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On January 12 2013 05:38 tili wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2013 05:17 peacenl wrote:Somewhat funny that this was only recently found by scientific study, while Japanese Zen monks already started meditating on Matcha about 9 centuries ago  It's good that it's confirmed by scientific data now, but I feel sometimes that too much deep understanding is 'forgotten' throughout the ages. Haha, really? Monks drink matcha? Yea, the brain imaging blew me away.
If you find this interesting, I think this might interest you even more, most people I talk to don't know the word tea drunk yet:
http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teaandtisanebasics/f/What-Does-Tea-Drunk-Mean.htm
Taken from that source: "Consumed without caffeine, L-theanine induces a very calm (and often very sleepy) state, and it is in trial stages for use as an anxiety reducing drug. However, when combined with caffeine, L-theanine is thought to increase the production of alpha waves in the brain, inducing a meditative state without making you tired."
The best way to become tea drunk is drinking Japanese shade grown green tea, such as: Premium Gyokuro, Premium Matcha, although with Matcha almost all decent qualities have a noticeable effect.
For spotting matcha quality I always use this reference:
![[image loading]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2sg4kULsgM/UIYtafJbuCI/AAAAAAAAEmo/IkqaWQoYfac/s1600/matcha-tea.jpg)
The more vividly green, the better its quality is.
A while ago, some guy tried extremely thick matcha and blogged about it lol:
http://blog.breakawaymatcha.com/really-really-really-thick-matcha/
Knowing what 1 normal bowl can do to you for 2/3 hours, he took the equivalent of 12 servings in three bowls in almost the same amount of time - makes me want to try it out for myself.
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On January 12 2013 05:51 peacenl wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2013 05:38 tili wrote:On January 12 2013 05:17 peacenl wrote:Somewhat funny that this was only recently found by scientific study, while Japanese Zen monks already started meditating on Matcha about 9 centuries ago It's good that it's confirmed by scientific data now, but I feel sometimes that too much deep understanding is 'forgotten' throughout the ages. Haha, really? Monks drink matcha? Yea, the brain imaging blew me away. If you find this interesting, I think this might interest you even more, most people I talk to don't know the word tea drunk yet: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teaandtisanebasics/f/What-Does-Tea-Drunk-Mean.htmTaken from that source: "Consumed without caffeine, L-theanine induces a very calm (and often very sleepy) state, and it is in trial stages for use as an anxiety reducing drug. However, when combined with caffeine, L-theanine is thought to increase the production of alpha waves in the brain, inducing a meditative state without making you tired." The best way to become tea drunk is drinking Japanese shade grown green tea, such as: Premium Gyokuro, Premium Matcha, although with Matcha almost all decent qualities have a noticeable effect. For spotting matcha quality I always use this reference: The more vividly green, the better its quality is. A while ago, some guy tried extremely thick matcha and blogged about it lol: http://blog.breakawaymatcha.com/really-really-really-thick-matcha/Knowing what 1 normal bowl can do to you for 2/3 hours, he took the equivalent of 12 servings in three bowls in almost the same amount of time - makes me want to try it out for myself.
That is hella cool. I've never heard the term, but I'm tempted to make some matcha right now!
However, I'm going to take the blog with a grain of salt- since the blogger founded a REALLY expensive matcha company ^^
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On January 12 2013 07:33 tili wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2013 05:51 peacenl wrote:On January 12 2013 05:38 tili wrote:On January 12 2013 05:17 peacenl wrote:Somewhat funny that this was only recently found by scientific study, while Japanese Zen monks already started meditating on Matcha about 9 centuries ago It's good that it's confirmed by scientific data now, but I feel sometimes that too much deep understanding is 'forgotten' throughout the ages. Haha, really? Monks drink matcha? Yea, the brain imaging blew me away. If you find this interesting, I think this might interest you even more, most people I talk to don't know the word tea drunk yet: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teaandtisanebasics/f/What-Does-Tea-Drunk-Mean.htmTaken from that source: "Consumed without caffeine, L-theanine induces a very calm (and often very sleepy) state, and it is in trial stages for use as an anxiety reducing drug. However, when combined with caffeine, L-theanine is thought to increase the production of alpha waves in the brain, inducing a meditative state without making you tired." The best way to become tea drunk is drinking Japanese shade grown green tea, such as: Premium Gyokuro, Premium Matcha, although with Matcha almost all decent qualities have a noticeable effect. For spotting matcha quality I always use this reference: The more vividly green, the better its quality is. A while ago, some guy tried extremely thick matcha and blogged about it lol: http://blog.breakawaymatcha.com/really-really-really-thick-matcha/Knowing what 1 normal bowl can do to you for 2/3 hours, he took the equivalent of 12 servings in three bowls in almost the same amount of time - makes me want to try it out for myself. That is hella cool. I've never heard the term, but I'm tempted to make some matcha right now! However, I'm going to take the blog with a grain of salt- since the blogger founded a REALLY expensive matcha company ^^
Probably a good idea, I can however attest to his claims. Have tried my fair share of extra dosages and even using a little more with normal quality can make you feel ultra-relaxed without becoming light headed or hit by caffeine, as I would describe it.
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This is where I always order my matcha because they deliver within one week from the US to the EU:
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/
The flavored matcha contains I believe around 2 calories per serving.
New customers can always use my personal referral code for 50% discount: FYR54
I'd love to give some other webshops, but this is the only place with a good selection of natural flavored matcha. Especially as a beginner it helps to buy flavored matcha, because unless you have premium matcha the pure matcha flavor usually is too overwhelming for beginners.
Specific utensils are nice to have, but not at all required to prepare matcha. A regular small spoon and glass or mug will do.
Cheers
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Got a question for any Twinings Early Grey fans who have been drinking for some time...
I just recently started with Earl Grey tea. It's awesome.
But then I read, that in August, 2008 Twinings changed the flavor. It's nearly unanimous that it was a bad change.
Have they moderated the flavor back from the more lemmony change? Is it really that much worse? Is there any tea that you can recommend that is good and more like the old Twinings? Or another fantastic Earl Grey?
THANKS!
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Recently started drinking more tea, since I'm trying to move away from pop and other soft drinks and don't like the taste of coffee. Glad to see there's a group page on TL for damn near everything.
I've been drinking mostly Chai and Green teas as of late, I find black teas to be somewhat bitter (dry? not really sure of the word I'm looking for) for my tastes, except for ones that have citrus flavorings like Earl Grey. I'm still trying new things to find what I like, what are some suggestions for a drinker who likes more flavor to their tea? My current favorite is a French Vanilla Chai from Twinnings, if it's any indication, though I have one of those cups with the steeper that you put loose leaf in as well.
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On January 16 2013 00:07 Requizen wrote:
Recently started drinking more tea, since I'm trying to move away from pop and other soft drinks and don't like the taste of coffee. Glad to see there's a group page on TL for damn near everything.
I've been drinking mostly Chai and Green teas as of late, I find black teas to be somewhat bitter (dry? not really sure of the word I'm looking for) for my tastes, except for ones that have citrus flavorings like Earl Grey. I'm still trying new things to find what I like, what are some suggestions for a drinker who likes more flavor to their tea? My current favorite is a French Vanilla Chai from Twinnings, if it's any indication, though I have one of those cups with the steeper that you put loose leaf in as well.
Always good to read when someone goes from soda to tea One of the things that held me back in the beginning was that it was easy to see loose leaf tea as being expensive. I then went on to buy the lowest quality there was not knowing how price and quality are closely related (somehow their marketing can make you believe your buying emperor grade tea for a few Dollar). Drinking this stuff was disappointing, and I would then spend less on tea to lower the risk of being disappointed again. I was only able to break the vicious cycle when I bought some good quality stuff, after that I would only buy high quality stuff that was a bit more pricy.
But when comparing reasonably expensive loose leaf tea ($ 10~20 3.52 oz) to soft drinks it's still about the same price per glass. And believe me it feels like it takes ages to finish a 3.52 oz bag, especially when it's not the only you have lying around.
So with regard to your question, Taiwanese or Chinese Oolong is one of those teas that I find that people coming from black tea backgrounds appreciate the most. And because there is so much difference in the Oolongs, I would first have to know if you prefer a dark roasted, robust flavor or a sweet fruit / vegetable like flavor. Or anything in between, of course.
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I used to think Earl Grey was pretty 'natural', but after several years of intensive tea drinking, it's turned into 'flavored tea', more or less. That's generally not a good thing in my book, but I'll still drink it occasionally, with milk. Just like Chai, actually. Straight-up tea is at least 90% though. But black tea has been on the decrease for years, it's nearly all white/green/oolong nowadays...
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On January 16 2013 00:45 aseq wrote:
I used to think Earl Grey was pretty 'natural', but after several years of intensive tea drinking, it's turned into 'flavored tea', more or less. That's generally not a good thing in my book, but I'll still drink it occasionally, with milk. Just like Chai, actually. Straight-up tea is at least 90% though. But black tea has been on the decrease for years, it's nearly all white/green/oolong nowadays...
The same happened to me. If anything the chai, english blend, ceylon, earl grey will never be a gateway to try and experiment with more exotic stuff like white, green and oolong. That's a shame, because in my experience, most people that have been introduced to loose leaf hardly ever go back to the standard commercial tea bags 
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5003 Posts
On January 12 2013 05:51 peacenl wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2013 05:38 tili wrote:On January 12 2013 05:17 peacenl wrote:Somewhat funny that this was only recently found by scientific study, while Japanese Zen monks already started meditating on Matcha about 9 centuries ago It's good that it's confirmed by scientific data now, but I feel sometimes that too much deep understanding is 'forgotten' throughout the ages. Haha, really? Monks drink matcha? Yea, the brain imaging blew me away. If you find this interesting, I think this might interest you even more, most people I talk to don't know the word tea drunk yet: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teaandtisanebasics/f/What-Does-Tea-Drunk-Mean.htmTaken from that source: "Consumed without caffeine, L-theanine induces a very calm (and often very sleepy) state, and it is in trial stages for use as an anxiety reducing drug. However, when combined with caffeine, L-theanine is thought to increase the production of alpha waves in the brain, inducing a meditative state without making you tired." The best way to become tea drunk is drinking Japanese shade grown green tea, such as: Premium Gyokuro, Premium Matcha, although with Matcha almost all decent qualities have a noticeable effect. For spotting matcha quality I always use this reference: The more vividly green, the better its quality is. A while ago, some guy tried extremely thick matcha and blogged about it lol: http://blog.breakawaymatcha.com/really-really-really-thick-matcha/Knowing what 1 normal bowl can do to you for 2/3 hours, he took the equivalent of 12 servings in three bowls in almost the same amount of time - makes me want to try it out for myself.
Haha, usually two sessions with senchas are enough to get me tea drunk. It's a very nice state to be in :p
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On January 16 2013 01:03 Milkis wrote:Show nested quote +On January 12 2013 05:51 peacenl wrote:On January 12 2013 05:38 tili wrote:On January 12 2013 05:17 peacenl wrote:Somewhat funny that this was only recently found by scientific study, while Japanese Zen monks already started meditating on Matcha about 9 centuries ago It's good that it's confirmed by scientific data now, but I feel sometimes that too much deep understanding is 'forgotten' throughout the ages. Haha, really? Monks drink matcha? Yea, the brain imaging blew me away. If you find this interesting, I think this might interest you even more, most people I talk to don't know the word tea drunk yet: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/teaandtisanebasics/f/What-Does-Tea-Drunk-Mean.htmTaken from that source: "Consumed without caffeine, L-theanine induces a very calm (and often very sleepy) state, and it is in trial stages for use as an anxiety reducing drug. However, when combined with caffeine, L-theanine is thought to increase the production of alpha waves in the brain, inducing a meditative state without making you tired." The best way to become tea drunk is drinking Japanese shade grown green tea, such as: Premium Gyokuro, Premium Matcha, although with Matcha almost all decent qualities have a noticeable effect. For spotting matcha quality I always use this reference: The more vividly green, the better its quality is. A while ago, some guy tried extremely thick matcha and blogged about it lol: http://blog.breakawaymatcha.com/really-really-really-thick-matcha/Knowing what 1 normal bowl can do to you for 2/3 hours, he took the equivalent of 12 servings in three bowls in almost the same amount of time - makes me want to try it out for myself. Haha, usually two sessions with senchas are enough to get me tea drunk. It's a very nice state to be in :p
Must be premium quality then :D
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The best Tea I have ever tasted. Is eucalyptus tea. I still long to find one.
I remember it was in celestial seasonings - with a picture of a panda. But I never saw it again - in the stores.
Anyone know any good eucalyptus tea?
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Just had my first Matcha tea, bought some because I read about it in this thread. I tried whisking it quite well, but I can't get that mousse-like bubble texture that you see in demonstrations. It turns out more like the bubbles on indian tea and disappears a lot faster too. Is my temperature of 160/71 off, is it my concentration of tea or did I get lousy quality (it says Ceremonial Quality, but what do i know). Anyone has any tips? Thanks!
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On January 20 2013 04:57 aseq wrote:
Just had my first Matcha tea, bought some because I read about it in this thread. I tried whisking it quite well, but I can't get that mousse-like bubble texture that you see in demonstrations. It turns out more like the bubbles on indian tea and disappears a lot faster too. Is my temperature of 160/71 off, is it my concentration of tea or did I get lousy quality (it says Ceremonial Quality, but what do i know). Anyone has any tips? Thanks!
It's really difficult to get it right the first time. Maybe this helps (2 teaspoons worth of powder):
![[image loading]](http://i47.tinypic.com/33f9mhc.png)
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On May 25 2012 04:17 Trozz wrote:
During a work day,
I drink ~8 litres of tea.
Tea's the Gem League prize.
Holy damn! Ô_Ô that's like what, 40 cups of tea.. While working too, haha
I don't drink much tea appart from Earl Grey really - And I only really drink that when Im sick. Guess im a coffee person
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No one like eucalyptus tea?
Anyone got some good suggestions for tea during studying and gaming?
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Never seemed to able to find a good book on the types of tea. The ones that I did see were always very general in their description of what is out there. Does anyone know a good one?
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On January 21 2013 05:08 KAB00000000M wrote:
No one like eucalyptus tea?
Anyone got some good suggestions for tea during studying and gaming?
Can't go wrong with some good hojicha for either occasion, especially in the evening
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Has anyone tried Republic of Tea? I'm trying to see if they are any good.
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On February 06 2013 01:49 peacenl wrote:
Never seemed to able to find a good book on the types of tea. The ones that I did see were always very general in their description of what is out there. Does anyone know a good one?
A teataster I talked to recommended me a book called "The Tea Drinker's Handbook". I ordered it, but don't have it yet so I can't comment on it's content though.
I have some very specific books about Japanese tea, with very detailed descriptions also of very rare teas only grown in a specific area and not known outside of Japan, but it would be of no use to you unless you speak Japanese.
I would also like to know any good books about tea, particularly about Chinese tea.
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EPT
