An interesting post on the survival benefits of making a cup of tea... Survival is all about a good cup of tea

a) not suprised this comes from the UK forum <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
b) from reading a lot of books about SAS (UK SF) it's all about tea when you are tired, exhausted and cold...
c) it works... I'm very fond of earl gray tea and in the winter times I have a small nissa thermos is always ith me on the ambulance or backcoutry trips... Warms me up without dehydrating effects that coffee has on me.
d) it is tasty... and easy to carry... easier to make than coffee...
e) from survival point of view remember how we always say that instead of freaking out and running in circles you need to sit down and think? Well what's better thinking with a cup of tea?

In Nepal last May after climbing or trekking for a day nothing better than tea and biscuits...

I agree. It adds a bit of normalcy when confronted by a abnormal/stressful situation.

interesting. i love tea. i always bring some irish breakfast and maybe some really good green tea when backpacking. but this philosophy of the calming and stimulating effects of tea has deep roots i think. in the East isn't tea near an art form there? from the types of tea and even to the way its prepared and consumed? i know i always feel more relaxed and thoughful when i have a good cup of tea. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Yerba Matte is great and more people in the USA need to give it a try <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
One of my new favorite teas.

> easier to make than coffee...

Do you think so? With instant coffee granules you just add hot water. With tea you have to let it stew a while, then either strain it (with real tea) or else fish the teabags out.

Either way I prefer tea and coffee with milk, and I've not yet found a good milk substitute I would take by choice. I sometimes carry Oxo beef stock cubes instead.

Since I was 14, a black cup of joe in the morning is always the way to go. It still is my preferred choice. But I can get by on hot tea. When off the pavement, an unsweetend brew-up of Earl Grey is the way I go now if coffee is unavailable or if it is hot weather. I have gotten accustomed to this over the years now. Reason for no sweetener? I was raised to drink unsweetened iced tea. Just an aquired taste.

When out on a hike and I feel drowsy and want a nap: I break out my esbit-type stove and brew a mug of Earl Grey. I'm reinvigorated to continue instead of snoozing. I actually had a great uncle who put milk in his iced tea. Never met him, just heard the stories. Rural TN farmer, you never can tell what will pop up in habits.......*spits tobacco juice on wall and grins*

That yerba mate stuff is very potent, it give me quite a kick in the pants! I think it has more caffeine that coffe does per cup. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Not sure where that's headed YoDuh, but it gave me a smile...

Those poufs or poofs are essentially plastic netting that has been bunched up and the cord is tied to cinch it all together in a ball (the poof). One could strip the cord off and turn it into a decent fishing net, insect barrier (if the holes are small), improvised ho-bo type sack, and maybe even strip off strips to make cordage of a sort. It's very flexible and stretchy stuff usually, so you would have to prestretch it. OOH! I edited this because I realized the title of the thread... One could also conceivably make their own tea strainer (or strainer period!) out of the stuff.

Speaking of strainers, I bought a metal tea ball over a year ago and figured I might experiment with it sometime to see if it earns a place in a larger survival kit. Never got around to it. Anyone tried this or have any thoughts?