Sep 27, 2008

Yongchun Fo Shou (Bergamot) Oolong (永春佛手)

Edited in 02/10


My bond with oolong started from love at first sight. Then for many times, different varietals of oolong gave me nice surprises. It took me a long time to find a product of Yongchun Fo Shou. The origin of Fo Shou tea cultivar is a mystery. Many people say it was obtained by engrafting tea tree with Fo Shou (bergamot) tree - before I got my Fo Shou oolong, just this idea of engrafting fascinated me. Bergamot is from the plant family of Rutaceae, genus citrus. Most of my favorite fragrant essential oils are from this family! The engrafting theory of Fo Shou oolong has never been proved. But the characteristics of this tea do remind the fragrance of Fo Shou fruits.

Sep 19, 2008

Goji berries


Goji is an important medical plants in Tibet as well as the entire Asia. Its berries are very nutritious and have therapeutic effects for dehydration (excellent for winter dehydration caused by household heaters) and eye fitness (release dry eyes and overall improve vision).

To make a cup of goji herbal tea, simply pour hot water on 5-8 dried goji berries (or 15-20 berry for a big pot of goji tea for family to share). The goji berries can be brewed repetitively for a few times and at the end, you may eat the berries to get all the nutrients.

Goji herbal tea has a unique herbal flavor, goes well by goji itself, with sugar, with longan (a fruity herbal tea) or with rose buds.

What tea wares do you keep in your office?

Mine include:
(I normally drink rose bud, red tea, oolong tea and jasmine green tea in office)
1. A teapot with built-in filter, for herbal tea and red tea - bought from tjmaxx for around $10-15

2. A water boiler, plastic, but no plastic odor, yeah! - bought from target for less than $10

3. A taiwanese modern style tea pot, which has two layers and allow you to separate brewed tea from tea leaves. I use this for my expensive oolong tea and only when I have time to enjoy.

4. Three tiny tea cups (around 2inch in diameter and 1inch in height) for oolong tea to treat friends and myself.

5. A fabric placemat - bought from target for 1 or 2 bucks.

6. A mug for a quick treatment of jasmine green tea.

7. A small tray (6inch by 6inch) to put my tea cups on.

8. A used plastic tofu tray (4inch by 5inch) to hold cups and small pots when carrying them to sink for washing - was a package of tofu from grocery

9. A small wooden tea spoon and a small pair of wooden tongs to grab loose tea leaves

10. A half-gallon thermo-pot - bought from tjmaxx for around $15

My office is tiny. All above (excluding the water boiler and the thermo-pot) occupy 1/3 of a small drawer.

How about you?