Oolong with ginseng: properties and rules for brewing
Tea is one of the most common drinks in the world. In some countries, it is even called the elixir of youth. Indeed, some types of tea can significantly improve human health, help to cope with many diseases and add vitality. One of them is ginseng oolong, the most common variety of tea in the East.
Procurement technology
Ginseng oolong leaves are harvested in the fall, when the plant has already fully absorbed all the beneficial substances. It is especially important that by this time a sufficient amount of tannin is formed in the leaves. After harvesting, the leaves are laid out in the sun and left to dry for a while. Thus, the process of fermentation of the future tea is carried out. The natural ginseng extract is then obtained by grinding the ginseng root along with additional medicinal herbs. For example, holly leaves, licorice root, etc. This combination significantly increases the beneficial properties of tea and its positive effect on the body.
The fermented tea leaves are finished at the stage of combining with plant extracts and twisting. Next, the blanks are steamed and fried. The result is brown leaves with a golden sheen, which remain green inside. Due to this feature, ginseng oolong began to be called "jade tea".
Raw materials for tea leaves are harvested in Taiwan high in the mountains.Tea is also harvested on the mainland in the Chinese province of Fujian in the south.
Taste and aroma
Oolong with ginseng cannot be attributed to the varieties of tea with a sharp and tart smell. The aroma of such a drink is very gentle, it is usually compared with the smell of an orchid. Depending on the strength of the tea, the taste of ginseng becomes softer and more grassy. The aftertaste is sweet and long. But despite the tenderness of taste and aroma, such a drink is an invigorating elixir that gives a lot of vitality. At the same time, such a drink allows you to relax and escape from external problems.
That is why ginseng oolong must be drunk consciously and slowly in order to fully experience the effect.
Beneficial features
The healing qualities of ginseng oolong are truly legendary. In Chinese tradition, in Taiwan and in general throughout the East, this drink is incredibly common and valuable. With its help, it is possible to quickly increase concentration, increase efficiency and vigor. That is why green tea with ginseng is recommended to drink with increased mental and physical stress. Also, a medicinal drink helps to improve the body's resistance, get rid of headaches and even cleanses the body of toxins. At the same time, with its help, it will be possible to reduce anxiety and get rid of stress, put the nervous system in order.
Also, regular use of oolong with ginseng has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, strengthens the vascular walls and arteries, helps to solve problems of the gastrointestinal tract, and lowers cholesterol levels. Another drink significantly improves the complexion, rejuvenating and toning the skin, and also promotes healing of the gums and eliminates bad breath.
Contraindications
But before you brew a healing drink, you must definitely familiarize yourself with all the possible restrictions on its use. Only then will oolong bring all its benefits without harm. We list the most common cases when a drink may be contraindicated:
- Individual intolerance. You should not drink such tea at once in large portions, if you do not know if you are allergic to it. Women should also be careful during pregnancy. The body's reaction to ginseng at this time can be unpredictable.
- Hypertension. Ginseng oolong increases the level of blood pressure, so you should not abuse this drink if you have problems with the heart and blood vessels.
- Also, oolong tea is not recommended for children under the age of 12., because the drink has an excessively strong stimulating effect on the young body.
In addition, if you simultaneously use any preparations that contain ginseng, you should refuse such tea so that there is no overdose of active substances in the body.
For the same purpose, it is worth periodically alternating this type of tea with others. The frequency can be approximately 10-14 days. Then the effect of the use of ginseng oolong will not disappear and will remain pronounced.
Brewing Recipes
We offer you two options for preparing oolong with ginseng.
For the first one, you will need 5 ounces of water and 5-6 small spoons of tea leaves. Usually such tea is brewed with hot water at a temperature of no more than 80 degrees, and not with boiling water, at the rate of 1 part of water to 4 parts of leaves. It is necessary to brew a drink for about 40 seconds, no more. Do not leave the drink for longer.At the same time, you can top up the kettle 8 or 10 more times.
Use a special Yixing teapot for brewing. It has a special shape that is best for cooking ginseng with oolong tea. So you need less tea leaves and the preparation of the drink will take a minimum amount of time. You can also preheat the kettle a little to reduce heat loss and increase the quality of the brewed tea.
For the second method of making a magical drink, you need to pour 1 tablespoon of tea leaves with hot water. The first portion of water must be immediately drained, and then again pour water over the leaves for about 15 seconds. After each subsequent brewing, oolong will acquire a different, but no less wonderful taste.
How to drink?
There are several basic rules that should be followed when using ginseng oolong tea:
- Drink it only in the morning. Due to the pronounced tonic effect, tea can disrupt all your plans - at night you will not be able to sleep, and in the morning you will feel overwhelmed.
- Do not drink the drink on an empty stomach. In this case, weakness and dizziness may appear, which will affect further performance. So instead of a tonic and invigorating effect, you will get quite the opposite.
If you are not in a hurry, then you can arrange a real tea ceremony right at home. This ceremony is called Gong Fu Cha. For it, you will need a special clay teapot, several bowls, and also chahay - special dishes specially designed for tea so that all the leaves are brewed evenly. First, you should carefully warm the kettle so that the subsequent brewing of the leaves allows them to fully reveal all their taste and aroma.Pour hot water into the clay teapot, wait a few seconds, and then pour the liquid into the chahai. Next, pour some ginseng oolong tea into the teapot and fill everything with water again.
Wait just a few seconds, no more than 20, and pour the healing invigorating drink into bowls. It is important at the time of the ceremony to forget about all the negative thoughts that disturb you. Take your time, enjoy every sip of fragrant oolong.
Such a ritual will take quite a bit of time. But immediately after the ceremony, you will feel a huge surge of strength. Physical condition will improve, and emotional problems will seem light and insignificant.
How to choose?
Due to the fact that ginseng oolong tea is very popular all over the world, many fakes of this variety can be found on the markets. Unscrupulous sellers take advantage of the ignorance and inexperience of some buyers with great success. This is especially true for foreign tourists in the East. Such tea is usually sold in the form of twisted balls of various sizes. They are green, but in different shades. Most often, ginseng oolong is light and dark green, as well as golden brown. The aroma of this tea cannot be too sharp and pronounced.
Often, sellers decide to save a significant amount and instead of natural ginseng, they put its synthetic analogues and flavors into the mixture. This can negatively affect your health. In addition, often crushed ginseng root is simply replaced with other herbs.
Such a move is less dangerous, but still you should not buy licorice at the price of selected mountain ginseng.
Therefore, always carefully choose the seller and the store where you are going to make a purchase.You should not think that a bag of herbs bought in an underground passage for a penny will be a genuine healing drink. If you buy oolong in an online store, be sure to look at the reviews on the web for this supplier or ask your colleagues and friends if they have already made a similar purchase and whether they were satisfied with the quality of the product. Feel free to ask the seller in detail about the origin of tea.
Of course, it is better to buy such tea on the territory of the manufacturer. But if you do not have such an opportunity, you should not look for the cheapest option, neglecting the quality. After all, tea is not just a drink to quench your thirst or an occasion for gatherings in the kitchen, it is a real healing gift of nature, which, with the right approach, can work real miracles with the human body.
You will learn more about the drink in the following video.