Tuesday 27 January 2015

Time for tea...

There comes a time in every man’s life when alcohol just isn’t enough - or rather it all becomes too much. So, for one reason and another I’ve decided to try and reduce my alcohol intake and alternatives have had to be sought.

Obviously cigarettes and class ‘A’ drugs are out of the question; as are sweets; as one of the reasons for this little escapade of mine is that I’d quite like to lose some weight. I did consider exercise, but on reflection accepted that at this point, at least for the moment, anything other than a little light gardening is pretty much out of the question.  So, after much consideration I hit on something that might be just the thing - and that thing is tea.

Yes, tea. It’s time for tea.

Although I’ve never been a tea fanatic I’m willing to try anything to get me through 'one day at a time' as they say. I have taken my PG tips and Typhoo black for years, but the three sugars I take with it are hardly going to do much for my ‘losing a bit of weight’ regime. After much thought about coffee (another thing I’d quite like to avoid) I bit the bullet, threw macho caution to the wind, and purchased some peppermint teabags.

Yes, peppermint teabags, the tea old ladies drink.

I understand that peppermint tea helps you to relax. Not only that but if you drink several cups a day it is rumoured to fend off hunger pangs. I’m not sure how useful it is as an alcohol substitute but, as I’m only cutting down not going teetotal, I don’t think it can do any harm.

The funny thing is I quite like it - and the green tea and lemon teabags I’ve been experimenting with too.

Of course this is just the beginning. With the warmer weather coming I will be growing my own mint to make a blend all of my own and, as my G and T’s will be strictly limited, I’m sure a lemon or two will make it into my nice new glass cup and saucer. So, there you have it. I have become a gentleman who takes tea. Before you know it I’ll be grating a ginger infusion and getting my hair dyed lilac.

Whatever next, chamomile?

If you know of something tea-good please let me know.

48 comments:

  1. Ian Maclachlan on FB
    If you try leaving sugar out of your tea a couple of times you may find you can't go back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Don't want to go back Ian

      Delete
  2. Lucy Whitehead on FB
    The amount of times I asked if you wanted one ! It goes so good with a piece of cake!x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      I know Lucy. But needs must.

      Delete
    2. Lucy Whitehead
      Peppermint makes my life! I'm so glad you're on board x

      Delete
  3. Sarah Bateman onm FB
    I love to start the day with a peppermint tea. I highly recommend redbush tea too

    ReplyDelete
  4. Green tea and lemon this morning.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cloe Fyne on FB
    Earl grey

    Cloe Fyne
    Twinins green tea with salted caramel

    Cloe Fyne
    Black tea (had it in Uganda!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kevin Parrott on FB
    "First Flush Darjeeling", but whatever you chose, use a teapot with a filter to isolate the leaves from the water once the tea has brewed.
    This ensures the second cup is as good as the first, and not stewed.
    Kevin Parrott's photo.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lindsey Messenger on FB
    Taylors sweet rhubarb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cloe Fyne
      Sweet rhubarb? Yum!!

      Delete
    2. Lindsey Messenger
      Yes Cloe it,s really nice... actual tastes as good as it smells!

      Delete
  8. Lindsey Messenger on FB
    Teapigs apple & cinnamon.....also licquorice

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ricardo Listeretti on FB
    Punjana - best everyday tea on the market by a mile

    ReplyDelete
  10. Vicky Brickhill on FB
    Russian caravan. Malty and smokey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katie Louise Scott
      Vicky Brickhill is that a real tea?

      Delete
    2. Vicky Brickhill
      Katie Louise Scott. Yes it is, from Whittards x

      Delete
  11. Katie Louise Scott on FB
    Earl Grey

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mike Octigan on FB
    Mr T. Fool!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Maggie Patzuk on FB
    Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Dandelion (yum)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mike Octigan on FB
    And the award to the most middle class facebook status goes to....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bernadette Doyle on FB
    Earl Grey and Russian Caravan

    ReplyDelete
  16. Clare Pritchard on FB
    GreenTea x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Michelle Haendl on FB
    TWG New York Breakfast Tea

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kathryn Salthouse on FB
    Tea Pigs Camomile flowers lovely and calming x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lissa Tam on FB
    Jasmine pearl tea x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jonny South on FB
    Camomile tea, I'm serious. Instant calm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height on FB
      BTW - weirdly Jonny I found the same with peppermint. Just brewing a cup before bed.

      Delete
  21. Mike Octigan on fB
    My daily juice is White tea. Its the least processed of all teas and thus contains the highest concentrates of antioxidants

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Mike, I think you may have gotten me into potions...

      Delete
    2. Mike Octigan
      It's the way forward.

      Delete
    3. Andrew Height
      Could be Mike. My chili/ginger/horseradish/tumeric/apple vinegar magic will be ready at the weekend. If I grow two heads it is down to you you fakir.

      Delete
  22. Graham Ido Taxi Kinsey
    Notting fancy cold PG no milk

    ReplyDelete
  23. Joely Saffron Sant
    Liquorice all sorts flavour. Mmm

    ReplyDelete
  24. Phil Ogden
    Betty's Tea Blend - unbeatable.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks folks, plenty to go at there.

    ReplyDelete
  26. David Bell on FB
    Recommend this shop: http://charteas.com/

    Char Teas
    Buy Loose Leaf Tea From Char. World Class Speciality and Rare Teas Online and In Store. We Have Over 180...
    CHARTEAS.COM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Bell
      Or perhaps indulge in a little luxury: http://www.independent.co.uk/.../pot-of-gold-tasting-the...

      Pot of gold: tasting the world’s most expensive tea
      As I prepare to sample the world’s most expensive pot...
      INDEPENDENT.CO.UK

      Delete
    2. Andrew Height
      I used to drink that every morning on the Pindar expense account David.

      Delete
    3. David Bell
      On board the Pindar yacht?

      Delete
    4. Andrew Height
      Yes, after they had flown me in a private jet to Reims.

      Delete
  27. Neil Barrett on FB
    For me Tea is Tea, it comes from a plant called Tea .anything else is not for me. It's like asking for coffee and being given Chicory.
    Tea is Tea whether Typhoo or PG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Swallowed a poet again Neil?

      Delete
    2. Neil Barrett
      When it comes to Tea it all comes out quite naturally.

      Delete
    3. Andrew Height
      T(ea). S. Elliot?

      Delete
  28. Pauline Campbell on FB
    Nettle Tea Very light and refreshing no milk

    ReplyDelete