Worst Tea-Related Experiences?

Haha. Yes TeaExporer, they are very close friends & they bought those k-cups just for me. That Kuereg just burned those medocre leaves right up.

For me, probably once upon a time a former friend of mine had been to Japan and taken home a couple of satchets of some sort of instant something or other which claimed to be plum tea but looked like washing powder. She gave them to me, warning me that she hadn’t liked them at all herself.

Then she got extremely offended that I found it absolutely vile. Hasn’t spoken to me since.

…that story wasn’t really particularly funny, was it?

Well, Angrboda, perhaps the joke is on your former friend. If she eliminates all friends who don’t comply with her expectations, she will be a lonely girl indeed.

I had one of those dessert type rooibos blends and I enjoyed it for a month or two. I brewed it up one day and got a funky taste like mayo! It seems that one of the ingredients in the blend must have gone rancid. I’d never tasted anything like that before in a cuppa, and I sure hope I never do again.

Buying “kettle corn” flavored tea and having it taste like nothing but chocolate (which is my least favorite flavor ever).

Feigning to know about tea when I actually knew nothing.

During my first year in Japan, 25 years ago, a girl I was attracted to asked me out to go to a tea salon. Of course, in this case I have to reply with enthusiasm right? I said I love tea and Darjeeling is my absolute favorite. Which prompted her to reply, in that case, we should go to Mariage Freres. I was thinking to myself, Mareeahj Fresh? Marriage what?

When we walked into the store, I was completely out of my element. The staff wore immaculate white suits, and the manager dressed in black was scrutinizing my attire. Faded jeans and a UCLA t-shirt. Gooo Bruins! We went upstairs to the salon and my attire caused a moment of silence when the nicely dressed women having their nice afternoon tea had a look of disapproval looking at what I was wearing.

The waiter came by to take our order. I told him I wanted Darjeeling. He asked what flush I preferred. I had to ask what’s a flush? He gave a detailed explanation. Then he asked me something about estates. I did not hear him and I looked down at the list. Puttabong? Singbuli? Namring? Jungpana? I asked if these were native tribes in India. He then gave a detailed explanation on estates.

Then I say a name I recognized, Princeton. Yeah that’s it. That’s the estate I like. Princeton. He then had to explain Princeton was a blend and not the name of an estate.

When the tea finally came and I took my first sip. At the time, it was better than any tea I had ever tasted. Absolutely fabulous.

This kind of rivals the first date I had with my wife. Tea came up in a conversation and I said I hate Matcha! I then learned she was certified and had credentials in Japanese Tea Ceremony where Matcha is the main staple. The rest of the conversation did not go so well. I have since then learned to like Matcha. Quite a lot actually. Because her Matcha is better than any Matcha I have ever tasted. Actually second best. Her instructor’s Matcha was better.

When I bought a teapot at Teaopia on a sale night, I took it home (it was boxed) only to find that they had forgotten the steeping basket. I brought it back the next day and a) the steeper didn’t fit and b) they refused to honour the sale price on another model as an exchange. They had to phone a manager who fought with us again.

Mama bear came with me and fought teeth and bone for that darn teapot. She threatened to return the teapot instead. They backed off and honoured the discount.

I still use it, though not as much as I’d like. I make so little tea (quantity) that something that fits four cups seems excessive.

I have not been to Teaopia since. I don’t even think it exists anymore.

EDIT: Teaopia was bought out by Teavana.

drinking orange pekoe at work