AIBU to think this tea is stewed?

ThisTeaIsBad · 2024-11-11T16:33:08+00:00

Hopefully there is a picture attached or this won't make any sense. DH declares this tea to be perfect. I say it is stewed. YABU - it is indeed perfect YANBU - it is stewed

CharlotteStreetW1 · 11/11/2024 22:08

PickAChew · 11/11/2024 16:41

It's living in a hard water area that put me off tea. Even using a filter and with a new kettle, it looked like this and always tasted disappointing.

This is why I - brace yourself - put the milk in with the teabag and then the water. No scum. And no stained mug.

Before you ask if I'm even British, I do also make leaf tea properly in a pot etc.

Anyway, I would drink the OP's tea but I can totally see why someone might not.

UnimpressiveUsername · 11/11/2024 21:50

JustAboutMuddlingThrough · 11/11/2024 17:59

This is what a proper cup of tea should look like. This is using bottled watered only cos I still have loads left from work yesterday, but I do usually use tap water (hard water area) and it still looks like this

I LOVE your bedsheets!!

Back on topic, thanks to whomever posted that guardian article. I only drink earl grey these days which explains why I avoid the scum but everyone else gets it in our house. Very hard water here.

Outtherelookingin · 11/11/2024 21:40

Ineffable23 · 11/11/2024 21:38

I live in an area of the country with exceptionally hard water, even by the standards of southern water hardness, so by the looks of it it might be specific to round here - it can end up with more sodium than the recommended safe limit for drinking I think.

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No it can't sorry to say, tested regularly and you set it up to exactly fit your water. It's fully tested.

Ineffable23 · 11/11/2024 21:38

Outtherelookingin · 11/11/2024 21:29

It's perfect as drinking water except for very tiny newborn babies. And even that is being extra cautious. It's lovely and way nicer than what usually comes out the tap..

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I live in an area of the country with exceptionally hard water, even by the standards of southern water hardness, so by the looks of it it might be specific to round here - it can end up with more sodium than the recommended safe limit for drinking I think.

Talipesmum · 11/11/2024 21:30

Ineffable23 · 11/11/2024 21:25

But you can't drink water softened with a water softener, I don't think? I didn't think it did you any harm for the odd bit for tooth cleaning but not for day to day drinking water?

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You can, we don’t use it for day to day drinking for water, etc, but we use the softened water for tea. It tastes miles better - the tea taste is how I can tell if the softener has run out.

Outtherelookingin · 11/11/2024 21:29

Ineffable23 · 11/11/2024 21:25

But you can't drink water softened with a water softener, I don't think? I didn't think it did you any harm for the odd bit for tooth cleaning but not for day to day drinking water?

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It's perfect as drinking water except for very tiny newborn babies. And even that is being extra cautious. It's lovely and way nicer than what usually comes out the tap..

Mum2jenny · 11/11/2024 21:27

Was the milk off?

Ineffable23 · 11/11/2024 21:25

Outtherelookingin · 11/11/2024 16:59

Get a water filter installed - best thing we ever did in our very hard water area. Hardly ever have to descale the kettle now and no limescale on the shower etc. Only costs us a bag of salt once a month too.

But you can't drink water softened with a water softener, I don't think? I didn't think it did you any harm for the odd bit for tooth cleaning but not for day to day drinking water?

Didimum · 11/11/2024 21:23

Dotto · 11/11/2024 20:47

It's definitely not. We have the softest water in the country. I can accidentally forget and leave a teabag in for 20 mins and it never does that.

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Yes it is. It’s because the minerals in hard water react with the tea leaves and exacerbate it as opposed to soft water.

Original poster

ThisTeaIsBad · 11/11/2024 21:22

I just made this cup of tea. Same kettle, same tap water. Teabag left in while I got the milk out then a quick stir and swoop round before taking it out and adding the (skimmed) milk. No nasty floaty bits.

OP posts:

Ohnobackagain · 11/11/2024 20:48

@DogInATent never happens when I make my tea like that (also hard water area).

Dotto · 11/11/2024 20:47

Didimum · 11/11/2024 20:41

That is the tea’s oil that forms on the surface when brewed for too long. It’s not from your kettle or taps. Do a simple experiment with a new kettle or filtered water if you like. Leave it to over brew and this will happen.

It's definitely not. We have the softest water in the country. I can accidentally forget and leave a teabag in for 20 mins and it never does that.

OswaldCobblepot · 11/11/2024 20:41

lavenderlou · 11/11/2024 20:12

I find my tea can go like this if I leave the teabag in at all. I have to put it in, leave it for 10 seconds then squeeze it out. Most teabags are "instant brew" now so apparently don't need to leave them in. I live in a hard water area but it doesn't get a film on top unless I leave the teabag in.

10 seconds = gnat's piss

Didimum · 11/11/2024 20:41

That is the tea’s oil that forms on the surface when brewed for too long. It’s not from your kettle or taps. Do a simple experiment with a new kettle or filtered water if you like. Leave it to over brew and this will happen.

itsmylife7 · 11/11/2024 20:40

teatoast8 · 11/11/2024 20:38

Nah milk always last!

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No milk first. 😉
You must try it.

Saschka · 11/11/2024 20:40

ThisTeaIsBad · 11/11/2024 16:51

By my maths 4 people currently think this is a perfect cup of tea 😱

You have limescale. That doesn’t mean your tea is stewed. We also live in London and tea looks like that any time I use unfiltered water.

teatoast8 · 11/11/2024 20:38

itsmylife7 · 11/11/2024 18:48

Add the milk first.
Then tea bag, then boiling water and stir like mad.

Try it and report back.

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Nah milk always last!

teatoast8 · 11/11/2024 20:38

JustAboutMuddlingThrough · 11/11/2024 17:59

This is what a proper cup of tea should look like. This is using bottled watered only cos I still have loads left from work yesterday, but I do usually use tap water (hard water area) and it still looks like this

Nah too strong for me. Has to be milky

teatoast8 · 11/11/2024 20:37

🤢🤢

Diversion · 11/11/2024 20:35

Hot tea left to go lukewarm with too much milk!

YellowRoom · 11/11/2024 20:28

Oh and I find the worst is where someone has furiously agitated the tea for about 20 seconds so it's simultaneously strong and completely lacking in flavour.

YellowRoom · 11/11/2024 20:26

I used to get this and sorted it by adding the milk first. I don't know the science behind this but it works for me. I have lovely northern water and Ringtons. Southern family have dreadful tea however they make it. I feel very bad for them.

PumpkinScarf · 11/11/2024 20:15

That is an absolutely diabolical cup of tea.

Jifmicroliquid · 11/11/2024 20:13

Mine does that if I microwave it (having left it to get too cold to drink)

lavenderlou · 11/11/2024 20:12

I find my tea can go like this if I leave the teabag in at all. I have to put it in, leave it for 10 seconds then squeeze it out. Most teabags are "instant brew" now so apparently don't need to leave them in. I live in a hard water area but it doesn't get a film on top unless I leave the teabag in.