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[Starkey]

So happy you love the tea Tom. And I just realized, I got the exact same tea tray at home.

We took your suggestion to heart and are working on sampler packs with a selection of various teas. I'll definitely create one for cigar lovers as well. Maybe we can even have a herf with tea and cigars at my place some time.

Thats great about the sampler, and the herf is a nice idea thanks Niela

[Horsebox]

[MENTION=13393493]big bopper[/MENTION] [MENTION=13448813]SHAMZ84[/MENTION] do either of you make your blend from scratch? I've used a pre-mixed powder before which works well but I've never been able to replicate the chai I drank in India. I suppose it takes years of practice to be a succesful chai-wallah [emoji58]


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[SHAMZ84]

[MENTION=13393493]big bopper[/MENTION] [MENTION=13448813]SHAMZ84[/MENTION] do either of you make your blend from scratch? I've used a pre-mixed powder before which works well but I've never been able to replicate the chai I drank in India. I suppose it takes years of practice to be a succesful chai-wallah [emoji58]


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My mother in law makes the spice...have no idea what's in it...however my father buys it from our local indian shop which is spicer than the home blend..both are great.

It's the way you make it..but there are a few additions that complete the whole process

We had ginger peal for extra spice when boiling..also to have a fresher taste we had mint or lemon grass when it's boiling.

I user the following steps

For 2 cups of tea
Boil 1 and 2 thirds of a mug of water
Add tea leafs or tea bag
Add Ginger peal and (mint/lemongrass if desired)
Add half a teaspoon of the chai powder
Let this boil untill is almost spils over
Add milk and sugar
Leave to boil for a further few minute's

Tea done.





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[Horsebox]

I'll try those tips next time I make a pot. Like the sound of the ginger peel/mint additions, Cheers [MENTION=13448813]SHAMZ84[/MENTION]


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[big bopper]

@big bopper @SHAMZ84 do either of you make your blend from scratch? I've used a pre-mixed powder before which works well but I've never been able to replicate the chai I drank in India. I suppose it takes years of practice to be a succesful chai-wallah [emoji58]


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I don't mate - not that committed! I've been buying it ready blended from Kent & Sussex Tea & Coffee Co. You're right though, it's not as good as the chai you drink in India.

I add fresh ginger to mine as well like Shamz.

[PeeJay]

Anyone growing their own?

[Horsebox]

Cheers [MENTION=13393493]big bopper[/MENTION] I'll look into that blend too ☕️


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[Starkey]

Anyone growing their own?

no but I am determined to give it a try one day. I would have thought parts of the U.K. Are vaguely similar climates to some Asian tea growing regions.

[PeeJay]

Apparently tea likes cold and damp

[Niela]

There are some plantations in Cornwall I think or somewhere in the south along the coast. The quality is so so though. But it's entirely possible to grow it in the UK. We tried rolling our own Sencha by hand when in Japan. It's terribly difficult, but real fun. So I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

My own stab at growing a tea plant in the UK failled misserably, but that was when I first started gardening and I had no clue what I was doing. Tea plants are basically Camelias which are grown all around the UK with great success.

[PeeJay]

Tea plants are basically Camelias which are grown all around the UK with great success.

So do they need acidic soil/ericaceous compost?

[Niela]

Looks like it....

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=327

[PeeJay]

Guess I'll abandon my plans for a tea plantation in my chalk infested garden then

[Niela]

you could grow it in a pot...

[PeeJay]

you could grow it in a pot...

Then what would I make my tea in?