I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]

I've noticed Lipton and Brooke Bond with this characteristic. I've
seen it in other commercial teas with fines. I think it is little
oxygen pockets with suspended infusion as a film. A simple swish will
cause the appearance to go away. Lipton US (Brisk tea) is for making
iced tea. I think Lipton India is perfectly ok for everyday cuppa.
Lipton is just one of many commercial teas. I'd recommend British
morning blends such as English, Irish, Scottish breakfasts.

Jim

(xyz) wrote in message . com>...
> I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]

In article > (Thu, 11 Nov
2004 01:13:06 -0800), xyz wrote:

> I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> to it on the surface.

Brooke Bond Red Label does the same thing for me.

> Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag which contains the tea
> causing this?

I don't know.

> Is Lipton's black tea considered above- or below-average?

Considered by whom? I think it's above average for mass-market,
low-priced, bulk tea bags.

--
"As the majority of hobbyists must be aware, most of you
steal your software."
-- William Henry Gates III. An Open Letter to Hobbyists. 3 Feb 1976.

> Is Lipton's black tea
> considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]


Is McDonald's food considered above- or below-average?

(xyz) wrote in message . com>...
> I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]

I had been using a microwave to heat the water. The water becomes
very hot but doesn't boil. I just noticed that if I bring the water
to a boil on the stovetop, the foam doesn't occur.

(xyz) wrote in message . com>...
> I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]

I had been using a microwave to heat the water. The water becomes
very hot but doesn't boil. I just noticed that if I bring the water
to a boil on the stovetop, the foam doesn't occur.

"xyz" > wrote in message
om...
> (xyz) wrote in message
. com>...
> > I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> > recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> > to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> > which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> > considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]
>
> I had been using a microwave to heat the water. The water becomes
> very hot but doesn't boil. I just noticed that if I bring the water
> to a boil on the stovetop, the foam doesn't occur.

Personally, I think water that was microwaved produces tea with a different
flavor profile than water heated conventionally. I prefer the taste of tea
with the latter, although there are times (e.g., when traveling) when tea
from microwaved water is better than nothing.

Anyone else have an opinion about this?

Regards,
Dean

"DPM" > wrote in message news:<af2ld.3483$4U1.2529@trndny05>...
> "xyz" > wrote in message
> om...
> > (xyz) wrote in message
> . com>...
> > > I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> > > recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> > > to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> > > which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> > > considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]
> >
> > I had been using a microwave to heat the water. The water becomes
> > very hot but doesn't boil. I just noticed that if I bring the water
> > to a boil on the stovetop, the foam doesn't occur.
>
> Personally, I think water that was microwaved produces tea with a different
> flavor profile than water heated conventionally. I prefer the taste of tea
> with the latter, although there are times (e.g., when traveling) when tea
> from microwaved water is better than nothing.
>
> Anyone else have an opinion about this?
>
> Regards,
> Dean


Dear Dean, I completely agree with you. I think the water itself has
to be aerated (kind of like percolated) by using a kettle. The
microwave only seems to rub water molecules together and makes it sort
of flat, but I personally feel somehow that kettle water is more
appropriate for the jumping element necessary in good tea preparation.

As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
Viva la revolucion!

"DPM" > wrote in message news:<af2ld.3483$4U1.2529@trndny05>...
> "xyz" > wrote in message
> om...
> > (xyz) wrote in message
> . com>...
> > > I just made a cup of Lipton's black tea (The Brisk Tea). I've
> > > recently begun to notice that the tea has a foamy or sudsy appearance
> > > to it on the surface. Has the tea been over-fermented? Is the bag
> > > which contains the tea causing this? Is Lipton's black tea
> > > considered above- or below-average? [I'm using bottled, spring water.]
> >
> > I had been using a microwave to heat the water. The water becomes
> > very hot but doesn't boil. I just noticed that if I bring the water
> > to a boil on the stovetop, the foam doesn't occur.
>
> Personally, I think water that was microwaved produces tea with a different
> flavor profile than water heated conventionally. I prefer the taste of tea
> with the latter, although there are times (e.g., when traveling) when tea
> from microwaved water is better than nothing.
>
> Anyone else have an opinion about this?
>
> Regards,
> Dean


Dear Dean, I completely agree with you. I think the water itself has
to be aerated (kind of like percolated) by using a kettle. The
microwave only seems to rub water molecules together and makes it sort
of flat, but I personally feel somehow that kettle water is more
appropriate for the jumping element necessary in good tea preparation.

As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
Viva la revolucion!

>
> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
> Viva la revolucion!

This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
volume of waste!!

>
> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
> Viva la revolucion!

This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
volume of waste!!

>
> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
> Viva la revolucion!

This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
volume of waste!!

Helga 11/16/04


>>
>> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
>> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
>> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
>> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
>> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
>> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
>> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
>> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
>> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
>> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
>> Viva la revolucion!
>
> This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
> processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
> making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
> talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
> do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
> swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
> even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
> volume of waste!!

Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Helga 11/16/04


>>
>> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
>> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
>> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
>> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
>> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
>> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
>> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
>> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
>> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
>> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
>> Viva la revolucion!
>
> This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
> processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
> making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
> talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
> do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
> swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
> even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
> volume of waste!!

Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Michael Plant > wrote in message >...
> Helga 11/16/04
>
>
> >>
> >> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
> >> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
> >> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
> >> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
> >> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
> >> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
> >> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
> >> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
> >> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
> >> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
> >> Viva la revolucion!
> >
> > This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
> > processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
> > making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
> > talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
> > do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
> > swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
> > even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
> > volume of waste!!
>
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Surely that is just a subjective statement, after all a lot of the
worlds tea drinking population enjoy tea made from this particular
grade and they can't all be thinking "this is crap" as they drink
their tea. Tea is a drink of the masses in many societies what right
have any of us to condem how they might enjoy it??

Michael Plant wrote:
>
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?

--crymad

Michael Plant wrote:
>
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?

--crymad

Helga 11/16/04


> Michael Plant > wrote in message
> >...
>> Helga 11/16/04
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
>>>> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
>>>> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
>>>> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
>>>> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
>>>> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
>>>> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
>>>> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
>>>> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
>>>> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
>>>> Viva la revolucion!
>>>
>>> This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
>>> processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
>>> making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
>>> talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
>>> do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
>>> swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
>>> even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
>>> volume of waste!!
>>
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> Surely that is just a subjective statement, after all a lot of the
> worlds tea drinking population enjoy tea made from this particular
> grade and they can't all be thinking "this is crap" as they drink
> their tea. Tea is a drink of the masses in many societies what right
> have any of us to condem how they might enjoy it??

Yes, you are quite right. Dust is a tea for the masses, and it's crap. This
is an objective statement of fact that has nothing whatsoever to do with my
opinion, which might be different.

Michael

Helga 11/16/04


> Michael Plant > wrote in message
> >...
>> Helga 11/16/04
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>> As for the foam, it is likely extremely fine dust and foreign
>>>> particles rising to the top as bulk teas in the US and Europe are dust
>>>> and refuse from the production room floor (personally verified to me
>>>> by the Sri Lankan consulate two weeks ago). We can just barely regard
>>>> that stuff as tea (percentage wise). This is just another reason why
>>>> the US government tries so hard to keep European companies like Lipton
>>>> from dumping their low-quality crap in the US by being the only
>>>> country in the world with tea import regulations (that don't seem to
>>>> work). Don't buy it. We should refuse that just like our founders did
>>>> in Boston harbor. (And Charleston harbor for history buffs out there.)
>>>> Viva la revolucion!
>>>
>>> This is slanderous and ikllogical - you need to take yourself to a tea
>>> processing factory in one of the tea producing countries and watch the
>>> making and grading of tea - Dust IS a grade of tea! Or for that matter
>>> talk to an expert in the processing and grading of tea - why oh why
>>> do these urban myths continue - what volume of tea would need to be
>>> swept to fill the worlds tea bag production? Tea would need to be
>>> even more uneconomic for the producers then it is if that was the
>>> volume of waste!!
>>
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> Surely that is just a subjective statement, after all a lot of the
> worlds tea drinking population enjoy tea made from this particular
> grade and they can't all be thinking "this is crap" as they drink
> their tea. Tea is a drink of the masses in many societies what right
> have any of us to condem how they might enjoy it??

Yes, you are quite right. Dust is a tea for the masses, and it's crap. This
is an objective statement of fact that has nothing whatsoever to do with my
opinion, which might be different.

Michael

11/16/04

>
>
> Michael Plant wrote:
>>
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?
>
> --crymad

Macha is now officially excluded from the Tea Dust Crap catagory.

crymad > wrote in message >...
> Michael Plant wrote:
> >
> > Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> > produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?
>
> --crymad

Viva la revolucion! (And yes, I realize it is a grade of crap and I
realize the world's uneducated are duped into buying it and I realize
that until they know what they are buying they will continue this and
it is our job to educate them, so that at least they KNOW they are
buying the absolute lowest grade product available anywhere.)

crymad > wrote in message >...
> Michael Plant wrote:
> >
> > Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> > produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?
>
> --crymad

Viva la revolucion! (And yes, I realize it is a grade of crap and I
realize the world's uneducated are duped into buying it and I realize
that until they know what they are buying they will continue this and
it is our job to educate them, so that at least they KNOW they are
buying the absolute lowest grade product available anywhere.)

Rufus T. 11/17/04


> crymad > wrote in message
> >...
>> Michael Plant wrote:
>>>
>>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>>
>> I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?
>>
>> --crymad
>
> Viva la revolucion! (And yes, I realize it is a grade of crap and I
> realize the world's uneducated are duped into buying it and I realize
> that until they know what they are buying they will continue this and
> it is our job to educate them, so that at least they KNOW they are
> buying the absolute lowest grade product available anywhere.)

No, Rufus. Macha is good with a long distinguished history. Tea dust crap is
bad. The test: Do they muck up their Macha with milk and sugar?

Michael

Rufus T. 11/17/04


> crymad > wrote in message
> >...
>> Michael Plant wrote:
>>>
>>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>>
>> I'm no devotee of Macha, but isn't this a little harsh?
>>
>> --crymad
>
> Viva la revolucion! (And yes, I realize it is a grade of crap and I
> realize the world's uneducated are duped into buying it and I realize
> that until they know what they are buying they will continue this and
> it is our job to educate them, so that at least they KNOW they are
> buying the absolute lowest grade product available anywhere.)

No, Rufus. Macha is good with a long distinguished history. Tea dust crap is
bad. The test: Do they muck up their Macha with milk and sugar?

Michael

Michael Plant > wrote:
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Respectfully, Michael, I swear I've had good tea from a dust-filled
teabag: recently produced by a quality company (e.g., Barry's), well-stored,
with boiling water. Freshness, storage and water temperature are well
more than half the battle for black tea, says my palate. I'd even order
standard food-service supply bag tea at local restaurants if they were served
and stored decently. They almost never are, of course.

Still friends,

Rick.

Rick /17/04


> Michael Plant > wrote:
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> Respectfully, Michael, I swear I've had good tea from a dust-filled
> teabag: recently produced by a quality company (e.g., Barry's), well-stored,
> with boiling water. Freshness, storage and water temperature are well
> more than half the battle for black tea, says my palate. I'd even order
> standard food-service supply bag tea at local restaurants if they were served
> and stored decently. They almost never are, of course.
>
> Still friends,
>
> Rick.
>

I say we vote him OFF THE ISLAND.
Next.

Michael

PS: Someday, when we're sitting down to tea together, I'll tell you one of
my dirtiest little secrets.

Rick /17/04


> Michael Plant > wrote:
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.
>
> Respectfully, Michael, I swear I've had good tea from a dust-filled
> teabag: recently produced by a quality company (e.g., Barry's), well-stored,
> with boiling water. Freshness, storage and water temperature are well
> more than half the battle for black tea, says my palate. I'd even order
> standard food-service supply bag tea at local restaurants if they were served
> and stored decently. They almost never are, of course.
>
> Still friends,
>
> Rick.
>

I say we vote him OFF THE ISLAND.
Next.

Michael

PS: Someday, when we're sitting down to tea together, I'll tell you one of
my dirtiest little secrets.

"PS: Someday, when we're sitting down to tea together, I'll tell you
one of
my dirtiest little secrets."


I'm guessing....you secretly love Lipton decaf with evaporated milk
and three spoons of sugar? It's nothing to be ashamed of Michael,
we...well we might not understand but we accept you anyway. Right
people?


Melinda who not-secretly loves Williamson and Magore English blend in
bags with milk and sugar at the moment. Alternating with sencha. I
don't question it..::sigh:: ain't tea wonderful?

"PS: Someday, when we're sitting down to tea together, I'll tell you
one of
my dirtiest little secrets."


I'm guessing....you secretly love Lipton decaf with evaporated milk
and three spoons of sugar? It's nothing to be ashamed of Michael,
we...well we might not understand but we accept you anyway. Right
people?


Melinda who not-secretly loves Williamson and Magore English blend in
bags with milk and sugar at the moment. Alternating with sencha. I
don't question it..::sigh:: ain't tea wonderful?

Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.

I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.

Ripon
Vienna,VA



Michael Plant > wrote in message
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.

I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.

Ripon
Vienna,VA



Michael Plant > wrote in message
> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Ripon,

Thank you for reminding me to mention to Crymad that Macha is truly a
powder, but "dust," otherwise known as "crap," is composed of small bits of
leaf sold for less than a handful of pennies a kilo for no reason at all
beyond economics. The rich get richer and the poor drink dust. Sorry, Ripon,
but my grandfather who was a tea merchant toward the end of the 19th century
told me this, and I stick with his wisdom.

Michael


11/18/04


> Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
> information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
> tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.
>
> I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
> can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.
>
> Ripon
> Vienna,VA
>

>> Michael Plant > wrote in message
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Ripon,

Thank you for reminding me to mention to Crymad that Macha is truly a
powder, but "dust," otherwise known as "crap," is composed of small bits of
leaf sold for less than a handful of pennies a kilo for no reason at all
beyond economics. The rich get richer and the poor drink dust. Sorry, Ripon,
but my grandfather who was a tea merchant toward the end of the 19th century
told me this, and I stick with his wisdom.

Michael


11/18/04


> Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
> information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
> tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.
>
> I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
> can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.
>
> Ripon
> Vienna,VA
>

>> Michael Plant > wrote in message
>> Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
>> produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 13:13:54 GMT, Michael Plant >
wrote:

>
>Ripon,
>
>Thank you for reminding me to mention to Crymad that Macha is truly a
>powder, but "dust," otherwise known as "crap," is composed of small bits of
>leaf sold for less than a handful of pennies a kilo for no reason at all
>beyond economics. The rich get richer and the poor drink dust. Sorry, Ripon,
>but my grandfather who was a tea merchant toward the end of the 19th century
>told me this, and I stick with his wisdom.
>

Michael:

You are indeed right. Many Chinese refer to it as floor sweepings;
also the sort of tea that is served in Chinese restaurants on the
mainland.

Your grandfather was a tea merchant. That sounds facinating. Do
tell!


Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

This is getting very interesting. Matcha shouldn't be categorized
alongside the stuff that Lipton and Tetley and those other leftovers
of the evil empire sell. (humorous side note - apparently the Queen of
England drinks Lipton because they are the longest-remaining of the
emperial tea companies) Have you seen how small retailers make matcha
with those grinding machines? It is a very personal thing, usually,
and someone is actually checking the outcome. Sweepings are a
different matter all together and the price usually signifies that.
CTC is a wonderful process, which offers high flavor content with low
volume, better than orthodox could ever hope for, but Americans are
forced to drink the lowest quality due to sheer lack of product
information. I don't even think we can put Japanese tea in the same
league as other teas. Do you know that certain areas here in Japan
still refuse to use machinery in picking leaves because they feel it
destroys the integrity of the leaf? It's not like they haven't got the
cash. What refined business models. People here buy it because they
have the sense to know. What an amazing standard for the rest of the
world to emulate. I sincerely hope that one day my countrymen will
have the refined sense to appreciate this.

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

(Ripon) wrote in message . com>...
> Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
> information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
> tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.
>
> I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
> can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.
>
> Ripon
> Vienna,VA
>
>
>
> Michael Plant > wrote in message
> > Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> > produced for our consumption is irrelevant.

Actually I think I made a mistake. It should have been Twinings that
her Queenship drinks. I read that in a Japanese book on tea. I guess I
should stay off the dust when posting.

Rufus

(Rufus T. Firefly) wrote in message . com>...
> This is getting very interesting. Matcha shouldn't be categorized
> alongside the stuff that Lipton and Tetley and those other leftovers
> of the evil empire sell. (humorous side note - apparently the Queen of
> England drinks Lipton because they are the longest-remaining of the
> emperial tea companies) Have you seen how small retailers make matcha
> with those grinding machines? It is a very personal thing, usually,
> and someone is actually checking the outcome. Sweepings are a
> different matter all together and the price usually signifies that.
> CTC is a wonderful process, which offers high flavor content with low
> volume, better than orthodox could ever hope for, but Americans are
> forced to drink the lowest quality due to sheer lack of product
> information. I don't even think we can put Japanese tea in the same
> league as other teas. Do you know that certain areas here in Japan
> still refuse to use machinery in picking leaves because they feel it
> destroys the integrity of the leaf? It's not like they haven't got the
> cash. What refined business models. People here buy it because they
> have the sense to know. What an amazing standard for the rest of the
> world to emulate. I sincerely hope that one day my countrymen will
> have the refined sense to appreciate this.
>
> Rufus T. Firefly
> Tokyo
>
> (Ripon) wrote in message . com>...
> > Oh dear Michael, Dust from crap? Don't live with this wrong
> > information. I don't know who gave you this information. Just want to
> > tell you this- this is wrong, very wrong.
> >
> > I always enjoy good grade dust tea. Dust, BOP all of this graded tea
> > can be better then many orthodox good looking full leaves tea.
> >
> > Ripon
> > Vienna,VA
> >
> >
> >
> > Michael Plant > wrote in message
> > > Dust is crap. The question of whether it's swept off the floor or lovingly
> > > produced for our consumption is irrelevant.