this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2024
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I'm usually a C2 sort of guy, but through bad luck and (my own) poor performance, I've begun my Sunday morning with a B1. Whilst a bad start to the day, I'm determined not to let it ruin what could be a good Sunday.

Where do you come in on the tea debate?

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[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (2 children)

It's not a linear scale from light to dark. There are three constituents: tea, milk and water. A weak cup of tea with a little milk looks different from a strong cup with a decent amount of milk. This should be a ternary plot.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Thank you. For years me and my siblings have always said it's possible to have a strong and milky tea.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Yeah it's not clear what the axes are in this picture. Looks more like a single scale split in 4

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

us-foreign-policy all I could think of when I saw this.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The darkness I like isn't even on there.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

You heathen!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

C3, no debate in my mind. I can accept C1 through to D2 though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

This is the correct answer.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If I'm in a cafe or something, or feeling posh, I have it with milk, and generally go for C2 onwards. I generally leave the teabag in for as long as possible, including not removing it at all - but if I'm having any milk at all, I'll have quite a bit of it.

If I'm at home/work or otherwise in control of the kettle, I drink it black and leave the teabag in throughout the whole drink.

Controversially, at home on an evening, though I leave the teabag in, I often top up the water a few times, therefore drinking progressively weaker tea as it gets later. The last cup of tea before bed is basically just hot water that remembers meeting a leafy flavour once.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Controversial, but consistent, opinion. At least you know exactly what you like.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Pure Barrys tea is the only reasonable choice and thus everything except D4 (mayyybee D3) should be considered a crime.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought my Irish mate was having me on saying Irish tea was better than British tea all those years ago. Then I picked up a box of Barry's while looking for something to do in Limerick. Now I don't let it run out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

My grandmother is from the northwest of Germany. People over there got a very unique tea culture and their own famous blends. Last time I visited her, I gave her a box of Barrys. After the first teapot was empty, she asked me to bring lots more Barrys when I visit her again.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

E5 for me. I soak and squeeze the crap out of the teebag.

A tip for everyone to get stronger tee. Put the teebag in a quarter cup of boiled water, then boil it in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the water. It releases all the favour in the bag.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

That sounds like too much tannin, but if you like that then why not. I prefer to use different tea for a stronger or milder tea flavour. I'm not trying to knock what works for you, if I had a microwave I would at least be willing to try it so I could comment with more knowledge.

You might enjoy using a loose leaf tea if you haven't tried before?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

D4, but with a shitload of sugar.

...And ice, 'cause I'm a Southerner, not a Brit. 🤪

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Before the diabetes diagnosis I used to take three sugars in my tea.

Two years later and I'm not sure I could stomach tea with sugar in it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

@Oneeightnine @grue
As a student I took three sugars. Then I moved into a house with 4 others none of whom took sugar. For everyone's convenience I went cold turkey and never looked back. Now I'd spit out tea with a quarter of a spoonful of sugar.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

American here who grew up on southern sweet tea. As an adult I cut the sugar from all tea and never looked back. Although I will occasionally put a little nip of B&B in there.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

5E (a.k.a. E5)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

That chart is different to an earlier one I saw. My partner likes C4 but she would turn her nose up at this particular C4. She too said she likes the look of C2 on this one.

Is there a standard tea colour chart to prevent quiet grumbling?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

It should be strong enough to stand the spoon up in.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No milk for me, I don't think that's covered by the chart.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I accidentally tried a milkless, sugarless tea from the work vending machine the other day and, you know what? It wasn't half bad.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Somewhere on the c range. I'm not too picky.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

American D1 gang represent

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

B3 to C2 is my preference. C3 or darker and I'm asking if the cows are on strike. B2 and lighter I'll ask if you just showed the teabag to the cup instead of putting it in.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I like my tea to be iced coffee

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Is the implication here "how much milk do you add?" Confused about the colors if that's not the answer. The option with no milk for me (but I also like white and green teas, which are nowhere near that dark color)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

C1 using whole milk, which is significant if you are only using colour as a measure of tea preference.

I think milk type could be the 3rd dimension to this chart, but that is more likely to be is brew time.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

C2 as well. it's the sophisticated choice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I'd argue that if its anything less than C4, you don't really like tea you like sweet hot milk.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Anything above row C is sinful lmao

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

C1 fight me (C2 is also acceptable)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

D4 realised a while back I don't really like the taste of milk, so went darker and darker until now I just drink black tea. Honestly I'm more of a coffee chap (snob)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That really depends in my opinion. For my taste a strong Assam needs a nice dash of fresh cream and a good amount of sugar, so I would say C2. A fine Darjeeling on the other hand should have no milk/D4, while a cheaper Darjeeling should have a small amount of milk as in D1-2. Earl Grey should always be pure, just with or without sugar, to not drown out the Bergamot aroma, so a clear D4. However, when not using loose tea but tea bags it all doesn't matter, since the main flavor component will be the paper bag anyway.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Cheap tea bags have a weird scent, but anything decent quality isn't going to taste like paper.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

B2, but I'm a filthy coffee drinking American what do I know.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

D3/D4 And a small splash of milk to round it off. At most a tablespoon (15ml) to a pint.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

"Just the tiiiiiniest splash of milk, please" /gets given builder's tea

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I’m not seeing any green tea in this list.

Feeling a little left out right now! 😅😂

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

D2 or 3, if I'm taking cream/milk, which I do for most tea.

But there's teas I prefer lemon in, like English breakfast teas, so they're full dark.

But I'm from the left side of the pond, so I dunno if I count :)

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