Coffee & Tea Talk

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neely

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I know this is a coffee thread, but........ I have had to give up coffee... :(
Although the title of the thread is Coffee Talk many of us also drink tea, (myself included). I'm sorry you had to give up coffee but glad to hear you're experimenting with different teas. I usually drink green tea with honey lemon ginseng in the evening.
 

maggiedemi

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About Tea: I am beginning to appreciate the differences in particular brands of teas
I wanted to change the title of this thread to Coffee & Tea Talk, but I don't know how... AbbysMom AbbysMom can you help us change it please?

I had half sweetened Almond Milk half water, heated in microwave 2 min, 3 TB French Vanilla cappuccino powder, 2 tsp Folgers instant coffee then back in microwave 30 sec. Yummy.
 

catapault

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When baking cookies last December I bought a jar of Ferrara Instant Espresso Coffee. Not that I like instant coffee but don't have an espresso machine and needed that flavor for the cookies. So here we are in the days of covid-19, cafe is doing takeout only (no Wednesday morning knitting group since like forever.) There were times when I'd order a red eye - shot of espresso in a mug, fill with "ordinary" coffee.

Having not slept well last night (Domino would you please just come under the covers and stay there, instead of in, out, bash me with your paw to lift the covers, repeat, repeat, repeat) this morning I added a spoonful of instant espresso to my morning coffee. Not the same as at the cafe but I think it is helping.

Anyone else ever done this? Any suggestions?
 

neely

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Anyone else ever done this? Any suggestions?
No suggestions since I don't drink instant coffee but you might want to consider the cheapest Nespresso machine. I bought their Inissia five years ago and got a great deal. It came with a milk frother for free. Since then many other companies have come out with their own version or you could check e-bay for a lower price. I love espresso too! 👍
 

maggiedemi

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the cheapest Nespresso machine
This sounds interesting. Does espresso have to be made a certain way? I have had espresso roast in my drip coffee maker before. I've also had instant. And in my cappuccinos from the shops.
 

neely

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Does espresso have to be made a certain way?
It's best to make espresso in an espresso machine or fly to Italy and let them make it for you, (just kidding). :lol:
But since I didn't want to spend that much $$ on a machine I treated myself to the "Nespresso" which uses their brand of pods.
Vertuo Machines | Espresso Coffee Machine Buying Guide | Nespresso USA
One of the reasons I bought it was because I was working full-time and needed a quick boost before leaving for work. It met my needs, e.g. was quick, simple to use and easy to clean. However, there are ways to get around it as mentioned here:
How to Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine
 

artiemom

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M maggiedemi , you may b able to find a small single serving Keuring machine at Walmart. I know Target usually has, but expensive.
I use mine, constantly; even to heat water for tea.

I am really not a connoisseur of teas. It is just that I have been noticing a different between the brands I buy.

I grew up on Salada. I switched to Tetley. I found them to be weak.

Twinings and Stash teas are good. I have moved on from them. I do seem to like the English Breakfast and the Irish Breakfast blends. They seem to be a bit stronger.

I get Stash Green tea, in organic decaf.

I experimented with Tazo tea---they have some really good different brews and organic brews. I love their Zen Green Tea; with some lemon grass and such. It is really good, black.

The Tazo regular blend is good. I am now finding it to be a bit mellow. it is bolder than the others; very smooth.

I tried PG Tips, from England. I can pick the up easily at my local grocery store. It is a good brand, strong, and not acidic. It is a good morning tea.

I saw Barrys Tea. It is from Ireland. I bought a box of Irish Breakfast. It is a good bold tea, but a bit more acidic.

I have been using up my last few bags of Tazo, and PG Tips; then I switched to Barrys. All of this in the space of a couple of days. This is when I noticed the differences between the teas.

In my opinion, I would prefer, in this order: PG Tips, Tazo, and then Barrys. They are all good.
These are all tea bags. I do not have the patience, equipment, and source of teas leaves; in order to brew my own. Plus it is a bit expensive.

Speaking of this, it is a very tiring day. it is after 6pm, and I feel as if I need another cup of tea!! I think I will use one of my last Tazp tea bags.

If I saw more, different brands at the store, I would buy different brands; but these are all I can seem to find in the grocery stores.
 

catapault

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Except when the knitting group was meeting on Wednesdays at the cafe, now on hiatus due to covid-19 - I only drink coffee in the morning. I make my coffee in a Moka pot. I buy locally roasted beans, Homestead Coffee Roaster's Black Eddy's Darkness. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2083/8265/products/Black-Eddy_s-Darkness-Box.jpg?v=1506092641 I grind the beans myself but not with a burr grinder.

I was only asking about the instant espresso stuff because I have it around from cookie baking in December.
 

LTS3

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I'll drink Lipton and Tetley. I don't care for Salada. I also drink a lot of oolong and jasmine teas. FooJoy is my go-to brand and I buy it at the Asian market.

I like herbal teas, too. Pukka is a good one. I like the Love tea and the Relax tea. I have locally made MEM tea on my list to try.

My brother used to get random tea bags and pyramids from a previous job. Harney & Sons has some really good teas.

Try steeping the tea for longer than the recommended time for a stronger taste. The temperature of the water matters, too. Some types of tea brew best in boiling hot water while others brew best in slightly cooler water.




Be careful with Keurig machines. Unless you take it apart and clean it thoroughly after every use, coffee residue remains inside and your cup of tea or other drink may have a slight coffee taste :barfgreen:
 

rubysmama

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Just got an email from Amazon that my delivery has been delayed and they're trying to get it back on track. It's saying it may still arrive by Wednesday. Don't they understand that I've now run out of my Cafe Mocha, so this delivery is urgent. :lol: Guess I'll have to make due with my Green Tea a bit longer. ☕
 

pearl99

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I decided to try medium roast now, I got Guatemala decaf and Java Estate beans from my local coffee shop. I like it, I use less creamer so the coffee taste comes through more (Italian Sweet Cream liquid creamer.) I'm going to ge some almond milk on my next grocery trip to try that in coffee.
 

KittyFriday

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I'm not a huge coffee fan, and I have to drink it with a lot of milk anyway as I'm really sensitive to caffeine.

I love tea, though. I like to buy loose tea, and for Christmas asked for a bunch of different kinds from a tea shop called the Tea Table in Colorado. I much prefer black teas and don't really like too much in the way of fruity flavors. I also drink my tea black, no cream or sugar :). When I was in England visiting my friend's family they were surprised at that, but I just think milk in tea is odd and I don't need the sugar.

Yesterday I opened a new bag called "Angel's Dream" and it's a blend with some fruity flavors (blackberry) but I was surprised that I liked it!
 

rubysmama

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Maybe someday, in this century, I will get into taking pics. It could happen....:thumbsup:
I hope it happens, as there's lots of threads that could use more pics. :camera:

Since my coffee/tea preferences are pretty specific, my posts are going to get repetitive soon. Unless I post pics of my mugs. :biggrin:

Here's today's Cafe Mocha, which I see on the container is actually Suisse Mocha. Or Moka Suisse en Francais. ☕

1589404555968.png
 
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