Oolong Tea, an old favorite; iTeaworld

Living on this side of the pond we see a lot of British tv. One of the things we’ve noticed is that, according to tv shows, almost every problem can be solved with a cup of tea.

Wha? Your kid was kicked out of school? Come in for a cuppa.

Or you’ve just been arrested for a terrorist attack that killed 1000’s and, before you’re questioned, you’re asked how you take your tea.

The truly amazing thing for me to learn is that, at least most of the Brits I know, are very blasé about the tea they drink. As long as it’s black and comes in a teabag they’re happy. I have asked what kind of tea someone would like – Earl Grey, Darjeeling, white, green… and I’m met with a blank look.

I first started drinking, and making tea, back in the beginning of time when we were doing business with a London firm. Our main contact was a tea snob, although at the time we thought he was just a typical Brit.

Tea in a little bag? Horrors!

No Assam Tea?!? Surely you at least have Souchong?

I developed a taste for tea.

I have coffee in the morning, black tea in the afternoon, and green tea anytime. I use loose tea, but I have tea bags on hand for my British friends.

Finding a source (other than 2 or 3 kinds of Twinning’s) here for tea has been a challenge. I have not had a cup of oolong, which was my favorite in the U.S. since I left the U.S.

That changed last month.

I got an email asking if I would like a tea sampler from iTeaworld. I had a choice of black or oolong.

Oolong? Yes, please.

A short time later I got these samplers in the post:

What a treat!

Who is iTeaworld?

In their own words: Our brand history is steeped in 15 years of commitment to the art of Chinese tea, and we have strived to become a platform where tea lovers can embark on an enlightening journey, from novice to connoisseur. Our extensive selection of teas includes both high mountain teas renowned for their remarkable value and distinctive flavors, and wild old tree teas cherished for their enhanced nutritional qualities and exquisite taste profiles.

The teas are organically sourced, the packaging is eco-friendly, and their philosophy is green sustainability.

And the oolong tea is fantastic!.

The tea in my cup is Dahongpao (Big Red Robe) and is my favorite of the 4 types that came in the Sampler.

What is oolong tea?

In the most general terms it’s tea made from leaves that are partially oxidized. The best oolong is made from cultivars used specifically to make oolong.

For health benefits it’s most often compared to green tea – and is the winner (but it’s a close contest). It has more anti-oxidants, is also good for weight loss / control, and contains fluoride so it’s even good for your teeth.

They also offer a variety of black teas and a sample box of those as well.

Last bit – they are harvesting tea from trees that are over 100 years old! They are working to keep as many of the old species of tea trees alive as possible in our changing world.