Interesting Teas: Monkey-Picked Oolong


Monkey Picked Oolong teaLegend has it that Buddist monks trained actual monkeys to climb to the top of the Camellia sinensis plant and pick the youngest tea buds for a premium oolong tea. The monks, you see, were to heavy to climb to the very top of the trees without damaging the branches. And the tea made from these young leaves was so delicious, they took the time to train the monkeys to pick it. I would imagine that only a monk would have the patience to train monkeys! Since then, the term “monkey picked” has referred to the highest quality of oolong tea available, rather than to the actual picking methods. And our Monkey-Picked Oolong tea is one of the highest quality teas available.

Oolong teas are among the most difficult to make well and require as much art as science. To make a great oolong tea requires not only the best and youngest whole tea leaves available, but also an artist to turn those leaves into delicious oolong tea. Monkey-picked Oolong is a Ti Kuan Yin tea from China. And because of the leaves used and the way it is made, it is an exceptional, but rare tea.

Oolongs are actually closer to green teas than to black teas, so if you enjoy drinking green teas you should try and oolong. They also share some health benefits of green and black teas, but have some unique qualities as well: they help lower cholesterol, lower the intake of fat from high-cholesterol meals, and increase metabolism. There are flavored Oolong teas available as well.

So if you enjoy the finer things in life, try our Monkey-picked Oolong tea. Because of the quality level, it is perfect for multiple infusions – each cup will offer differing characteristics of the tea for you to enjoy.

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July 15th, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Antonio
Posted on:
September 14, 2008 at 10:35 pm

What’s the best way to store used tea leaves from this tea after the first steep? Can I leave the wet leaves out and risk mold or do I place it in the refrigerator until ready to use again? I usually try to steep Oolong for 5-7 times.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
momof4
Posted on:
September 21, 2008 at 7:02 pm

I have never steeped my teas more than once. Do you add a little more fresh tea before you steep them again? I too would like to know how to store my tea between steeps.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Deborah
Posted on:
April 9, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Honestly,
Consider what happens to left-overs after refrigerating and then heating it up again. The taste changes.
That change may make your favorite cup the second steep after refrigeration but I wonder if the prolonged brake down of the ;eaves will give you a desirable cup.

I would use less leaves and re steep the five smaller cups in one night. That way you get the flavor experience while saving money which is what oolongs are good for.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Jivix
Posted on:
August 10, 2009 at 12:33 pm

I’m a newly born tea lover. Lets put it this way: I used to think Lipton was the only good tea. Anyways, I tried some Tung Ting oolong tea and now I’m hooked. I would say to just leave the hot steeped tea leaves in the filter to dry out. Since they were just in hot water they will dry out again relatively quickly and not develop mold. Actually my second steep tastes better than the first! I occasionally add a pinch more fresh tea to spice it up a bit, but it isn’t necessary at all.

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
monkey-picked oolong tea | Heaven of Tea
Posted on:
February 26, 2010 at 11:33 am

[...] a previous post we shared that “legend has it that Buddist monks trained actual monkeys to climb to the top of [...]

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Lisa
Posted on:
October 19, 2010 at 4:59 pm

I’ve worked at a tea shop of 5 years now and from what I have learned is its best to use the teas with in 24 hours. Some people say 12. But I just would use it any longer then the 24 so the mold doesn’t grow on the leaves. I also have had some costumers try and dry out the leave so they can reuse them in a few days but they have reported that it hasn’t worked out well. So I think its best to use them in the one day. I say Just keep the used tea out by your sink, thats what I’ve done for years, but I don’t see why keeping it in the refrigerator would be bad. What’s great about reusing the tea is the caffeine comes out in the first 30 seconds you steep your tea so every cup after that is like a decaf. Oolongs are the best teas for re-steeping. Some people put a little pinch of fresh leaves in the second steeping, but with oolongs the second and third steepings are the most prized and again the costumers have reported that those are they favorite too. You can drink it all the way until bed time. So I would say its not really needed to add more tea the 2-5 steeping unless you want the caffeine. Good luck with your tea steeping hope this helped.