#steepandsip

Oolong tea (3) - ORIENTAL BEAUTY (Dongfang Meiran)

I guarantee the background information on this tea will have you curious to get your hands on a cup... Originally named Oolong Formosa from it’s origin island of Taiwan (Formosa meaning beautiful island in Portuguese), the special tea was sipped on by Queen Elizabeth II herself, and an instant romance between her and the spiced fruit liquid gave her cause to re-name it to Oriental Beauty. 

But that isn’t the what will make you curious. It is the unique natural occurance in summer that makes this Oolong special to all others. The leaves are harvested in summer as little insects called jassids visit the tea gardens to nibble on the leaves. This nibblling causes the leaves to begin oxidising whilst still growing! This brings out a delicate peach and honey tone to the dark red leaves. Is this tea not enchanting already? 

This tea is grown at 1400 metres (4595 ft) in the region of Nantou. It is a 60% oxidised oolong, making it one of our black oolongs for all you dark tea drinkers.

taste:  fruity, spicey, honey, robust brew: 90 degrees C, for 4-5 minutes (redrew 40 seconds each)

p1, p2.

Black tea (2) - EARL GREY The term Earl Grey is applied to any black tea that has the oil of bergamot added for that distinct flavour we all love. It's name origins are to this day debated, but it originated in the 19th century across the UK. Hence why it is a staple in morning rituals especially in England. Did you know that bergamot is used to control cholestrol, making a cup of Earl grey good at fighting heart disease? 

Want some variation to your EG? try some of these:

- London Fog 

- Lady Grey

taste: floral, strong, citrus, aromatic

brew: 95 degrees C, 2-4 minutes (longer brew period when adding milk)

How do you have your Earl Grey? I love mine black with a wedge of lime!

Tisane Tea (2) - FRESH LEMON 

EVER ASKED WHY PEOPLE DRINK LEMON TEA IN THE MORNING?

Lemon tea should be essential for anybody as a daily routine. All you need is a wedge of lemon and hot water and abracadabra - done! But why? Besides keeping hydration levels up, there are other cool things lemon tea can do! Lemon tea is rich in antioxidants which are the good guys in your body that fight of the bad guys called free radicals whom are destroying your cells (nasty). Some studies have found antioxidant rich products prevent ageing, and can fight off cancers and the onset of Alzhiemer’s disease.  Lemon tea is also super rich in vitamin C, which of course prevents you getting those terrible winter colds, and also those wrinkles on your face. FACT: 1 lemon has almost 40mg of Vitamin C! 

THINGS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCEEDING IN LIFE #1- Knowing how to brew a standard cup of morning tea. 

“Tea is a work of art and needs a master hand to bring out the noblest qualities”

brew:

Prepare a kettle to heat your water to 95 degrees C;

Warm your teapot by rinsing it out with boiling water;

Add one teaspoon of tea leaves for each cup (250mL) and if you   want to be really traditionally English, add an extras spoonful for the pot;

Add the heated water and wait around 2-3m for a first flush darjeeling, or 3 minutes for other Indian / Singhalese teas;

Filter out all the leaves and serve in white porcelain.

‘What tea do i use?’ I hear you ask! For a traditional cuppa, Indian Assam tea if nice and rich and taste perfect with a dash of milk (and two sugars for all you Poms). FACT: English Breakfast tea is usually a blend of an Assam, plus tea leaves from East Ceylon and Kenya.