Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 22, 2008 9:36:12 CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Ditch the Bag: Loose-Leaf Indulgence Is Your Cup of Tea

Posted Jun 13, 08 7:05 PM CDT in Opinion,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Simply dropping teabags into a mug not only yields an unsatisfying, solitary brew, Tony Turnbull writes in the Times of London—it spoils the ceremony and anticipation crucial for enjoyment. A teashop visit converted the self-described “inveterate teabag user” into a fan of the “strange alchemy” that transforms dried tea leaves into a perfect cup.

Turnbull learned to forget the Zen stuff and focus on process: A truly transcendent experience "starts not with the tea, but with the pot," (opt for Chinese clay) then focuses on the proper temperature and pouring techniques. As for the tea, buy it loose, as you would tomatoes on the vine—that way, "any faults become more visible."

Source Times (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Going Green Could Help Your Heart

    Jul 4, 08 9:50 CDT
    Going Green Could Help Your Heart Drinking green tea may help keep blood vessels elastic and healthy, a new study suggests. The flavonoids in green tea that work as antioxidants also produce the relaxing effect, which could also help prevent clots. Participants received the equivalent of three to four cups of the tea each day and showed even more improvement after a week of daily consumption, Time reports. More »

  • Coffee, Tea Not Seen to Boost Breast Cancer Risk

    May 27, 08 12:27 PM CDT
    Coffee, Tea Not Seen to Boost Breast Cancer Risk Coffee and tea don't elevate risk of breast cancer, researchers report after a 22-year study involving nearly 86,000 women. Those who drank four cups of coffee or tea—caffeinated or decaf—a day had the same incidence as those who drank a cup or less. "Coffee and tea are remarkably safe beverages when used in moderation," one scientist tells Reuters. More »

  • Gourmet Tea: The New Coffee

    Apr 8, 08 4:32 PM CDT
    Cappuccinos are commonplace, but new gourmands get their caffeine fix from tea. After falling out of favor during the Revolutionary War, tea is experiencing a comeback in the US; sales have tripled since 1990 and gourmet tea can cost thousands per pound. Portfolio pours a cupful of tips for would-be drinkers:

    1. Beware the bag: Bagged teas are usually considered lower-quality.
    More »

  • Caffeine May Double Miscarriage Risk: Study

    Jan 21, 08 9:28 CST
    Caffeine May Double Miscarriage Risk: Study Pregnant women who drink two cups of coffee a day may double their risk of miscarriage,  a new study concludes. Almost one-quarter of women in the study who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine a day—the amount in 10 ounces of coffee or 25 ounces of tea—miscarried, reports the New York Times. More »

  • Don't Cry: Onions Reduce Heart Risk

    Nov 4, 07 7:13 PM CST
    Don't Cry: Onions Reduce Heart Risk Onions and red wine can help reduce the risk of heart disease, researchers say. Both, along with tea and apples, contain a type of flavonoid compound called quercetin, which stalls chronic inflammation of the arteries. In one case, a lower dosage of the compound actually had a larger effect, the BCC reports. More »

Tea enjoyment can be as much about warming the pot or choosing your favorite china cup.   (Index Open)
Sure, loose leaf tea takes a bit more work, but who ever heard of reading a tea bag to predict your future?   (Index Open)
When it comes to teas, a uniform temperature just won't do. Experts recommend 55 Celsius for Japanese green teas, while oolongs require temps of 90C or more.   (Index Open)
Chinese clay pots, pictured here, are held in high regard for producing a softer tea than those steeped in their porcelain counterparts.   (Index Open)
A steeping cup of tea is shown here. For tea leaf fans who want to soak in the ceremony and preparation, "bags just give you too instant a hit," writes Turnbull.   (Index Open)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

tea


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »