Okay, so I’ve been really getting into oolong tea lately, and I wanted to share my little journey of trying out different brands. You know, it’s kind of like a treasure hunt, but with tea!
First off, I learned that oolong tea is like the middle child between green and black tea. I always thought they came from different plants, but nope, it’s all about how long the leaves are left out in the air! Oolong can be anywhere from 8% to 80% oxidized, which is a fancy way of saying how much air they’ve soaked up.
I started my adventure with Rishi Iron Goddess of Mercy. Man, the name alone sounded so cool, I just had to try it. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. This one was smooth, a little floral, and just really enjoyable. I was brewing it, sipping it, and feeling all zen. This one definitely set the bar high. This is a good start.
Then, someone told me I absolutely had to try Competition Grade Tie Guan Yin from Yunnan Sourcing. They were like, “Dude, it’s the best oolong ever!” Now, this one was pricier, no doubt. But, oh boy, was it an experience! It was like a flavor explosion in my mouth. So rich, so complex, I could hardly believe it was just tea. I felt like I was tasting a rainbow or something, haha. Worth every penny in my book.
More Exploring
- After that, I was curious about Taiwanese oolong because I heard Taiwan is like the promised land for this stuff. Apparently, they grow tons of it up in the mountains where the air is all misty and perfect for tea.
- So, I grabbed a few different types of Taiwanese oolong and went to town. I brewed them up, one after another, trying to really pay attention to the differences.
- Some were lighter, some were darker, some were a bit sweet, some had a bit of a roasted flavor… It was a real learning curve!
Honestly, this whole thing started as just wanting to try something new, but it turned into a full-blown hobby. I even found out that oolong is supposed to be really good for you, like, even better than green or black tea in some ways. I’m not a doctor or anything, but I figured, hey, if it tastes good and it’s healthy, why not? Plus, it’s just fun to explore all the different kinds and see what I like best.
Anyway, that’s my oolong tea story so far. I’m still trying new ones all the time, and it’s been a blast. If you’re looking for a new kind of tea to try, I definitely recommend giving oolong a shot. You might just discover your new favorite drink!
