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Enhancements to Tea Drinking
If you have followed the above procedures you will
have a quality product assuming, of course, you started
with a high quality tea. Teas, like wine, vary greatly
and nothing can turn a cheap product into a fine cup of
tea. At this juncture we would like to make a few more
comments.
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Tea drinkers generally enjoy tea at a lower
temperature than do coffee drinkers. The palate
is much more sensitive at a moderately warm
beverages than very hot. Consequently, if you
let the tea cool until the cup is comfortable to
the touch you will have a more flavorful
satisfying product. |
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Milk, sugar and other additives may suit your
palate. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy
tea. In Russia strong tea with honey or
marmalade is popular. Many people drink tea with
milk or sugar, or both. However most people feel
that Green, Oolong and Darjeeling should be
served without additives. |
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Again, there is general agreement among tea
drinkers that strong black teas such as Assams,
Ceylons, Keemuns, and blends like English
Breakfast take milk well. |
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Most tea drinkers agree that lemon alters the
flavor of any tea and has no place in a fine
tea. It should be reserved for iced teas and
teas of lesser quality. |
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When it comes to sugar there is little
agreement. Some feel that strong black tea is
better sweetened while others feel that any
sweetening distorts the flavor. If you want a
sweetener, try rock sugar. For many it is the
ideal sweetener for tea. |
A Final Word
Tea, like wine, requires knowledge to be fully
appreciated. Fortunately you can acquire knowledge of
fine teas for much less money and certainly more health
benefits than wine. If you are interested, we can help
in acquiring this knowledge which will enhance your
enjoyment of tea, which is the second most consumed
beverage in the world exceeded only by water.
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