Teacup Tuesday: Spill it -- hot or hotter?

Last week, I asked readers to tell me about the kinds of teas they like to drink--bags or loose. Whoa! Lots of opinions there!

Judy D. from Getzville, NY said, "My favorite tea is Mint Brook Meadow’s Peppermint and Spearmint caffeine free Herbal tea. I came across this tea last Spring when I was shopping at  Miller’s bulk barn located on Route 104 near Medina, NY. It is a very relaxing tea and is great if you have a slight upset stomach. I enjoy sipping the tea when I am reading, especially a great mystery book! Enjoy!"

Mare F. from Winsted, CT said, "I grew up with both loose and bags...leaves at my grandmother's and bags at home. My father even brought a jar of "instant tea" into the house but my grandmother shamed him so that it disappeared soon after. Tasted awful! Until the past few years I stuck with bags for convenience sake, but I find  myself ordering more 'I'm at home and settling in' routine each afternoon. I've two cups with china strainers in them and then tea balls at home."

Ruth N. from Dixon, CA said:  My oldest son and shared many a cup of tea. I lost him five years ago and I'm the only tea drinker left in the family. Down to a small pot instead of a big pot but lots of memories of our chats over a pot of tea.  I use both loose tea and tea bags, my son always wanted tea bags like his Grandma from Scotland shared with him.  I've branched out and try different loose teas.

Debbie C. Cottonwood, AZ said:  "At the moment, my favorite method of brewing tea is by teabag because there is a wide variety of places that I can buy them here in town.  However, we've just had the cutest little tea shop open up in Old Town that sells it loose, so I've been itching to try that method as well.  I made a brief venture in while I was waiting for my daughter to come dancing down the street with her ballet troop, decked out in one of her costumes for the Nutcracker for our town's Christmas parade.  What can I say, it was love at first sight. However, I knew I'd have to ease my husband into moving a larger stash of tea into the house.  Last time I brought home six new boxes and he just rolled his eyes at me.  Good thing he loves me. Honestly, I think I just grew accustomed to drinking tea from a teabag from the time I was little.  We would heat the water up in my grandma's old teakettle and then pour the water into a what would now be considered a vintage brown drip McCoy teapot  that already had a few bags in it waiting to be steeped.  Those were precious days sitting in my grandma's kitchen, sipping on tea while crunching on cookies.  It reminds me to make the most of the time I have with my family. But, that doesn't mean I can't be adventurous and try other methods."

Mary P. from Australia said:  "I use both loose leaf & tea bags. I have some very fussy family members who insist upon "real" tea. I generally just add the loose leaf to the pot - no infuser at all. The fun part is reading the tea leaves afterwards. (I'm still waiting for the tall, dark, handsome stranger to appear.)"

Antonette N. from Carol Stream, IL said: "I also love tea and try lots of different ones. On vacation I try to find a local tea - or at least one that 'feels' like the location. Current favorites are White Blueberry by Adagio Tea and Pomegranite Green Tea by Republic of Tea."

Vanessa P. from Seahurst, WA said:  "I too have had many teas that I found only once or received as a gift and then could not find again... my solution is to go see Vicki at my local tea shop; Cascadia Herb'n Tea! She has actually created blends for me!"

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And The Winner Is...

Brenda T. from Howard City, MI winds the tea for one pot and teabagholder.  She said:  "I usually use a tea bag, not because I think it is the best way to make tea it is just a convenient way for me to make my tea.  Such a pretty little tea set!  Would love to win and share with my grand daughters!"

Tracy R. from Paducah, KY winds the free tea sample from Latteda.com.  She said: "To be honest, I have never had tea from loose tea leaves. I am a huge coffee drinker, but I am starting to enjoy tea more. I have a terrible cold now, so I am having a hot cup of tea that is from the Boston Tea Company. My hubby, Jeff, got me a trio of tea tins for Christmas. Right now I am enjoying Jasmine Green from this trio. This is the first time I have had it, and I really like it. I will have to try the loose tea and see which I prefer. I love Teacup Tuesdays!"

P.S.  I still haven't heard from last week's winner (Sharon S), although I e-mailed her.  If she doesn't get back to my before next Monday, we'll be giving the bone china mug to another reader.

Next week ...

Okay .. are you old school and boil your tea water in a kettle ... or heat it in the microwave?  Confess all!