my friends when I explain what black pudding is and why anyone in their right mind would order it in a restaurant, much less eat it.

A few friends and I went to an Irish Pub/Restaurant once and much to my surprise, they actually had Real Irish food. (Or as close to Irish food that one can get)
I ordered the full Irish breakfast which came with a good sized serving of Black and White Pudding.

I love black pudding! I have ordered it in Irish pubs and people give me weird looks.

 

[Michie]

I love black pudding! I have ordered it in Irish pubs and people give me weird looks.

It sounds disgusting. What does it taste like?

 

[Second Phoenix]

It's has a mineral taste - like organ meats.

 

[Michie]

It's has a mineral taste - like organ meats.

ew!

 

[Dylan Michael]

It sounds disgusting. What does it taste like?

It's meaty.
I've had two types.
Spanish and Irish.
The Spanish was juicier, it had a more meat and a lot of liquid.
while the the Irish was dryer. It had more oats, so it had a meaty, mealy taste/texture.

It's an acquired taste.

Spanish:

British: (On the Left)