Accidental Tea-Snobbery
I will talk about my love of tea, but I never talk about it in comparison to anyone else’s love of it, no matter what it is that they like.
AJ just unwittingly set off a sound loop in my head. Anyone remember the old Kennel Ration jingle “my dogs better than your dog…” Just like that, only it’s ‘My tea’s better than yours…’ :o)
Nothing accidental about it. When people say, “Why not just drink teabags?!” I say, “I don’t do that to myself.”
Once or twice it’s gotten people offended, but usually it just makes people curious. :P
I can attest for how difficult it is to not sound like a tea snob; especially when you’re only trying to educate people and share something that tastes amazing. So many times I’ve shared a cup with someone and their response is: “I’ve never really liked tea, but this stuff is delicious!”
Fortunately, my family sees it more as a joke, making big eyes at each other whenever we have company and saying “you should ask her to make you a tea”.
What about someone that likes loose teas like Fujian Bohea or a good Wuyi Rock Oolong, or Malty Assam but for everyday drinking ..is content and happy with a cuppa Barry’s Gold bagged tea?
We’re were talking about tea on another forum. I suggested a few brands when people were talking about Teavana and bagged teas.
Don’t get why people don’t like bagged tea. Maybe it’s not always as good quality as other teas, but it’s still good…don’t always have to drink the highest quality of tea. Why not just drink what tastes good? XD
Though I admit, there are a few bagged tea companies that I really hate and totally look down on. Like Twinnings, Lipton, and Bigelow. xD Hate hate hate those brands. To me that’s crappy tea. But like Celestial Seasonings and Republic of Tea, those places are great! Who gives a crap if it’s in a bag? If it tastes good and it’s convenient that’s all that matters!
Will drink Twinnings in a pinch, their English and Irish Breakfast comes with me when I travel. I do like Republic of Tea, and they offer some loose leaf options.
That’s interesting. I think of Celestial Seasonings as really bad, but there are two Twinings teas that I really like (Black Currant and Lady Grey). I actually stock the lady grey in loose leaf, haha. I really loathe Tetley though. We’ve all got our own opinions. :)
I don’t mind bagged teas. Most of the bagged teas I drink are either herbal or flavored though, which means they aren’t effected quite as much by being in a bag. I think my version of tea snobbery is wondering why people who have only tried a handful of different teas want to stick to what they know rather than trying new things.
I like Twinings but not a huge fan of Bigelow. Difference of opinion never hurts.
LOL. Grew up mostly on Bigelow and still drink my old favorites. (Constant Comment, Mint Medley,Cozy Chamomile.) the only tea from my childhood I won’t touch now is the regular powdered tea with lemon. I do like the flavored every now and then during the summer.
Celestial Seasonings, I’ve recently gotten back into them…some of the fruit flavors are really nice.
Republic of Tea-Generally I like this company I do wish that they would sell more in smaller canisters or better yet more sample packs (One of my somewhat-local tea stores has sample packets of their most popular teas.) If I could find a place nearby that serves various RoT Teas, then that would be a great way to try more out.
Twinnings-Only tried their LEG, (Though several years ago.) I think the (individual.) tea bag/package had been in the cupboard for a long time, so that was why it tasted bad.
Tea Snob-I try to avoid doing that at least in regarding tea bags, though I have to admit when it comes to brewing something at the incorrect temp…lol. That one gets me going.
I can relate hahah. When people say they’re a tea fanatic I get really excited and bust out my gear only to discover they have a small tea ball and some dustings. I try not be judgemental and keep my tea ego in check. I do think of it though that I just want everyone to experience tea, how I experience tea :D
I totally agree! People who think they are so ‘into’ tea but have really only touched the edges. ;-p
I did have someone be snobbish to me the other day so I’m really trying to be less judgmental. I was at an Adagio store after stopping by a David’s store and the clerk asked what I bought at David’s. I took out my tin of Chocolate Rocket (Currently the love of my life!) and she looks at it and actually wrinkles her nose and says “Eww… It has artificial flavorings!” Hey personally I don’t care because the tea is so awesome to me. But it did almost make me put back the tea I was buying but I did really want the tea (Chicago Series – Magnificent ChamoMile). :)
hahaha this is so cool because I’m on the other side of the coin. I usually stick to eastern natural teas (straight, unflavored) but I’m really trying to get accustomed to western teas. I’m new to whole flavoring thing and I feel like I’m missing out on a whole new part of tea. The funny thing is though, that not that long ago, I was the “nose wrinkler” in the store xD
Oh my god I’m getting worse and worse about this. I actually start getting MAD when I see people in the tea aisle at the grocery store and they’re buying crap in tea bags. I start growling. My husband notices me getting all upset and he’s like, what’s wrong? And then he notices the idiot putting tea bags into their cart and he’s like, “oh.”
Once, someone actually asked me my opinion of a tea in the grocery store. He was very nice and said, “do you know which of these is better?” And I responded, “Neither of them is better. Both of them are inferior. If you want good tea, go find a store that offers loose leaf tea. Or look online.”
hahah and walked away mumbling “psssh which of these is better, I’ll show whats better” xD
My family members no longer buy Lipton. It maybe because I may have given long dissertations on why tea like that is nasty. They do let even use it for iced tea. My “tea-snobbery” as some may call it has converted them to drinking loose tea. Operation was a success.
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