#tea guide

[ask-barbatos]

While the purity of Camellia Sinensis is a marvel in itself, the world of tea extends far beyond the simple leaf that is often called a True Tea. Let's talk about flavor-infused tea.

Infused tea

The practice of infusing tea with flavors dates back centuries, with evidence of flavored teas found in ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. Early methods of infusion involved adding herbs, spices, or flowers directly to the tea leaves during steeping. Over time, more sophisticated techniques were developed, such as extracting essential oils from aromatic plants and adding them to the tea.

Today, infused teas are typically created using one of two methods:

Direct Infusion: The most common method involves adding dried herbs, spices, or fruits directly to the tea leaves before steeping. This allows the flavors to infuse naturally into the tea, creating a harmonious blend.

Flavoring Oils: Essential oils extracted from aromatic plants can be added to the tea after steeping. This method allows for precise control over the intensity of the flavor and can be used to create subtle or bold infusions.

One of the most renowned flavor-infused teas is Earl Grey, a black tea infused with the fragrant oil of bergamot orange. The citrusy notes of bergamot dance harmoniously with the rich, full-bodied flavor of black tea, creating a truly exquisite beverage. Earl Grey is a versatile tea that can be enjoyed hot or iced, and it pairs well with a variety of foods.

Aside from Earl Grey, the world of flavor-infused teas is vast and varied. From the delicate floral notes of jasmine tea to the bold fruity flavors of berry teas, there is a flavor combination to suit every palate.

Pictured above: (top) Jasmine infused green tea from Fujian Tea Import & Export Co., (bottom) Blood Orange herbal tea from Harney & Sons Fine Teas. [Blend: Apple pieces, rose hips, hibiscus, beetroot, orange peel, orange flavor, marigold petals, safflower petals.]

Some of the other popular flavor-infused teas include:

Jasmine Tea: A green tea infused with jasmine flowers, offering a delicate floral aroma and a slightly sweet taste.

Chai Tea: A black tea spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, creating a warm and comforting blend.

Fruit Teas: A variety of teas infused with fruit flavors, such as strawberry, raspberry, or peach, providing a sweet and tangy taste.

Fruit teas are excellent for cold-brewed iced tea. I will cover cold-brewing later, so please look forward to that.

When choosing a flavor-infused tea, consider your personal preferences and the occasion. A delicate floral tea might be perfect for a relaxing afternoon, while a bold and spicy chai tea could be a comforting choice on a cold day.

The choice of infusion depends on the desired flavor profile and the characteristics of the ingredients being used. For example, delicate floral flavors may be best achieved using direct infusion, while strong, bold flavors can be created using flavoring oils.

If you wish to create your own infused tea, that will have to be a separate post. For now, it is enough to be able to identify the tea you are brewing so that you can handle it appropriately.

Brewing infused teas requires a balance of technique and intuition. First, identify the ingredients. When brewing a cup of tea, it's good to know what temperature and length of time to steep your tea for.

A tea labeled "Peach" may be a white tea with peach flavoring, and it may be best to brew it at a temperature appropriate for white tea. Blends may consist of varying ingredients that require different temperatures, so some experimentation may be in order to find the best brewing temperature to get the most of each flavor.

Herbal tea

Beyond the True Tea, there lies a world of herbal teas, each offering a unique blend of flavors and health benefits. Herbal teas are made from a variety of plants, including herbs, spices, and fruits. They are often enjoyed for their medicinal properties, as well as their delicious taste.

As no part of an herbal tea contains the Camellia Sinensis plant, these teas are not considered "True Teas". That does not mean we cannot enjoy them, however.

For the most part, an herbal tea will not contain any caffeine, unlike the tea produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant. This makes them more suitable to enjoy in the evening or late hours.

Pictured above: (from top to bottom) Roses, honeysuckle, chrysanthemums, mint and lavender.

Some popular herbal teas include:

Chamomile Tea: Made from chamomile flowers, this tea is known for its calming and relaxing properties.

Peppermint Tea: Made from peppermint leaves, this tea is refreshing and aids digestion.

Ginger Tea: Made from ginger root, this tea is warming and can help soothe an upset stomach.

Hibiscus Tea: Made from hibiscus flowers, this tea has a tart, fruity flavor and is rich in antioxidants.

As with many blends, it is helpful to experiment a little with the temperature and steep time to get the most of your tea. Intuition will follow experience.

The ideal steeping temperature for infused teas and herbal teas can vary depending on the specific ingredients and desired flavor intensity. However, here are some general guidelines:

Delicate floral or fruity teas: 175-185°F (79-85°C)

Bold, spicy teas: 195-212°F (90-100°C)

Herbal teas: 175-212°F (79-100°C), depending on the specific herbs used

Serving suggestions: Cream is usually not served with fruit teas, as the acidity in some will cause the milk to curdle. Lemon slices are commonly served with Earl Grey, however, as with the fruit tea, lemon can also cause cream to curdle. Sugar or honey are appropriate for nearly any tea.

It's always a good idea to experiment with different temperatures to find the perfect brew for your taste. I hope this has been informational and helpful to my students who wish to become better acquainted with tea.

[leonaquitaine]

Tea: Tsai Tou Vounou

With a sophisticated aroma and velvety taste, the "Mountain Tea" often disguises its traditional roots as a herbal drink with healing abilities. Let's learn more about this wonderful gift from the highlands of Ilsabard!

(Enjoy your April Fools' Day, everyone!)

[xinyuehui]

Mu jiejie~~~~ (*´ﾉ∀`*)

Love Game in Eastern Fantasy · 2024

[pain-del-doge]

My brain haunted me w this the second I finished my pieces for a mass collab until I did this. Honestly this was funnier in my head-

Bonus:

[teashopcrafts]

Very proud of the newest Hitchhiker's Guide Towel, and was so excited to get the commission for an older project to give it new life.

Now they can always know where their towel is, lol.

Use code JUSTBECAUSE for 20% off your order!

Check out the shop: https://teashopcrafts.bigcartel.com/

[grandapplewit]

AU where Shen Yuan, soon after Binghe falls into the Abyss, loses all his memories of Shen Qingqiu. He assumes that he transmigrated into some no name NPC, and enjoys his life as a rogue cultivator completely oblivious to the Heavenly Demon and multiple Peak Lord’s tearing the world apart trying to find him.

[springsteens]

herbal teas guide —

🌿🍃 having conversations with my mutuals all over the world, i was stunned to find out that not every country/culture practices drinking herbal teas for health issues. as a slavic person i decided to create this little guide because – and i'm saying this as a skeptical person who hates superstitions – they really work. 🍃🌿

mint tea (mentha piperita) is for digestion and relaxation chamomile tea (matricaria chamomilla) is for digestive system horsetail tea (equisetum arvense) is for skin, hair, nails condition, remineralization and circulatory system linden tea (tilia cordata) is for a cold lemon balm tea (melissa officinalis) is for relaxation and sleep nettle tea (uritca dioica) is for urinary tract sage tea (salvia officinalis) is for when your throat or teeth hurt fennel tea (funiculum vulgare) is for digestive system white mulberry tea (morus alba) is for carbohydrate metabolism pansy tea (viola tricolor) is for clean skin and body detox purge tea (cistus incanus) is for immunity hawthorn tea (crataegus monogyna) is for heart and circulatory system damian leaves tea (turnera diffusa) is for anxiety and libido dandelion tea (taraxacum officinale) is for liver, stomach and digestion st john's wort tea (hypericum perforatum) is for emotional balance, good mood, digestive system and kidney function

🌿🍃 to create this guide i was using a booklet from my pharmacy store. if you google them, you will find out that each of these have even more usage methods than the ones listed. 🍃🌿

🌿🍃 if you're from a different country/culture and you know more herbal teas like these, feel free to add them. 🍃🌿

[ceylonteadragon]

Tea Dragon Guide

[unhealthyobsessionslol]

October is going to be craaaazy!!!🥵

- Heartstopper Season 3

- Joe Locke in "Agatha: Darkhold Diaries"

- Kit Connor in "A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow"

- Kit Connor in "Romeo and Juliet"

I'm going to die.🫠

[nicheguides]

How to Worship your Local Matcha Girl

dont let Her Holiness become wrathful, her eldrich powers will detroy us all if you dont take the steps to honor her divinity

[ask-barbatos]

I have often been tasked with the preparation of various beverages for my master, Diavolo. While loose-leaf tea is undoubtedly the superior choice for those seeking the ultimate tea experience, I have found myself pondering the merits of bagged tea.

Greetings, students of tea. Today, I'd like to delve into a topic that has intrigued me for centuries: the eternal debate between loose leaf tea and bagged tea. As a demon with a refined taste for the finer things in life, I've had my fair share of both. Let's explore the nuances that set these two apart.

While both forms of tea offer a warm, comforting beverage, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to each. To start, let's examine some of the qualities of loose leaf tea.

Superior Taste: Loose leaf tea allows the leaves to fully unfurl and infuse the water with their unique flavors and aromas. This results in a richer, more complex cup of tea compared to the restricted infusion of bagged tea.

Fresher Tea: Loose leaf tea is generally fresher than bagged tea as it is often sold in smaller quantities and packaged closer to the source. This ensures that you're enjoying the tea at its peak flavor.

Greater Variety: The world of loose leaf tea offers an endless array of varieties, from classic black and green teas to matcha and oolong. Many different infusions and blends can be found or made. This variety allows you to experiment and find your perfect cup.

Tea Farmers: If possible, consider purchasing tea directly from tea farmers. This ensures that you're supporting sustainable practices and getting a truly authentic product.

While loose leaf tea has its merits, it's important to know why many prefer loose leaf over bagged. Let's examine some of the reasons why someone might pass over bagged tea:

Flavor: The flavor can be less intense and lack the complexity of loose leaf tea. Many of the bagged teas labeled black come from many different regions instead of sourced from one. This can dilute any complexities in flavor that can be particular to a region.:

Quality: While bagged tea can be a convenient option, it often falls short in terms of quality. The tea leaves used in bagged tea are typically dust and fragments left behind by loose tea. This can result in a less flavorful and less aromatic cup of tea.

Environmental Impact: The use of tea bags can have a negative impact on the environment. Many tea bag wrappings are made from plastic, including some of the silly fabric bags, which can take hundreds of years to decompose. Additionally, the paper used to make tea bags is often bleached with harmful chemicals.

There are benefits, however, to choosing a bagged tea over a loose leaf. The aspects that may lead you to choose bagged tea are worth exploring.

Availability: Can be found in many marketplaces and convenience stores.

Steeping Time: Due to being in small fragments, bagged tea often requires a shorter steeping time than loose-leaf tea. With a simple dip and dunk, a cup of tea can be enjoyed in a matter of moments. This makes it ideal for those who are pressed for time or simply desire a quick caffeine fix.

Consistency: One of the advantages of bagged tea is its consistency. Each tea bag contains a pre-measured amount of tea leaves, ensuring that every cup is brewed to the same strength and flavor. This can be particularly appealing to those who prefer a predictable tea experience.

Portability: Bagged tea is highly portable, making it a convenient option for those who wish to enjoy a cup of tea on the go. Simply pack a few tea bags in your luggage or purse, and you can savor the comforting warmth of a steaming cup of tea wherever your travels may take you.

Affordability: Can be more affordable than loose leaf tea, especially for those seeking a quick and easy tea fix.

The choice between loose leaf tea and bagged tea ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you prioritize flavor, quality, and a more immersive experience, loose leaf tea may be the ideal choice. However, if convenience and affordability are your primary concerns, bagged tea can be a suitable option.

Remember, regardless of your chosen method, tea offers a delightful and comforting beverage that can be enjoyed in various ways. Experiment, explore, and discover your favorite tea brewing technique.

So, my dear students, which side do you fall on? Are you a lover of loose leaf tea, or do you find convenience to be paramount? Share your thoughts, and let's continue this delightful discussion.

[summertimemusician]

Linktober 2024, Day 1, Mirror (Self)

Alright here we go again.

Technically a sneak peak of a bigger thing to come in the future that I'm repurposing, and the result of my final playthrough and readthrough before EoW dropped being Four Swords Adventures and that made me sad about Shadow Link again.

Note that this is for the Four Swords Adventures iteration of Shadow Link that might evolve into an LU Shadow, not Dark Link in either LOZ or LU, I have other plans for him.

This one shot was brought to you by Scars by The Crane Wives, Ribs by The Crane Wives, Ruin by The Amazing Devil and Two Minutes by The Amazing Devil because the author's playlist decided to be incredibly cheeky when they blacked out to write this like an ancient seers being cursed with visions and then called mad and hearing they've been put up for execution.

As always the nature of the relationship can be romantic or platonic, mostly due to the author's time constraints and further plans.

Anyway enjoy the reading!

It was cold.

The sort of cold after a wildfire, when everything's turned back to ash, the sort that left burned your vision white after the flames licked through your veins and left an ache in your bones. He shuddered, coughed black onto the stone floor, shaking with a muffled whimper.

It never got any easier, being dragged from the Dark World and into the Realm of Light, the goddesses' world itself revolting against an intruder, wanting the wound torn asunder into their oh so precious realm cauterized. To purge the intrusion and smite it where it stands.

Too bad for them (and for him), his master didn't particularly care about what the world wanted. Didn't particularly care that he hadn't grow accustomed to the pain or the cold, he had to stand up. There was work to be done.

(Shadow gritted his teeth, willed himself not to think about the prophecy of a golden haired princess- because whether he liked it or not, it was prophecy. As those with divinity running through their veins are wont to spill from their throats so carelessly- of violet eyes and a smile a third moonlight and hands holding a hammer.

It always hurt more, after one of the heroes liberated one of the maidens, or the jewels, the pain lingering for days afterwards and carving a home in his metaphorical bones. But just this once he'd take the cold bite of the Four Swords over the pain in the hole in his chest that Vio's betrayal had left, something that felt so much worse than every other time before.

Just this once he wished that maybe, just maybe, the hurt would be too much to bear, that he wouldn't wake up again-

Why? Why does it hurt so much but he's still here? He already knew the Light was uncompromising and unforgiving, but he thought them at least above curses.)

His ears twitched as soft, almost silent footsteps came up to his side. Someone crouching by his fallen form, setting a cautious hand over his own that Shadow couldn't help but draw away from with a hiss, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the world again, to your face, carefully blank as you guided him to lean against your side, a silver choker with a crimson gem winked mockingly at him, the shade closing his eyes and going boneless against your side.

Shadow was so, so tired.

He heard you quietly sigh, plucking his cap from his head and running your fingers through dark amethyst, smoke and mist made hair. "I told you so."

"Shut up." He grumbled, nuzzling further into the crook of your neck. One clawed hand curling against your free wrist, digging into the skin. Absentmindedly noting there were new scratches just above the metal.

It was routine by now, the warmth of your existence against his own a welcome balm, not quite of the Realm of Light where it's unpleasant, not too close to the Dark World where he felt like melting back into the embrace of the darkness, only to howl in agony at being dragged out.

Memories not quite his own bled into his mind all the time. How you'd shape ice into flowers for the princess in winter with nary a though, of blinking and from one second to the next you'd have whatever sword he had hostage if you though it was time for a break with a smile brighter than the sun.

His master had changed that though. It took months for you to stop trying to claw the collar out and to stop trying to fight Vaati.

(Funny how holding a mage's dragon as a bargaining chip is just as effective as kidnapping a ruler.)

Your gaze flicked to the polished obsidian of the Dark Mirror, to the gold, ornate frame. "The offer is still open, you know. Let me take the suffering from you."

"No." He scowled, leaning back to glare into your eyes, a hint of fangs poking out from a maw struggling to keep the shape of a human jaw, "You helped him. Helped them." Shadow spat, there is that hurt again.

You shrugged, a movement that's just slightly awkward as you flinch, "That I did." You confirmed simply, it almost made Shadow see red as he leaned away, knocking your hand from his head in the process, but if there's anything him and the heroes shared, was a lack of a desire to hurt you. It was a little grating to be honest, "Vio even offered to take me with him, to be honest."

"Then why didn't you leave?" He demanded.

Why did you stick around?

Your eyes shuttered, a hint of conflict in your pursed lips. Before you found your words, they come out softly, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you why. You'll just have to find out yourself."

You tug your wrist from his grasp, and Shadow lets you go.

(Stubbornly pushing down on memories and emotions that arearen'tarenotanymore quite his.)

You stand and turn away, pushing the curtains away from your sight, you turn your tired eyes to Shadow with an emotion he can't put a name to. "Just keep it in mind that there's more than one way to end this. Nothing is truly inevitable."

Shadow watches you go. 'There's nothing that can be done. He tells himself, hand hesitating above the Dark Mirror, briefly, it curls into a fist. The hero's original self stares back at him.

'… Does he really believe that?'

He shakes his head, and focuses on willing the Dark Mirror to show him his counterpart.

His chest still hurts.

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

partner material...

[toomanycharr]

A reminder that male and female charr have different horn/ear set ups!

(Of course, do what you want but- It seems a lot of newer charr people just don't know!)

[feathers-second-face]

Alastor: I'm gonna be a manipulative asshole!

Rosie: Okay, sweetie, have fun~!

[teashopcrafts]

The larger Hitchhiker's Guide Quote Towel is done!!! And damn is this thing big, lol.

Now you really can be ready for anything the universe throws at you if you know where this towel is.

And a nice comparison pic with the original smaller towel too.

Use code JUSTBECAUSE for 20% off!

Check out the shop: https://teashopcrafts.bigcartel.com/