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I'm not too fond of the Lipton teas. All of them leave an unpleasant aftertaste in my mouth that ruins the flavor for me. I prefer The Republic of Tea for my bagged teas and go to Teavana for my loose leaf teas.

Haven't tried either of those I'm afraid, though I've heard of Teavana a fair amount (probably in this thread). I usually go to local shops for upper end stuff if I want something fancy. Lipton is my favourite of the grocery store teas, minus certain flavours in other brands, and not including Mighty Leaf because it's beyond my budget right now!

where do you get them?

I do recommend Teavana (teavana.com). The price for certain teas (and tea blends) is expensive for the 2 oz minimum, but it's a very good deal considering the quality you get.

And I love that they don't have that acrid, bitter taste that certain other teas have.

Never noticed that but I constantly over steep my teas anyway so it's not likely I'd notice. I should actually start looking around. I really like the more expensive teas but I'm too cheap to really want to get them all that often. I tried one called "Novus" that had earl grey with malva flowers that was nice. Different from the other ones I have too.

Kettles? I just get them from a wal-mart or other such store. I get the plug in electric ones on the counter. Easier than a metal guy for the stove. They range from $12 to $50 depending on the features you want. I'd avoid going too cheap though given they are electrical equipment. My old $12 guy died. I just get the standard with automatic shut off and preferably the kind with a detachable base so the cord isn't getting in the way.

We have a water boiler specifically for tea that has three settings, 175, 195, and 208 degrees F. It was rather expensive, but we're avid tea drinkers and considered it a good investment (and it certainly was) and good for other things too.

But if you use a kettle (or even boil water in a pot), it doesn't have to be fancy and just use the right temperature to steep it at. Just make sure to also have a thermometer so check the water before steeping in the tea.

I haven't had much tea but my favorites are Chai and Peppermint. I like Chamomile for the "butterfy" feeling I get in my stomach though.

As for coffee I drink it purely for the taste. Unless I have a second job- then it's what I run off of instead of sleep. Frappecinos are one of my favorites. But you really can't go wrong with regular coffee and a little of creamer...but a lot of sugar. I loves my sugar.

I'm a coffee person. I really dislike the taste of tea. All but peppermint tea really.

-high fives Alex-
Glad we don't have to disagree on good tea. =)

I have coffee on two occasions only: Sunday dinner at my dad's house, and the occasional time I need to get up prior to 6am for work or driving (I don't drive but it's my job to stay awake and entertain the driver at that hour).

I do love the smell though. My favourite thing about working in a coffee shop was the constant coffee grounds smell. Grounds though, not necessarily the coffee.

Oh right, forgot. My new brother in law is a coffee buff, so I do occassionaly have a shot from their Nespresso or a cup of Turkish coffee when he makes it. Only time I ever had coffee when it wasn't direclty offered to me was in Rome. *That* was darn good coffee!

Peppermint tea is my drink of choice when I have a cold. Clears the sinuses right up!

I preferred regular "mint" myself as a kid, but darn if it didn't get hard to find! :p.

I haven't had any weird aftertaste from Lipton tea bags...but that could've been the batches you had...or maybe it's a preference thing.

I wish Wal-Mart in my area would carry blackberry tea.

Same here, even though I drink it even when I dont' have a cold. It also feels quite nice going down my throat too. I hear peppermint is good for settling the stomach too. (but only if made with real peppermint not artificial flavorings)

Ginger helps stomach issues, though I haven't found it in a decent tea, and if I feel queasy I find plain green tea helps (my older sister's recommendation). I rarely drink plain green anymore unless I'm out for sushi but I have a bunch around given that I'm the tea adopter of the family. Someone has tea they want to get rid of it usually ends up with me since my cousin is a little more picky about what he has.

I'm heading to the San Mateo/San Francisco area tomorrow for about a week. Does anyone here know of any good places to get milk tea drinks in that area? I've tried Tuttimelon, and I didn't like their selection. I saw this place called Golden Island Cafe, and I was wondering if their selection is good... Is it?