French press tea

I meant to write this post from a wifi-enabled cafe while drinking tea and eating a pastry, but an unexpected meeting thwarted my plans. I am writing from home, in the kitchen to be exact where I do a lot of my tea drinking. Another place in my home that I drink tea is on the futon in the living room. I like to drink tea when I watch British comedies or mysteries.

Anyway, I've spent the last week or so making tea in a French press. A gift of green tea from a friend who recently returned from China made me ask the question: I don't have a gaiwan or other appropriate accountrements, so aside from my teaballs, how else can I prepare loose leaf tea? My husband told me that a colleague in his office makes tea with a French press so I decided to give ours a try (or several). The leaves were steeped for approximately 4 minutes. The combinations were very enjoyable with the exception of the admittedly unusual pairing of Pu-Erh and jasmine pearl.


Pu-Erh and about 7 pearls


Pu-Erh, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and clove


Green leaves and jasmine pearls


Two teaspoons of tea leaves gave a slightly bitter taste to the tea (note the before and after size of the leaves).


Green leaves and a piece of Jamaican hibiscus
A winning combination of citrus from the hibiscus and earthy nose and end note from the green tea.