Introduction to Tea for a Reformed Coffee Drinker

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My friend Andrea Allen asked me to write about the teas that I drink. She wants to give up coffee in favor of tea. I used to drink a lot of coffee, but now I average only three cups per week.

So here is my introduction to teas for a reformed coffee drinker. All of these teas are available in tea bags at your local grocery store. Expect to pay about $3.50 or less for 20 bags.

First, recognize that you probably have a serious caffeine addiction. I suggest you start your morning with a cup or two of English Breakfast tea. You could also try Irish Breakfast. Both of these are strong, black teas. Add sugar and milk to taste.

After lunch, try a cup of Earl Grey or another breakfast tea. Have one cup, or four - I drink tea almost all day long. My one rule is that I try to stay away from black teas after 6:00pm on work days. The caffeine would keep me awake all night.

As a general rule, you should let your tea bag steep no longer than three minutes. The tea in a tea bag is so finely ground (thus more surface area) that it steeps much quicker than loose leaf. Time it, pull it, and trash it after 180 seconds. Mostly all of the caffeine comes out in the first 60 seconds, anyway. After that you're just adding flavor from the leaves (in which case more is not always better).

I like to brew tea bag tea in a tea pot or a large mug. I find that one tea bag is great for about 16 oz of water. If you have to brew your tea in a small coffee mug with 12 oz or less water, then I suggest that you only steep the tea for 90 seconds. I always pull on the string to jump my tea bag around the mug or cup while it is steeping.

For black teas, add boiling water. For green and white teas, add water just before boiling (steaming).

Caffeine content of tea in descending order:

1. Black (the most!)
2. Green (about 25 to 50% of the caffeine in black)
3. White (very little caffeine)

Cheers to that!
Next stop: Loose leaves and Green dreams.

NYC Update - My Apartment

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I live in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Because a lot of people from Georgia ask me, I'll go ahead and tell you that my neighborhood is safe and friendly.

I found my room on craigslist. I share the apartment with two roommates - Nestor from Argentina, and Daniel from Seattle. We get along swimmingly and stay out of each others way.

By New York standards, our apartment is large. We have a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, a backyard patio, three bedrooms (my bedroom has two windows), and two bathrooms. I can comfortably host eight or ten friends for tea and conversation in the downstairs kitchen and lounge.

Most important to me, my doorstep is incredibly close to the Manhattan-bound subway. The L line of the subway bisects all of the major trains. I like being able to quickly connect to multiple subway lines. On a good day, I can get from my bedroom to Wall Street, Chinatown, Times Square, or Bryant Park in thirty five minutes.

I absolutely love not having to drive a car anymore. But sometimes having a car would be helpful - like for Costco runs or weekend trips out of the city. Instead, I ride my bike every day... (to be continued!)

My Year in Cities (2007)

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Listed in chronological order, I spent at least one night in each of the following cities last year:

• Vancouver, Canada (family ski trip)
• Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ...Consumer Electronics Show
• New York City, NY, USA ...friendship
• Geneva, Switzerland ...EBACE
• Lausanne, Switzerland ...CouchSurfing!
• Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland ...having fun
• Bern, Switzerland
• Zurich, Switzerland
• Atlanta, Georgia, USA ...home
• Mumbai, Maharashtra, India ...eating!
• Pune, Maharashtra, India
• Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India ...relaxing and photos
• Kannur, Kerala, India ...Kaushal's friend's wedding
• Cochin, Kerala, India ...fancy wedding reception
• Amritapuri, Kerala, India ...ashram and amazing Varkala day trip
• Roanoke, Virginia, USA
• Cleveland, Ohio, USA
• Los Angeles, California, USA
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Helen, Georgia, USA ...Christmas with the family

Place Holder

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A half-dozen people asked me yesterday why I haven't updated my blog. Maybe if I post this, it will FORCE me to overwrite it tomorrow.

Coming soon... My year in cities (2007), favorite posts, and New York City notes!