World Enough and Time

For some reason, I've been hearing a lot about tea lately. Lines on TV about how tea will fix anything - both in Sherlock and Fringe this week.

And of course, I love tea. fairestcat and commodorified recently introduced me to London Fog, which has currently become my favourite treat. Oddly, they make it best at the Second Cup - I'm thinking of the one at Somerset and Bank - where I have never much liked the coffee. Who knew? Usually I prefer the drinks at Bridgehead, and I like the way they present the tea, with its own teapot and infuser.

The worst cup of tea I ever had was at Mystiko, where the food was fabulous. The second worst cup of tea I ever had was at St. Hubert, where I made the mistake of ordering tea again a few weeks later - forgetting the first occasion, or perhaps hoping it was a fluke - and it was even worse the second time. I keep intending to write to these places, to tell them how to make tea that tastes good. It isn't hard. It really isn't. (Hot water is a good start.)

Just found this site: Samovar: Real Ritual which takes it to still new heights.

My favourite tea? Earl Grey, hot, with milk. I also like orange pekoe, and most unflavoured black teas. Don't like any fruit-flavoured teas, of which the worst is rose hip. Anise tea is good. Chai with milk. Ginsing, ginger, cardamom. Peppermint if I'm in the mood - which is rare, and I like it with sugar.

What kind of tea to you prefer?