Oct 26 2006
bag bound
Third in a Tea-liscious Thursday tiffin series initially covering the taking tiffin with (black) tea in the NW USA.
Thursday Tiffin #3: bag bound
Last week we discovered that many NW US Americans do not own an electric Kettle (with internal filament) and that I have some exceptional friends. This week we discover another utensil in the tea making process may also be absent. As Andy pointed out in a comment on last Thursday’s post, Teapots are not a ubiquitous household item. I have been in several homes without teapots.
It appears that Tea, infusions included, in the NW US culture is much more ‘bag-bound’ than my experience of the UK. An American (Thomas Sullivan 1908) is attributed with having invented the Teabag. The core value of the tea bag is in the ability to easily remove the tea from the water before the infusion begins to release too much tannin. Too much tannin produces a harsh, bitter, flavour.
There is a potential flavour quality issue with the use of bags. Allowing the tea leaves to circulate freely within the hot-water does something positive to the infusion process. I’m not too sure exactly what. Consequently, loose leaves that are allowed to circulate throughout the hot water, the whole teapot, provide a superior flavour to teas restricted within a bag or small infusion ball. There are also rumours that smaller size of the leaves in tea bags increases their surface area and therefore rate of tannin-release. The phrase I’ve heard used in Britain to show disdain for teabags is to say that they contain the ‘floor sweepings’.
The bottom line is that in the NW USA you should anticipate tea-bags and the lack of a tea pot. This experience extends to tea served in cafes and diners.
Expect your tea to be packaged in individual bags.
bag bound
Expect your tea to be packaged in individual bags unless a) you are dining at a Chinese restaurant; b) you indulge yourself in one of the yuppie tea stores sprouting around town; or c) you are visiting an immigrant or first generation Chinese household, where you are likely to be served unbagged tea.
cheers!
PST! I know a place that serves REAL tea, with leaves and everything! (Although they DO do that infused thing a lot - they have a selection of black teas without all the fluff in them.) Victrola - In the 15th Business District on Capitol Hill.
Just 4 words for you PG Tips pyramid bags