Wow. I love tea, especially a nice iced Earl Grey in the summer. I've never tried loose tea (yes, I use bags, usually Tetley's), but this thread makes me want to try some. I feel like such a beginner now!!
I do have a funny tea story. I visited my mom in North Carolina (before I moved there) and ordered a glass of iced tea at a restaurant. I didn't know about "sweet tea", and when I got my glass, proceeded to pour two sugar packets into it. I took a sip and made a face, and the waitress walked over laughing. I decided I didn't like Southern tea at that point and just had a diet Coke instead. After I moved there, I always had to ask for unsweetened tea because most places automatically brought sweet tea to the table.