[Ashurato]

I'm not too fond of the Lipton teas. All of them leave an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth that ruins the flavor for me. I prefer The Republic of Tea for my bagged teas and go to Teavana for my loose leaf teas.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

Haven't tried either of those I'm afraid, though I've heard of Teavana a fair amount (probably in this thread). I usually go to local shops for upper end stuff if I want something fancy. Lipton is my favourite of the grocery store teas, minus certain flavours in other brands, and not including Mighty Leaf because it's beyond my budget right now!

[Echo-chan713]

Originally Posted by Quiet Man Cometh

Electric kettles are pretty cheap these days. It was first on my list for college supplies. :). Does double duty when you have instant noodles around. ;)

where do you get them?

[Ashurato]

I do recommend Teavana (teavana.com). The price for certain teas (and tea blends) is expensive for the 2 oz minimum, but it's a very good deal considering the quality you get.

And I love that they don't have that acrid, bitter taste that certain other teas have.

[Quiet Man Cometh]

Never noticed that but I constantly over steep my teas anyway so it's not likely I'd notice. I should actually start looking around. I really like the more expensive teas but I'm too cheap to really want to get them all that often. I tried one called "Novus" that had earl grey with malva flowers that was nice. Different from the other ones I have too.

Kettles? I just get them from a wal-mart or other such store. I get the plug in electric ones on the counter. Easier than a metal guy for the stove. They range from $12 to $50 depending on the features you want. I'd avoid going too cheap though given they are electrical equipment. My old $12 guy died. I just get the standard with automatic shut off and preferably the kind with a detachable base so the cord isn't getting in the way.

[Ashurato]

We have a water boiler specifically for tea that has three settings, 175, 195, and 208 degrees F. It was rather expensive, but we're avid tea drinkers and considered it a good investment (and it certainly was) and good for other things too.

But if you use a kettle (or even boil water in a pot), it doesn't have to be fancy and just use the right temperature to steep it at. Just make sure to also have a thermometer so check the water before steeping in the tea.

[Jurinjo]

I haven't had much tea but my favorites are Chai and Peppermint. I like Chamomile for the "butterfy" feeling I get in my stomach though.

As for coffee I drink it purely for the taste. Unless I have a second job- then it's what I run off of instead of sleep. Frappecinos are one of my favorites. But you really can't go wrong with regular coffee and a little of creamer...but a lot of sugar. I loves my sugar.

[Alexander Linden]

I'm a coffee person. I really dislike the taste of tea. All but peppermint tea really.

[Jurinjo]

-high fives Alex-
Glad we don't have to disagree on good tea. =)

[Quiet Man Cometh]

I have coffee on two occasions only: Sunday dinner at my dad's house, and the occasional time I need to get up prior to 6am for work or driving (I don't drive but it's my job to stay awake and entertain the driver at that hour).

I do love the smell though. My favourite thing about working in a coffee shop was the constant coffee grounds smell. Grounds though, not necessarily the coffee.

Oh right, forgot. My new brother in law is a coffee buff, so I do occassionaly have a shot from their Nespresso or a cup of Turkish coffee when he makes it. Only time I ever had coffee when it wasn't direclty offered to me was in Rome. *That* was darn good coffee!

[Alexander Linden]

Originally Posted by Jurinjo

-high fives Alex-
Glad we don't have to disagree on good tea. =)

Peppermint tea is my drink of choice when I have a cold. Clears the sinuses right up!

[Quiet Man Cometh]

I preferred regular "mint" myself as a kid, but darn if it didn't get hard to find! :p.

[Yokuutsu]

I haven't had any weird aftertaste from Lipton tea bags...but that could've been the batches you had...or maybe it's a preference thing.

I wish Wal-Mart in my area would carry blackberry tea.

[Jurinjo]

Originally Posted by Alexander Linden

Peppermint tea is my drink of choice when I have a cold. Clears the sinuses right up!

Same here, even though I drink it even when I dont' have a cold. It also feels quite nice going down my throat too. I hear peppermint is good for settling the stomach too. (but only if made with real peppermint not artificial flavorings)

[Quiet Man Cometh]

Ginger helps stomach issues, though I haven't found it in a decent tea, and if I feel queasy I find plain green tea helps (my older sister's recommendation). I rarely drink plain green anymore unless I'm out for sushi but I have a bunch around given that I'm the tea adopter of the family. Someone has tea they want to get rid of it usually ends up with me since my cousin is a little more picky about what he has.

[Reyoki]

I'm heading to the San Mateo/San Francisco area tomorrow for about a week. Does anyone here know of any good places to get milk tea drinks in that area? I've tried Tuttimelon, and I didn't like their selection. I saw this place called Golden Island Cafe, and I was wondering if their selection is good... Is it?