Sipdown (160)
I am questioning whether it’s me, the tea, or the water down here in Florida that is making almost all the teas I have had taste off/different than I remember. Take this one, for example. I loved this and was incredibly grateful to Roswell Strange when she sent me another little bit except when I brewed it up, it tasted like dirt. A similar thing happened a couple days back with the Damn Fine Holiday Blend. So now I’m wondering what is causing all these bad cups?
Perhaps it’s me? Tastes change and I haven’t really been drinking much tea so maybe my tastes are different now. Though, I had the holiday blend since my hiatus and enjoyed it and then I had it here and didn’t.
Perhaps it’s the equipment? No fancy kettle or frother here. Maybe the water temperature is off given I don’t have a kettle that can brew to perfect tea temps. However, the cold brews are off too and that doesn’t incorporate any equipment:
Perhaps it’s the tea? I decided to bring all my small sample in plastic bags. Some old, some new. They have been stored in a cool, dry, and dark place but still they were all left in the sample bags they arrived in from companies/other steepsterites. However, some samples have been stored for less than a couple of weeks and even they aren’t as strong or flavorful as I would imagine they should be.
Perhaps it’s the water? So now I’m left wondering if it’s something to do with the water here in Florida versus the water in Toronto that is throwing everything off. It tastes different but would it really alter the tea that much?
Perhaps it’s a combination? Whatever it is, it’s not making it easier to fall back in love with tea when half the cups are being dumped because they taste weird. On the other hand, it’s doing wonders for decreasing my cupboard size.
People who liked this
Comments
So many factors, but I wouldn’t put it past the water source for making a large enough difference itself.
I’ve read that water makes a huge difference. I use Vancouver water and a Brita, but my parents have a super fancy filter. Tea at their place tastes different.
It’s weird that the water could alter the taste soooo drastically. Teas have gone from ones I love to ones I couldn’t even drink. Maybe that’s why there isn’t really many tea stores in Florida…the water just doesn’t suit it :P
My parents have very hard, chlorinated water, and I swear every tea I brought tasted like pennies until I bought myself a brita squeeze bottle. Even then, it’s still different without my teaware and temperature control…
florida water = sulpher water imo. I hate even brushing my teeth when i’m down there visiting. so yes…i’d say it’s the water
So many factors, but I wouldn’t put it past the water source for making a large enough difference itself.
I’ve read that water makes a huge difference. I use Vancouver water and a Brita, but my parents have a super fancy filter. Tea at their place tastes different.
It’s weird that the water could alter the taste soooo drastically. Teas have gone from ones I love to ones I couldn’t even drink. Maybe that’s why there isn’t really many tea stores in Florida…the water just doesn’t suit it :P
My parents have very hard, chlorinated water, and I swear every tea I brought tasted like pennies until I bought myself a brita squeeze bottle. Even then, it’s still different without my teaware and temperature control…
florida water = sulpher water imo. I hate even brushing my teeth when i’m down there visiting. so yes…i’d say it’s the water