If you ever want to improve your Earl Grey experience, Harney and Sons Earl Grey Imperial is my go to tea for caffeine and bergamot. It leaves my mind feeling sharp and balanced.
For a headache and racing mind without racing heart or coffee gut, I have sometimes overbrewed Chinese green tea. I have no idea what brand the exchange student I met gave me, and it was probably meant to be used in lower temperature water than the standard kettle brought to a boil for Earl Grey. I should refrigerate my leaves but I don’t. I am in too much of a hurry to use a gong fu set to cool the water by pouring many small cups instead of one big mug. I wonder, is a gong fu set the sort of thing you meant by “girding yourself “ for oolong? There is a huge oolong internet rabbit hole leading to a party of Redditors singing the praises of Duck Shit oolong from Yunnan Sourcing. I haven’t tried it but am intrigued.
Did you know there are electric kettles with different temperature settings for green tea and oolong? I do not yet have one but have been researching them. I still don’t have a regular green tea habit but like loose leaf sencha without any sweetener.
They have bottled Ito-en teas at Walmart now and that activates my Tokyo convenience store and vending machine memories of everyday green or jasmine tea.
I liked your mention of navigating a cup of tea like navigating a sailboat on a lake. It reminds me of reading Thich Nhat Hanh who recommends chewing milk to properly savor it, and also settling social problems by making an appointment with the person you’re mad at to meet at the end of the week, use the time in between to settle your feelings and then meet over tea to say what one thing you are willing to do for the person you are mad at and one request you would ask them to do. Or if you settled your feelings by the end of the week, just have tea and enjoy the relationship.
The tea strategy for arguments probably works better for relationships you want to keep than for politicians you want voted out though! Politicians are totally the cause of solo brooding and attempts at a heart sutra.
Hoo ra. I drink piping hot tea all day long and twice on Sunday. Chai with extra cardomom, English breakfast, detox green, and chocolate rooibos. S'true, it's a clarity thing.
You should try it with a Sadler traditional teapot, mine cost £5 over 10 years ago from Sainsbury’s I think. It’s good strong earthenware and keeps the tea hot, I use a smaller cup with my splash of milk, but get to keep it hot from my teapot. Adds to the general good feeling drinking my tea… I do like coffee, too. But tea is for contemplating things, definitely needed now! Love your writing.
I was a boatswain's mate in a former phase of my life and you could tell by the crook of my fingers where a mug of coffee would fit. I'm sure His Majesty's boatswain's mates have similar hand deformities but of course the liquid in the container would be different than the one I slurped down on watch.
I agree, coffee seems like an OKAY WE GOT THIS drink, while tea feels more contemplative and comforting.
I’ll bet Savannah has at least one coffee/tea shop - like the kinds w the beans in the big oak barrels. They usually have tea and it’s fun to make your own blends.
No fooling there was a steaming hot cup of Irish Breakfast next to me as I opened your essay. Thanks for this eloquent take on such a noble beverage. As far as something calming and medicinal, Indica works quite well for me.
Your writing is so magnificent.
I’ve never liked tea or coffee (I’m a coke person), but this article may prompt me to take second look at tea. Calming, you say? I’ll need it in 2025.
If you ever want to improve your Earl Grey experience, Harney and Sons Earl Grey Imperial is my go to tea for caffeine and bergamot. It leaves my mind feeling sharp and balanced.
For a headache and racing mind without racing heart or coffee gut, I have sometimes overbrewed Chinese green tea. I have no idea what brand the exchange student I met gave me, and it was probably meant to be used in lower temperature water than the standard kettle brought to a boil for Earl Grey. I should refrigerate my leaves but I don’t. I am in too much of a hurry to use a gong fu set to cool the water by pouring many small cups instead of one big mug. I wonder, is a gong fu set the sort of thing you meant by “girding yourself “ for oolong? There is a huge oolong internet rabbit hole leading to a party of Redditors singing the praises of Duck Shit oolong from Yunnan Sourcing. I haven’t tried it but am intrigued.
Did you know there are electric kettles with different temperature settings for green tea and oolong? I do not yet have one but have been researching them. I still don’t have a regular green tea habit but like loose leaf sencha without any sweetener.
They have bottled Ito-en teas at Walmart now and that activates my Tokyo convenience store and vending machine memories of everyday green or jasmine tea.
I liked your mention of navigating a cup of tea like navigating a sailboat on a lake. It reminds me of reading Thich Nhat Hanh who recommends chewing milk to properly savor it, and also settling social problems by making an appointment with the person you’re mad at to meet at the end of the week, use the time in between to settle your feelings and then meet over tea to say what one thing you are willing to do for the person you are mad at and one request you would ask them to do. Or if you settled your feelings by the end of the week, just have tea and enjoy the relationship.
The tea strategy for arguments probably works better for relationships you want to keep than for politicians you want voted out though! Politicians are totally the cause of solo brooding and attempts at a heart sutra.
Hoo ra. I drink piping hot tea all day long and twice on Sunday. Chai with extra cardomom, English breakfast, detox green, and chocolate rooibos. S'true, it's a clarity thing.
I appreciate the mention of Milwaukee, a fine enclave of nice people who have fashioned themselves a modest progressive jewel.
You should try it with a Sadler traditional teapot, mine cost £5 over 10 years ago from Sainsbury’s I think. It’s good strong earthenware and keeps the tea hot, I use a smaller cup with my splash of milk, but get to keep it hot from my teapot. Adds to the general good feeling drinking my tea… I do like coffee, too. But tea is for contemplating things, definitely needed now! Love your writing.
Are we the new Tea Party? 😉
tea should always be consumed from a big ass mug, for maximum enjoyment/relaxation.
I was a boatswain's mate in a former phase of my life and you could tell by the crook of my fingers where a mug of coffee would fit. I'm sure His Majesty's boatswain's mates have similar hand deformities but of course the liquid in the container would be different than the one I slurped down on watch.
What on earth is a Lady Grey?!!
Lady Grey is like Earl Grey but with more orange and lemon peel than bergamot.
I feel like NYC bites off of everything in London, that’s why I haven’t really had the urge to ever visit. I agree about Rome. Rome is wonderful.
London is nothing like NY. You should definitely visit.
I agree, coffee seems like an OKAY WE GOT THIS drink, while tea feels more contemplative and comforting.
I’ll bet Savannah has at least one coffee/tea shop - like the kinds w the beans in the big oak barrels. They usually have tea and it’s fun to make your own blends.
I drink my tea with tons of milk and sugar. If the man’s tea is Early Grey, shouldn’t the woman’s tea be Late Grey?
No fooling there was a steaming hot cup of Irish Breakfast next to me as I opened your essay. Thanks for this eloquent take on such a noble beverage. As far as something calming and medicinal, Indica works quite well for me.
Lapsang souchong in 5 lb sacks for the win,
You inspired me to get a tea advent calendar, so I can enjoy a cup every day as I sit and plan how to dismantle the patriarchy.