Favourite Tea Bags

Now we're in the cosy autumnal period, with winter still to come, it's time to break open a box of lapsang souchong.

Kwik Save no frills used to be my fav. The Woodbines of the tea-bag world. They made Yorkshire tea taste like canteen pee. A mans brew they were

4000 for a quid as well

Yorkshire here

I had a cup of Yorkshire tea with my bacon roll this morning.

Tea that has been smoked.  Lovely.

PG man here but lately they dont seem to be as strong as they were before, their are conspiracy rumours that they are putting less tea in each bag. They did just go on a special offer.

Yorkshire is a fine 2nd for me, usually down to which is on a special offer.

When my apprentice(trainees) makes my tea he knows it has to be strong but with a good amount of milk, not just an easy strong tea with little milk. ps he was the first one to tell that their is something wrong with my pg bags. I hope it was just a bad batch and not profit driven.

Yorkshire is obviously the correct answer but under no circumstances should it be drunk by southerners.

Teabags are the Devils work. Loose leaf tea is the only tea a Gentleman would entertain.

I like my tea strong - the spoon has to stand up in the cup.

Time must be allowed for the tea to brew properly. The numbers of people who don't realise this is staggering.

And those who put the milk in before the tea has had time to brew, should have it thrown in their faces or splashed up the wall of their lounge. Whichever takes your fancy.

A not I

Dr Crippen13 Oct 19 11:32

I like my tea strong - the spoon has to stand up in the cup.

Time must be allowed for the tea to brew properly. The numbers of people who don't realise this is staggering.

And those who put the milk in before the tea has had time to brew, should have it thrown in their faces or splashed up the wall of their lounge. Whichever takes your fancy

OMG

I agree with Crippen about something!

I like Assam Tea or English Breakfast or British Army Tea although the last time I had three sugars was about 35 years ago.

I am making investigations into poncy tea, delicate infusions and white tea but think that is for the summer.

PG is for peasants!

Fascinating.

Yorkshire tea without a doubt out of the branded teas, but it’s got to be Assam - be it Twinings or a Supermarket own brand.

It’s like comparing a single Malt with a blended whiskey.

For the sake of an extra 1p a bag enjoy a proper cuppa.

Yorkshire tea an overwhelming winner. Nowt comes close for me.

When tea leaves are processed, they are sorted into grades which range from high quality (i.e. orange pekoe) to low quality (i.e. dust and fannings). The tea leaves used in tea bags tend be low grade; and are in fact, predominately dust and fannings from broken down tea leaves.

Dust and fannings tend to be the left overs from tea production. They are smaller in size and have a larger surface area, which can result in the quick evaporation of essential oils.

When broken tea leaves are steeped, they can also release a plethora of tannins which create a harsh tasting flavor. Thus leaving the tea - dull, stale and lacking an aroma.

Alternatively, whole loose leafs are packed with antioxidants and claim to provide a number of health benefits; such as, to help decrease blood pressure, reduce the risk of cancer and aid in the reduction of weight loss.

Aesthetically, the natural and fresh loose leaf form provides true beauty as you can see the whole flower buds, perfectly detailed tea leaves and dried pieces of healthy fruit.

Furthermore, whole loose leafs can be sourced from a region or estate which specializes in the production of a certain loose leaf. 

The flavor profile, aroma and appearance varies yearly and can subtly change each season. Regions, estates, processing methods and growing seasons are acknowledged for their distinct aromas and flavours.

Ultimately there is a plethora of intense flavours and aromas that can be discovered with loose leaf tea than that of standardized tea blends.


When loose leaf tea leaves are steeped in water, they expand and provide a more aromatic and flavorsome cup. During this process, flavors come to life and the nutritional benefits are extracted.

However, traditional tea bags prevent tea leaves from unfurling to their true potential during infusion; thus, placing further limitations on the taste of the tea. Despite this, teabags can also come in various shapes and sizes which claim to improve the flow of tea leaves.

Unlike traditional tea bags, however, loose tea can be reinfused several times which can result in more quality for less cost. Contrarily, tea bags release all of their flavor in one cup and can only be infused once.

Generally, freshness can be problematic with traditional tea bags as they are mass produced on an industrial scale and can remain on the supermarket shelves for numerous months.

You talk a good game cooper!

I like good coffee but am lazy with tea. I have though at my disposal a Rare Tea Selection Box consisting of 9 teas.

Dong Ding Oolong
Orange Valley Darjeeling
White Funding Peony King
Imperial Golden Monkey
Fungpana Darjeeling
Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Doomur Duffung Assam
Ceylon New Vithanakande
Imperial West Lake Long Jing

I have finished the White Funding. It was great in the summer but I am inspired to put the tea bags away for a while.

Coffee is my thing. I am going to try some new coffees! I like Java Sumatra Blue Lingtong and Monsoon Malabar, which, they used to sell at Whittards.

English Breakfast Tea, loose leaf, wins by a fooking distance.

I must have missed all the tea plantations when I was driving through the Yorkshire Moors last summer.