Tea?

[GaryPanic]

I know that there is a M&S outlet in the US somewhere

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Actually, I'm an IT professional (not only for Access projects). I will drink hot tea now and then in the USA "Deep South." The trick is not to get caught at it, particularly in N'Awlins where if you don't drink Community coffee (that's a brand name) or CDM or Folger's (all locally roasted), you are considered a traitor. What I really hate is when I go to other places that offer coffee and Barry's remark about gnat's piss is the norm. I've actually been to a cafe where they had the ubiquitous Bunnzomatic coffee machine with the quartz-glass near-sphericial carafe. I could READ PRINT through that stuff, and yet they CLAIMED it was good, strong coffee. I could see the bottom of a full cup. I could see color accurately through the full carafe. E-GAD, the shame of it all. Bottom line - if you are a true coffee hound, watch out for northern Alabama diners and drive-ins.

I tend to agree about Lipton's being a weaker brand, Barry. We often use Luzianne tea bags, which were specifically designed for making a stronger tea. (Yes, another local brand.) They can wake you up pretty well sometimes.

When wifey and I were traveling through the northern USA, we were surprised to find that others don't think of tea the way we do. In the south, you go to a restaurant and ask for iced tea, you get it and are (usually) allowed free refills. We went to the New England area and found that iced tea there is by the glass and Barry's remark is spot on. Then we crossed into Canada for some sightseeing. (Had a great time, by the way.) No matter where we went, they didn't even OFFER iced tea most of the time, and charged by the glass if they did offer it. Until we got to Niagara, where they offered decent iced tea (no, that's NOT an oxymoron) and allowed refills. But by then, we were used to other beverages and didn't bother to ask until later.

 

[RexesOperator]

LOL, you would seriously be surprised. In the Northern states, you cannot even buy ice tea at most restaurants, only hot tea. If you asked for sweet tea or iced tea, they look at you funny. For the few who know what you are talking about, they will know instantly you are from the South.

Or from Canada

 

[Rabbie]

I rember reading something about the American war of independence being triggered by throwing tea into Boston harbour. This has always given me the impression that our american friends don't really understand the pleasure of a nice cuppa.

 

[ColinEssex]

This has always given me the impression that our american friends don't really understand the pleasure of a nice cuppa.

There's alot our isolated brainwashed American friends don't really understand.

I'll bet they have no idea why the US embassy was burned down in Kosovo 2 days ago. (Here's a clue - Kosovo is not in the USA)

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

When wifey and I were traveling through the northern USA, we were surprised to find that others don't think of tea the way we do. In the south, you go to a restaurant and ask for iced tea, you get it and are (usually) allowed free refills. We went to the New England area and found that iced tea there is by the glass and Barry's remark is spot on. Then we crossed into Canada for some sightseeing. (Had a great time, by the way.) No matter where we went, they didn't even OFFER iced tea most of the time, and charged by the glass if they did offer it. Until we got to Niagara, where they offered decent iced tea (no, that's NOT an oxymoron) and allowed refills. But by then, we were used to other beverages and didn't bother to ask until later.

Why do you expect free refills? In the UK you seldom get free refills of anything.

Col

 

[voidcranium]

I rember reading something about the American war of independence being triggered by throwing tea into Boston harbour. This has always given me the impression that our american friends don't really understand the pleasure of a nice cuppa.

That was in protest of the TAXES the King of England imposed on the colonies.
The Boston Tea Party was the historical name for it, they had no issue with the Tea just the taxes on the tea.

 

[voidcranium]

Why do you expect free refills? In the UK you seldom get free refills of anything.

Col

Thats just part of our society, free refills on water, coffee and tea.
BUT more and more restaurants are not doing this anymore.

When I was a kid you could actually get free cola(pop) refills also. That is long gone.

 

[MrsGorilla]

When I was a kid you could actually get free cola(pop) refills also. That is long gone.

We still have that here in most places, but I hardly drink the stuff any more.

 

[KenHigg]

We still have that here in most places, but I hardly drink the stuff any more.

Cupcake will get a large sweet tea from chick-fil-a on monday and go back and get free refills for a week, or until the cup springs a leak, which ever comes first -

 

[Brianwarnock]

Thats just part of our society, free refills on water, coffee and tea.
.

I seem to remember that they pretty much all tasted the same.

Brian

 

[MrsGorilla]

I seem to remember that they pretty much all tasted the same.

Brian

In some places they might.

I, of course, buy organic whole bean coffee and grind the beans myself for a fresh pot every morning. Well, on the days I work anyway. I pretty much stay off caffeine on the days I'm not at work, just to give myself a break from it. Although the coffee I drink, being of high caliber, doesn't give the jittery feeling that others can.

I've never been much of an iced tea drinker, but will enjoy a hot tea now and then. I used to drink Earl Grey sometimes or green tea or herbal tea, but I've kind of gotten away from it lately.

 

[KenHigg]

What the best way to make sure you get the freshest beans? I see the bulk containers at the grocery store and the typical vacum packed bags - ? We always make the folgers, etc but I'd like to try fresh ground -

 

[Brianwarnock]

In some places they might.

I, of course, buy organic whole bean coffee and grind the beans myself for a fresh pot every morning. Well, on the days I work anyway.

You must be like my walking buddy who gets up hours before leaving for work, I used to allow 30 minutes, 10 minutes to shower etc, 5 minutes to dress, 15 minutes to eat, then hit the road, so its round to yours for coffee if I'm ever in Tulsa.

Brian

 

[MrsGorilla]

What the best way to make sure you get the freshest beans? I see the bulk containers at the grocery store and the typical vacum packed bags - ? We always make the folgers, etc but I'd like to try fresh ground -

I have been ordering mine from here for a while. It's the best I've found so far and is fairly tasty. I've been thinking about seeing if I can find somewhere local that does roasting here so I can try some local coffee. There is also a page here that talks about some things to look for. Some of it is them shilling for their product but some of the facts I've seen seconded on other sites that talk about coffee, like this one.

The last time I bought some I think I got 2 lbs worth and including shipping it was approx. $35. That was in October and I just ran out this week, so it works out to be fairly inexpensive for me. I'm the only one in the house that drinks it though, and I drink it usually 3-5 days per week. I'll make one pot in the morning and take it to work in a thermos. Once it's gone I drink water the rest of the day.

Hope this helps.

 

[MrsGorilla]

You must be like my walking buddy who gets up hours before leaving for work, I used to allow 30 minutes, 10 minutes to shower etc, 5 minutes to dress, 15 minutes to eat, then hit the road, so its round to yours for coffee if I'm ever in Tulsa.

Brian

Not quite like your walking buddy. I've never been much of a morning person, hence the need for coffee.

I usually get up, put my coffee on first thing and then get myself ready while it's brewing. If you ever make it to Tulsa, you're welcome to stop by and have a cuppa joe.

 

[ColinEssex]

If you ever make it to Tulsa,

How far is 24 hrs from Tulsa (in miles) by car.

Col

 

[KenHigg]

I have been ordering mine from here for a while. It's the best I've found so far and is fairly tasty. I've been thinking about seeing if I can find somewhere local that does roasting here so I can try some local coffee. There is also a page here that talks about some things to look for. Some of it is them shilling for their product but some of the facts I've seen seconded on other sites that talk about coffee, like this one.

The last time I bought some I think I got 2 lbs worth and including shipping it was approx. $35. That was in October and I just ran out this week, so it works out to be fairly inexpensive for me. I'm the only one in the house that drinks it though, and I drink it usually 3-5 days per week. I'll make one pot in the morning and take it to work in a thermos. Once it's gone I drink water the rest of the day.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Think I'll look for a local shop first. I should be able to find something in Atl...

 

[MrsGorilla]

How far is 24 hrs from Tulsa (in miles) by car.

Col

Umm, I don't know really. We're (almost) right in the middle of the country so we should be able to get to either coast within that time frame, provided you can drive straight through without stopping, of course. I'm guessing (in miles) it would be about 1300? But I'm not certain. Whenever we've traveled in the past we've usually flown rather than driven, since it's so much faster. Expensive though.

 

[KenHigg]

Umm, I don't know really. We're (almost) right in the middle of the country so we should be able to get to either coast within that time frame, provided you can drive straight through without stopping, of course. I'm guessing (in miles) it would be about 1300? But I'm not certain. Whenever we've traveled in the past we've usually flown rather than driven, since it's so much faster. Expensive though.

Seems like a rather obvious answer - ? 24hrs, avg 50mph, = 12-13 hundred miles - ?