I'm 34 and I have never tried a cup of tea

[2ndbase]

I don't know where to start, how do you know which tea bags to use? Do I have milk, if so, how much? Sugar?

It's always puzzled me how people already know all this, I think it's what's put me off trying it before now!

I only drink masala tea and make it in a saucepan.

Cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, water, sugar, tea bag and milk. (Ginger optional.)

Otherwise, I very much love flat whites.

I am 45. Never had a cup of coffee or a pint of beer. I would say i have had less than 10 cups of tea in my life, last time prob 20 years ago 😂 My husband doesnt drink tea or coffee either. We make people make their own when they visit our house (as people are particular and we don't have a clue). I drink water (and gin occasionally) and I am a perfectly functioning adult 😀. When people ask and i refuse i just say I'm a wierdo 👍

This post amused me, OP

Did you grow up in the UK or Ireland? If so I don't know how this step in your education has been missed!

I didn't start drinking tea until I was in my late 30s, bloody love it now, I'm like a religious convert.

I grew up in Ireland in a tea loving household as did my DH

I live on tea. Almost literally!

People like if different ways. You can experiment until you find a way you like, of until you decide you don’t! My personal preference is this: PG Tips bag in a mug. Pour over boiling (this is important- must be boiling) water. Add milk (I prefer skimmed). Squeeze the bag until it’s a toffee colour and then remove and stir. Enjoy!

If you want to try something more exotic, by a taster box with lots of different teas and try! These are often drunk without milk, especially in Europe.

You definitely need to give it a try, and experiment.

I put the milk in first (just a splash) then put the tea bag in, then fill up with just boiled water. I leave it to brew for a minute or so (this is why I put the milk in first, it's v hard to over brew it this way), then squeeze the tea bag and take it out. I like mine quite brown.

However, lots of my friends have it completely differently - with sugar, loads of milk, tea bag first, Yorkshire tea etc. I think all of these are totally gross but that is their preference.

Don't give up after the first try, you may have just not found your perfect brew yet!

Yes I have lived in the UK since birth. I usually drink water or occasionally hot chocolate, I just thought it might be nice to try tea now that its getting colder outside.

To be honest the replies have confused me even more, everybody seems to like it made differently

Boil kettle
Put tea bag in cup
Fill cup with boiling water leaving inch from the top
Leave to stew for 3 minutes
Remove bag giving it a squeeze
Top up cup with cold milk
Taste
If too bitter add sugar half a teaspoon at a time
Get a biscuit
Drink tea while dipping biscuits, reading newspaper and sitting down

Best tea is strong. I like Clipper tea. Add hot water, leave for a few minutes. Add a small amount of milk and mash the tea bag around a bit. No sugar. Can’t stand weak tea.

I bet if you ask your friends/colleagues/family they will happily and gleefully make some taste testing. Sounds fun!

Go into your nearest branch of T2. They’ll show you how to do it properly.

It's like asking How long's a piece of string! Personally I have tea when I'm not sure of the quality of the coffee, not being a real tea drinker I can't recognise bad tea but bad coffee makes me feel sick.

Try Earl Grey with lemon, that's lovely, a tea bag, if you must, off-boiling water and a slice of lemon.

How is this possible!?!?! hahaha

How can you not know how to make it?Did your parents not drink tea?
My DD is a recent convert but has known how to make me a cup if tea since she was allowed to use the kettle.
She has also known how to make a gin and tonic, ice and a slice since she was about 6,

I bloody love tea but it's an addiction; caffeine is a drug. A stimulant. If you've avoided it so far my suggestion would be don't bother. If you want hot drinks because it's cold there's a whole wealth of herb teas out there, or stock makes a nice hot savoury drink. The thing with caffeine is if you don't drink it all the time you're likely to get headaches from withdrawal.

But if you must then try a good quality English Breakfast, experiment with strength and amount of milk and never ever ever start on the sugar.

Do you have a friend who generally has similar tastes to you in food and drinks who likes tea? If so, maybe ask them to make you a cup the way they like it.

Twinings Everyday tea (or Earl Grey) place tea bag in warmed cup (:)) boil kettle immediately pour water into cup nearly full leave for a few minutes stir & squeeze bag remove bag pour in small amount of milk (introduce milk to tea :) ) have it with Scottish shortcake biscuit! (No I am not addicted - of course not!)

I’ve never had tea or coffee and I’m 36 next month. You’re not alone OP.

Don't you know anyone who drinks tea? At work, at home, friends, relatives? If so, can't you ask them to make you a cup of tea, and see if you like it or not?

I first tried tea aged about 18 or 20 and I tried peppermint tea with honey, and then I tried either Earl Grey or Lapsang black and weak.
I take my coffee black anyway so thought I would probably prefer tea black.

In all seriousness, I dislike tea, but had a craving for a cup the other day and it gave me a hell of a stomach ache. Apparently this is A Thing if you are not used to tea because of the tannins.

Laughing at all the different instructions.

I’ve drunk tea since I was a child - grew up in Ireland. Had it with sugar then but gave up sugar for Lent one year so no sugar now. Started drinking coffee at about 16. With sugar. But gave up sugar a few years ago. I don’t like really milk coffees so no lattes for me.

OP it is a matter of trial and error to get it how you might like it. I like mine strong with a little milk.

Also there are some lovely herbal or fruit teas around too.

Loathe all hot drinks especially tea. The smell makes me heave.

But I’m probably going to die an early death as I live on diet drinks which, according to the Daily Mail, are as lethal as shooting up heroin. I’d rather die young than drink tea though 🤢🤮🤢🤮🤢🤮

Jeez, don't start tea drinking by trying Earl Grey!

It's so strongly scented and different to proper tea.