Breaking news...

Is a, now very rich, family that started a supermarket chain eons ago and it now absolutely massive!! We don't have one near us up in Nowheresville as one weather forecaster referred to us once

Coffee, nice coffee is excellent but does make me tachycardic and gives me the shakes so I stick to tea, decent blended tea, none of this gnat's pee rubbish Febs subscribes to

And I can report to the American audience that the salvo's in the newly started Tea War just keep getting heaver over there this morning. And as to 'big box stores'; we are afflicted with them too.

It is noted that Februs' taste buds are so destroyed by adolescent excesses as to make him think Earl Gray and Tea should not only be used in the same phrase, the resultant citrus flavored maiden's water is an acceptable beverage.

For the sake of full disclosure, as far as the public record shows, he has NEVER stated that Bud Light is a beer.

We have hope for him yet.

(BTW: One of the definitions of "Hispanic Male" - a biological device for converting tequila into Bud Light.)

All this chatter about Earl Grey (ugh!) and Yorkshire (okay) makes me wonder, does nobody drink teas such as fennel, green tea with jasmine and elderflower? Much more refreshing than these heavy teas, especially first thing in the morning.

Some of us have a hang up about using the word "tea" when describing various herbal concoctions.

It is probably a Brit thing, for none of my American friends and neighbors seem to gag at such a dreadful misuse of the word.

From our friends at Wiki:

Tea

1. A hot drink made by infusing the dried, crushed leaves of the tea plant in boiling water


2 The dried leaves used to make such a drink


3 Such a drink served cold with ice cubes


4 The evergreen shrub or small tree that produces these leaves, native to South and eastern Asia and grown as a major cash crop

Herbal Tea

1 An oxymoron used by advertising agencies, esp in USA

Nope

Tetley or Scottish Blend it is I'm afraid...

Yes, but it's definetly not for me. Jasmine, Chinese green tea, cammomile, although mint from the garden is the preferred brew. I did warn her that the dog always aims for the mint patch but she seemed quite unconcerned. Apparently mint has calming properties. Certainly wouldn't catch me drinking it though!!

blimp

Ahhhh B-LUMP, there you are dear I did wonder where the sun had gone... We do have to make sure you get your 'calming' tablets but I understand the maid adds it to your daily prune juice...

Jasmine and mint are merely good for adding to the open fire in winter to enjoy the scent, tea should consist of a good breakfast tea... nothing more!

Februs, instead of a mentoring section may I suggest we have a complaints section. I am not usually one to complain but that is twice in a week the same member of your library staff has insulted me!!

If the sun has gone you should move further to the south your Pinkness (but not anywhere near Blimp Towers)!!

Fruit teas can be very refreshing on a hot day, with a bit of sugar or honey - not milk. I discovered last year they were popular in Poland. Agreed that the bracing, steaming morning cuppa is another experience. Disagree that Earl GREY is hopeless - but it's an afternoon/evening tea, not breakfast. I wonder what the purists make of the teas with some added dried fruit to be found at Whittard's in the UK in particular?

Speculation: fruit tea/tea party/fruitcake: any connection?