Tea Time: Pain and Pleasure in the Morning

[The Pandector]

I enjoy my morning tea, which is the size of about two cups of tea and often lasts me into the early afternoon. The big-bottom captain’s mug requires two tea bags, and I have experimented with various blends. I’m pretty much settled on a hearty black tea (who could argue a name like Morning Thunder?) and lemongrass with ginger.

There are many varieties of the later, and I just love their fragrance. Before they hit the boiling water, I press a bag of each to each nostril, taking a strong mainline of blended bouquet. It is a highlight of the morning, and if it kept me awake I wouldn’t bother with drinking the tea.

One thing does bother me. If I just dip a single bag of either type, the surface of the brewed tea is clean but for a little foam. But when I enjoy the full blend, the surface always has a film of oil over the surface, which dulls the tongue if not skimmed off with a shred of paper towel. Not a chemist, I conclude that those delightful blends have some sort of chemical reaction which forms an oily residue. Wish it didn’t, but the delight is worth the extra skimming.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Tea scum: That oily film from the polyphenols, calcium carbonate, and oxygen. All About Tea Scum! WARNING: Do Not Read This Whilst Drinking Tea...

 

[The Pandector]

Tea scum: That oily film from the polyphenols, calcium carbonate, and oxygen. All About Tea Scum! WARNING: Do Not Read This Whilst Drinking Tea...

Thanks, @Neonatal RRT . I'll have to read it later, being midway through my cup.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

That shows you have an excellent source for tea. Those are essential oils and micronutrients. If it bothers you, you could put the tea bags into a tea bell. That might help keep the water cleaner.

 

[Rodafina]

big-bottom captain’s mug

Something like this?

 

[lovely_darlingprettybaby]

I enjoy my morning tea, which is the size of about two cups of tea and often lasts me into the early afternoon. The big-bottom captain’s mug requires two tea bags, and I have experimented with various blends. I’m pretty much settled on a hearty black tea (who could argue a name like Morning Thunder?) and lemongrass with ginger.

There are many varieties of the later, and I just love their fragrance. Before they hit the boiling water, I press a bag of each to each nostril, taking a strong mainline of blended bouquet. It is a highlight of the morning, and if it kept me awake I wouldn’t bother with drinking the tea.

One thing does bother me. If I just dip a single bag of either type, the surface of the brewed tea is clean but for a little foam. But when I enjoy the full blend, the surface always has a film of oil over the surface, which dulls the tongue if not skimmed off with a shred of paper towel. Not a chemist, I conclude that those delightful blends have some sort of chemical reaction which forms an oily residue. Wish it didn’t, but the delight is worth the extra skimming.

I love a good cup of tea.
I do not mind a black tea or a green tea.
I have gotten into drinking the sort of tea my mum does.
But I have to be careful of caffeine consumption.
I think tea is a very wonderful thing no matter what and often better than coffee.
I may drink coffee again but it seems coffee would have even more caffeine.
Hope you always enjoy your tea, no matter how you have it.

 

[AuAL]

That shows you have an excellent source for tea. Those are essential oils and micronutrients. If it bothers you, you could put the tea bags into a tea bell. That might help keep the water cleaner.

My finest LongJing, purchased in person from the plantation near Hangzhou, leaves a similar oily residue on the surface. An indicator of quality.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

My goto tea for relaxing is Lapsang Souchong.

 

[FayetheAspie]

I like English Breakfast and Earl Grey tea for my afternoon tea time. I also like various herbal teas as wanted or needed .