Originally Posted by Mrs JFW

Jeez, I hope the climate don't affect the strength of my contraception......I sure as hell don't want any more kiddies!

Originally Posted by seasprite

Hello, bit of a sad question really... what is the best tea to buy in Australia, (as in, closest to a decent UK brew?) We like Twinings Assam here, or good old Tetley...thanks.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

I have never heard of this in my entire life and I've lived in both countries. I find the tea in Britain no stronger or weaker than the tea in Australia.

And what does the weather have to do with anything? What difference would that make to people's preferred tea strength?

These funny little anecdotes are amusing enough in their way, but they don't actually prove anything. Anyone got some genuine, solid proof from the people who actually produce the tea? Anyone...?

Next you'll be telling me that Dulux in Australia is slightly different for some bizarre reason because it has to cope with the Australian sun.

Or whatever.

Originally Posted by Mipik

Vash,

I work in a let's say very large food company. Most of the so called strategic (sold all over the world, popular brands) products do vary from country to country.

The simple reason is that they have to fit local taste (regardless of the reason for that). In some factories that supply a few different countries it is actually a big pain in the backside as you have to change reciepies frequently.

So I would consider it perfectly normal if Twinnings or Lipton teas tasted slightly different in Oz and in UK.

A good example is CocaCola where some substantial differences exist from country to country.

Nothing wrong with that either.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

Next you'll be telling me that Dulux in Australia is slightly different for some bizarre reason because it has to cope with the Australian sun.

Or whatever.

Originally Posted by Shellfish

Well, I have tasted both and I definitely find the aussie one weaker so I don't drink it.

Lipton's is pretty nice though

Originally Posted by tracey brien

funny you should say that! We have dulux on all our walls and it is not as hard wearing or washable as in the UK. Now whether that is the paint or the plaster on the walls, Idon't know. Has anyone else found this? Can't seem to get the kid's grubby hand prints to wash off and it's supposed to be 'wash and wear' (bet you thought I was going to say something else!)

Tracey

Originally Posted by jad n rich

Bizzare it is then for outside you DO use different paint here, unless you do it fades in months, the sunfast or colourguard (UV) expensive stuff will hold its colour much longer.

Originally Posted by Mipik

Vash,

I work in a let's say very large food company. Most of the so called strategic (sold all over the world, popular brands) products do vary from country to country.

The simple reason is that they have to fit local taste (regardless of the reason for that). In some factories that supply a few different countries it is actually a big pain in the backside as you have to change reciepies frequently.

So I would consider it perfectly normal if Twinnings or Lipton teas tasted slightly different in Oz and in UK.

A good example is CocaCola where some substantial differences exist from country to country.

Nothing wrong with that either.

Originally Posted by JohnAndNetta

We stayed at a Brisbane B&B and shared breakfast with a tea 'expert', and sorry to say Vash, its official. There ARE differences in strength between (for example) Tetleys over here and the Tetleys equivalent in the UK . But I honestly can't remember the reason he gave, though I don't think it was to do with hot weather in Oz (more likely the growth regions).

I am one of those people that loves weak insipid tea. I used to swirl the bag round a couple of times and it would be in the bin before you knew it. But I have to say I can't stand many of the teas that I used to drink at home out here, because they really are so weak. So we now opt for the extra strong versions. And the irony is that Liptons (normally yuk yuk yuk) do a version called 'Intense' which is probably my favorite, closely followed by Bushells Extra Strong, and there's an Australian Billy extra strong version (can't remember the manufacturers) which isn't bad either.


I just wish I had paid more attention to the tea-man so I knew the reasoning behind the tea mystery , but he was a pretty dull and non-descript person, and I really needed a COFFEE to keep my eyes open whilst he was droning on. Oh, and BTW this was his job (taster & buyer) , not just his claim to fame.

There must be someone else out there that can explain it?????

On a good note - I notice I don't get any scum floating on the top of my tea anymore - like I used to in the South-East of England! So I can only assume this is down to the much improved water quality in Brisbane, but I haven't met any water tasters or experts on my travels, so this is just pure supposition.

Netta

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

Sorry to disappoint you, but a mere anecdote with no explanation or proof does not make it "official."

BTW, does anyone know how to change the strength of a tea leaf? Have we worked that one out yet?

I'm sure there's money in it.

Originally Posted by dracupg

Officially, my mate says “to increase the strength of tea you either increase the brewing time or (recommended) increase the amount of tea”.

I asked him if a Tetley tea bag in the UK would be as strong as a Tetley tea bag in Oz. He said “you are an idiot” and threw a tea caddy of Darjeeling at my head.

Can’t get more definitive than that.