Trusting the Tea

So here I am.

Wondering how I suddenly decided to get myself into this mess.

Oh yeah! Now I remember! It is my friends!

They have become tea connoisseurs. Meagan and Kevin have taken tea to whole new level.
It is no longer a matter of simply pouring boiling water into a mug that has a small mesh bag with some unknown leaves and buds sitting on the bottom. Stir the water. It changes colour. Smells like tea. Add a little sugar and milk if you like. Still smells like tea. Still looks like tea.

But is it tea?

Ofcourse it's tea!

But it's not real tea.

It's not special tea.

Tetley does not make special tea.

Meagan does.

And so does Kevin.

Their tea comes from places around the world. England (duh), Egypt, Africa, etc... Not No Frills. Their tea requires actual steeping. Not just letting the bag sit in hot water. Like mine does.There isn't anything wrong with Tetley or any other tea for that matter. None of them have the 'in' tea right now.

Is it packaging? Some of Meagan's tea seems to be in plastic bags. I think her Turkish (yes Turkish... like Turkey) tea may have been in two separate little plastic baggies. I can't remember. My brain was overwhelmed by the amazing smell of the Turkish Carnival tea.

I think the Carnival was from Turkey...I was always quite happy with my lowly Earl Grey. The great smell... the fact I can get it at Timmy's... It all worked out quite well for me. Until Kevin came home from England with tea.

Real English tea.I was excited and nervous, but I trust him. Like I trust Meagan. So I drank it.

And I loved it.

I have four special teas Meagan gave me for Christmas one year. They are so pretty I am afraid to drink them. I think one is from China, one from Egypt, a Lady Grey and good old English Breakfast.I was afraid of my steeper.

How much tea do I use? How long do I let it float... I mean steep... in my mug? Milk? Sugar? Does water temperature matter?!?
Meagan's mother has a tea machine. (They're not just for coffee anymore!) Meagan tosses in tea leaves and voila! Super special tea. Meagan and I had a tea party. Hats and all!! with amazing tea.

Kevin tosses loose leaves into a tea pot and pours away. Both ways turn out perfect. I love them both.

I love my tea.

So here I am. 9:30pm on a Wednesday night with my mug of...

Egyptian Chamomile that I made myself.
I don't know if it is alright or not. I didn't know how much to use and I didn't know how long to leave it steep, but I did it. Milk? Sugar? Temperature was boiling.

I think it tastes pretty good.

I think I am in love with my steeper!

Damn I love my friends!!