In rec.food.drink.tea Michael Plant wrote:

> FWIW, I usually brew black teas (red teas, if you will) at
> around 195. That is quite sufficiently hot and produces a
> tastier cup of tea.

Now that's interesting. I'll give it a shot.

Ian
--
I will not weary you with descriptions of quiet,
similar, uninteresting days,--days of sleep,
and pipes, and coffee. (Sir R.F. Burton)
http://www.bookstacks.org/

In rec.food.drink.tea Michael Plant wrote:

> FWIW, I usually brew black teas (red teas, if you will) at
> around 195. That is quite sufficiently hot and produces a
> tastier cup of tea.

Now that's interesting. I'll give it a shot.

Ian
--
I will not weary you with descriptions of quiet,
similar, uninteresting days,--days of sleep,
and pipes, and coffee. (Sir R.F. Burton)
http://www.bookstacks.org/

Aloke Prasad wrote:
> "Ben S." > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Aloke Prasad wrote:
>>
>>>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black
>>>tea, saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree,
>>>but that may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>>>
>>>Has anyone else heard of this? or agree with this?
>>
>>I would say if it works for you, do it!
>
>
> But the scientist/engineer in me will wonder whether it's all psychosomatic
> or if the effect is real. It's too much to set up a blind taste test :-)
> Thus i was wondering if this belief/effect (of small amount of sugar
> improving the color of the liquor) was more widespread ...
>
>
>>I rarely drink black teas but when I do, I usually add a bit of sugar in
>>the cup, and it seems to smooth the flavor and enhance the more subtle
>>nuances which I miss when it's unsweetend. Ceylon's my exception - seems
>>better to me with no sugar.
>
>
> There wouldn't be much of an effect on taste (sweetening) of 1 tsp of sugar
> in a pot brewing 3-4 cups of tea. It was (supposedly) to improve the
> quality of the brew ...

Sounds funny, but I can tell. If my wife and I have identical cups of
the same tea, I can tell which one had a bit of sugar. In an 8 oz mug
usually I'll add less than 1/2 tsp. so I don't taste sweetness, just a
fuller flavor. Maybe the pinch per pot does something similar?

-ben

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:29:11 GMT, "Aloke Prasad"
> wrote:

>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black tea,
>saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree, but that
>may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>
Is this Chinese black tea? Most Chinese think, it's heresy to add
anything to your tea because it ruins the healthly properties. I like
it without, personally. *shrugs*



Mydnight

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

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:29:11 GMT, "Aloke Prasad"
> wrote:

>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black tea,
>saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree, but that
>may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>
Is this Chinese black tea? Most Chinese think, it's heresy to add
anything to your tea because it ruins the healthly properties. I like
it without, personally. *shrugs*



Mydnight

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

"Mydnight" > wrote in message
news
> On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:29:11 GMT, "Aloke Prasad"
> > wrote:
>
>>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black
>>tea,
>>saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree, but
>>that
>>may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>>
> Is this Chinese black tea? Most Chinese think, it's heresy to add
> anything to your tea because it ruins the healthly properties. I like
> it without, personally. *shrugs*

No. This is/was in Calcutta, India. Mostly Lipton's Green Label Darjeeling
(black) tea. They would add milk and sugar to the cup as well.
--
Aloke
----
to reply by e-mail remove 123 and change invalid to com

"Mydnight" > wrote in message
news
> On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:29:11 GMT, "Aloke Prasad"
> > wrote:
>
>>My parents used to add a pinch of sugar to the pot while steeping black
>>tea,
>>saying that it improved the quality of the brew. I think I agree, but
>>that
>>may be the placebo effect (power of suggestion).
>>
> Is this Chinese black tea? Most Chinese think, it's heresy to add
> anything to your tea because it ruins the healthly properties. I like
> it without, personally. *shrugs*

No. This is/was in Calcutta, India. Mostly Lipton's Green Label Darjeeling
(black) tea. They would add milk and sugar to the cup as well.
--
Aloke
----
to reply by e-mail remove 123 and change invalid to com

>No. This is/was in Calcutta, India. Mostly Lipton's Green Label Darjeeling
>(black) tea. They would add milk and sugar to the cup as well.

Sorry, I can only receive messages from 3 days ago, I didn't get the
full message. Ya, milk and sugar for that one! heh.



Mydnight

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

>No. This is/was in Calcutta, India. Mostly Lipton's Green Label Darjeeling
>(black) tea. They would add milk and sugar to the cup as well.

Sorry, I can only receive messages from 3 days ago, I didn't get the
full message. Ya, milk and sugar for that one! heh.



Mydnight

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