The story of how tea got to India is very interesting. In the 1800s foreigners were not permitted to travel beyond the treaty ports into China proper on pain of a very painful death, but a victorian Scottish adventurer called Robert Fortune disguised himself as a Chinese merchant, journeyed far inland and smuggled a load of tea plant seedlings and cuttings out of the country. These were then taken to India by the East India Company for cultivation and the rest is history.
I used to be a huge coffee addict and would drink about 5 mugfuls of it espresso strength, black, with 4 sugars every day, but I'm now down to just one mugful with 3 sugars, first thing in the morning. Taylor's of Harrogate "Hot Java Lava" is my grind of choice, made with one of these contraptions which forces air through the water and grounds. IMO, you won't get a better cup of Joe. Tea is Yorkshire, with milk (whole milk, not that watery semi-skimmed stuff and definitely not any of that ersatz oat or soya filth) with 2.5 sugars. Brewed for 4 mins 30 secs, preferably using a teapot. Apart from the traditional Brown Betty pots, those big metal ones favoured by 1970s dinner ladies make a great cuppa. We have one at our cricket club and though the aluminium leeching into the liquid is probably giving us all Alzheimers, it makes such a good brew that we're prepared to risk it.
I have two enjoyable hobbies riding Ducati’s and drinking great coffee, I am fortunate to have my own machine at home and like South American beans ( drug producing country “best soil”) , but would not touch Starbucks or any of those chain as the coffee is terrible, but I am not a coffee snob, I will drink Nescafé. I think coffee is like whiskey once you appreciate a good one you will never go back.
The cost of the coffee beans has gone up at least 25% since Covid. In my opinion there aren’t any decent cafe chains in the uk. I have a bean to cup machine that we feed Taylors no5 espresso beans, I drink two x double espressos with a little extra water.
We bought a Jura bean to cup coffee machine. Great bit of kit, and looks frightfully cool sat on the kitchens black granite work tops. I use it occasionally but the wife likes a coffee. I’m a tea belly…
If you're stuck for something to read. Nathaniel's Nutmeg. Or, The True and Incredible Adventures of the Spice Trader Who Changed the Course of History.
I still drink Tea occasionally, it’s more convenient when on the move to grab a Coffeee from a garage or drive thru for me. Neither my Son or Daughter consume hot drinks, just tap water or cordials for them. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpll9l535o
My son is a tea and coffee drinker like me My daughter likes iced coffee cold drinks and the odd hot chocolate
once youve used and enjoyed the spoils of a commandante c40, youll realise coffee is the choice of true ducatisti.
