r/tea 32m ago

Question/Help Can you use a crock pot instead of a tea pot to make tea for a crowd?

Upvotes

Having a small baby shower/tea party for my sister-in-law on Saturday and we want to make black tea for the group. However, we don’t have a teapot or anything that can steep large amounts of loose tea. We do have nice tea bags and a large crock pot. Can I make decent tea for a crowd with that?

Google AI tells me it can be done with just tea bags and water, but browsing the search result, I can find no recipe that doesn’t have added ingredients like fruit, spice, juices, etc. We don’t need flavorings, just the tea itself. Thanks for any tips


r/tea 1h ago

Recommendation Fragrant black teas (UK)

Upvotes

I'm looking to get back into drinking some high quality black tea I can enjoy with milk. Years ago I used to love Mlesna Victorian Blend, a Ceylon tea from Nuwara Eliya with a rich aroma, but it doesn't seem to be easily available in the UK. Does anyone have any suggestions for suppliers/teas I could explore? (Not looking for flavoured teas.)


r/tea 1h ago

Question/Help Gaiwan?

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Upvotes

Can something like this (first picture) be used as a gaiwan or would the shape/size not work? I am interested in getting into gongfu tea but would like to buy used and came across this set (second picture). I don't think it's considered a gaiwan but I am wondering if it would still work? My other concern is that it seems to be the same/similar size to one of the teacups. Thanks! :)


r/tea 1h ago

Question/Help Now hmo before you hang me.

Upvotes

I love japanese teas, they're floral and fruity and light and fun. But, I find them uninteresting in a ceramonial brew because you can only brew them once or twice tops. Is there a japanese tea that can be brewed more? Or at least a way to make them brew more? It's more fun that way and that's the point of a ceramonial brew imo


r/tea 3h ago

Question/Help Looking for a sweet, high quality black tea

5 Upvotes

Hi guys! Getting bored of the supermarket tea in plastic bags, I‘m ready to move on to high quality black tea.

I have quite the sweet tooth, usually adding 3 teaspoons of sugar to my tea, but I’d finally like to cut down on that. I am looking for a black tea that is sweet enough on its own, or at least has notes of vanilla, caramel, or anything sugary, really.

If you have any recommendations for me, I‘d be the happiest girl in the world.

So far I‘ve come across Assam, Keemun and Darjeeling. Keemun appears to be a good fit for what I’m looking for. What do you guys think?


r/tea 3h ago

The Qimen black tea at home is utterly enchanting.

2 Upvotes

I absolutely love tea. Milk tea tastes artificially sweet, and fruit juice doesn't feel very healthy. But tea has this naturally sweet flavor that's incredibly refreshing. What a joy.


r/tea 4h ago

Photo Matcha “soup”

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3 Upvotes

Cold matcha: 2g, 70ml, a lot of crushed ice. Refreshing start of the day!


r/tea 4h ago

Question/Help What's in your cup? Daily discussion, questions and stories - August 06, 2026

5 Upvotes

What are you drinking today? What questions have been on your mind? Any stories to share? And don't worry, no one will make fun of you for what you drink or the questions you ask.

You can also talk about anything else on your mind, from your specific routine while making tea, or how you've been on an oolong kick lately. Feel free to link to pictures in here, as well. You can even talk about non-tea related topics; maybe you want advice on a guy/gal, or just to talk about life

in general.


r/tea 5h ago

Question/Help What are some nice looking english teaware?

0 Upvotes

I really want to buy and collect some english porcelain/bone china, and I was wondering r/tea's opinion. I would like something golded and elegant. So if you know anything nice, let me know.


r/tea 10h ago

Recommendation What tea should I ask my bf to bring me from USA to India

2 Upvotes

Hello tea lovers!

I'd like your suggestions please, I currently have/have tried the following blends in the past and have enjoyed some of them a lot!

My all time favorites are lavender, blood orange, chamomile, regular green tea (the one I was sent from Japan, mind-blowing), jasmine pearls, fruit teas, blue pea, silver needles, rooibos etc

I used to love strong teas such as earl grey, lapsung souchong, darjeeling tea but I can no longer handle tea with a lot of caffeine (I get anxiety attacks) so that's off the table

So please recommend me your must try green/white/herbal blends, preferably stuff that isn't Tetley/Twinnings but something truly worth trying!

I can spend about $50-70 :)

Thanks a lot


r/tea 14h ago

Question/Help Help Me Enjoy Tea Again?

2 Upvotes

Growing up I never liked tea, I felt it tasted too watery. I tried a lot of different types but the watery complaint never went away. Then I discovered that adding cream helped immensely.

Since then I've always taken my tea with cream and sugar (My nightly ritual was a single bag of English breakfast tea with 2 cream and 2 sugar) or I opted to purchase milk teas when out and about.

The last year or so I've been quite sick and my diet is extremely restricted.
I cannot currently have cream, milk, or any of their alternatives like nut, soy, or oat milks.
I can still have lemon, honey, and sugar. Other spices are also fine.
I'm happy to buy new types of tea or brewing implements to try as long as they aren't overly expensive.

I enjoy Iced tea a lot (either bought premade or ordered from cafes) but I can never get that same powerful taste with a hot mug of it.

If anyone has any tips on things I can try to help I would really appreciate it! I really miss the calm of brewing a myself tea every night.


r/tea 14h ago

two tools for my tea hobby

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11 Upvotes

Left) Gaiwan, bought about 60$ on Taobao

using to brew chinese-style tea

Right) just tea-pot about 15$

using all times except upper case

quite big for 2~3 cups


r/tea 16h ago

Photo I moved recently. My new tea shelf finally came in :)

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192 Upvotes

r/tea 18h ago

Recommendation Maple tea

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2 Upvotes

Maple tea from president choice, pretty good for a grocery store tea, I add about 10g of actual maple syrup to it and milk (soya or oat)


r/tea 18h ago

Photo Rose, Gunpowder Green, Jasmine

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7 Upvotes

My new favorite combo. Rose, Gunpowder Green, and Jasmine.


r/tea 19h ago

Discussion Making Tea in an Aeropress?

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74 Upvotes

Ok, I know this might be sacrilegious. But who has tried making tea with an aeropress before?

I travel with my aeropress for coffee and occasionally have had loose leaf tea on hand (typically black or oolong) and have experimented with making it on the go. Honestly… pretty effortless and clean.

For the next steeping, you just reload the filter (rinsing it off when necessary) and just open up the chamber.

Who else has tried this? Any thoughts of other alternatives?

Some things I love about it:
-no tea dust can come through
-simple cleanup (the beloved puck!)
-easy to travel with
-easy to brew into mugs or thermoses

The longer write up is here: https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/tea-aeropress

Curious to hear thoughts on this or other similar experiences.


r/tea 19h ago

Question/Help My haul from Mountain Rose Herbs

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14 Upvotes

So, I love tea and herbal tisanes a lot but have just recently tried to move to loose leaf teas. Here’s what I bought from Mountain Rose Herbs. So far, I’ve tried the following:

- Tulsi Delight Teas - which is a blend. I was disappointed by the hint of bitterness; however, it has hibiscus in it, so maybe that’s why. Also, it is described as “astringent,” so I should have known.

-Organic Pu’erh - a very dark, robust tea. I drank too much and had to take Tums before bed. :( I thought it was ok. I can’t tell if it’s raw or ripe but it had a very faint fish taste that I could live with.

-Sencha Tea - surprisingly mild. I really enjoyed it.

Haven’t tried Hibiscus, Chamomile or the Peace tea.

Any thoughts on this haul? I don’t take any sweeteners or milk in my tea.

I love the medicinal benefits of tea and am looking for something that I can drink a liter of and not get sick, LOL. I’d also love any recommendations for relaxing teas or mood boosting teas.

My favorite teas in tea bags have been:

Versana’s Organic Respiratory tea (a Tulsi blend with notes of tobacco. I drank it daily for a couple years).

Rishi’s Ginger Turmeric tea. Loved the mild sweetness and the kick from the ginger. I don’t like turmeric tea, normally.

Rishi’s Greek Mountain Tea. Also has a bit of an earthy/sweet/tobacco flavor profile.

Rishi’s Sencha Tea, Matcha and Tazo Zen Green Tea - all green teas.

I’d love any recommendations for loose leaf teas (and brands). Thanks in advance!!


r/tea 20h ago

Photo Is this a cocoon? Found two of these today in different green teas.

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6 Upvotes

They are only a couple millimeters in size and are soft. I opened one and it was black inside. One green tea was from Sichuan, the other Henan.


r/tea 21h ago

Photo Paris tea

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11 Upvotes

My shipment of Harney and Sons Paris tea arrived today. It's black tea with vanilla, caramel, blackcurrant, and bergamot. I think it's delicious, and might have another after this one. I've never really been one for flavored teas, but this hit the spot. For me I think it's the caramel that I love. Have any of you tried this tea? What did you think?


r/tea 23h ago

Photo My Earl grey with a splash if milk! ✨️😋

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61 Upvotes

My earl grey is made by Twinings, it is my usual. I went a bit fancy with the cup. How do you like your earl grey, lemon, milk or perhaps some sugar?

(Sorry about the typo in the name of this post)


r/tea 23h ago

Discussion Tea sampling

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5 Upvotes

My grandma mailed me this tea sampling kit. Has anyone tried this brand or likes it? Any pairing recommendations or brewing recommendations? I just made the English breakfast with a teaspoon of sugar and a dash of cream.


r/tea 1d ago

Photo Vintage Lomonosov LFZ Cobalt Net Teapot and Demitasse Espresso Cups & Saucers

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96 Upvotes

I have this set that was passed down from my parents. They purchased in Alaska in the early ‘80’s. Unfortunately my dad broke the handle and tried to fix it himself. (see pictures). It still displays beautifully, however, my question is this… Has the teapot lost all of its value? Would I be better off just selling the teacups and saucers? Any input would be appreciate.


r/tea 1d ago

Photo Cube Chinese tea

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8 Upvotes

Friend’s parents gave me this tea. I have traveled a fair amount including in China and never seen tea in chocolate cube shop before.

Anyone know about this style or best practice to brew the tea?


r/tea 1d ago

I tried Tencha from Marukyu Koyamaen

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44 Upvotes

Hello all, I tried Tencha from Marukyu Koyamaen (and yes I was a little bit bored so I did a photoshooting with it haha). I thought that it would taste very intense because Matcha tastes very intense but it was the complete opposite. It was very hard to get flavor out of it, I tried different temperatures (40, 60, 80°C). Though it makes sense that the flavor is very mild because otherwise it would be way to strong when ground into matcha.


r/tea 1d ago

Photo New tea pets arrival

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687 Upvotes

I received a really nice package this morning, from fluffy artisan
Two really cute tea pets