Joy Luck

This is the most affordable and plain tasting oolong I’ve had. This is what I would expect to get when asking for hot tea or oolong tea at a restaurant. I’ll keep it in the cupboard for times of a good tea shortage.

Several of your “advent attack plans” have been aimed at revisiting teas that have been neglected for a while. That inspired me to make a cup of Joy Luck Oolong—first thing in the morning, no less. This wouldn’t be bad for a beginner oolong—inexpensive; can take longer, sloppier steeping, and is pleasantly toasty (somewhere between Wonder Bread and melba toast) with a little light plummy, fruity bit in the background.

Aha! We’ve found another one that husband will drink. This didn’t get a good rating the first time, but he and I were both sleep deprived and grumpy (ice storm). This morning’s review, which isn’t nearly as funny as Kiki’s: “Yes. Now that’s roasty tasting. I just don’t do the fancy fruit and flower stuff.”

As for me, I do agree—it’s a decent cuppa, with maybe a little bit of Juicy Fruit uptick at the very end.

The new year arrived with a bang at our house. Lots of them, actually. For those of you who have not had the privilege of weathering a Midwest ice storm, there’s nothing like hearing frozen limbs slam onto your roof and praying that they don’t jab holes in your shingles. Come join us next time! (All appears to be well and the power lines held.)

I had already set this out to drink on New Year’s morning, but a little joy was especially in order after the lousy night’s sleep. Gifted to us by niece and nephew along with some other funny, random Chinese grocery items (smoked eel, anybody?), it was nicely and securely sealed, with big, rolled leaves.

According to my husband, who likes his oolong stewed to the consistency of mud, it “wasn’t toasty enough.” Sleep-deprived impatient steeping probably had something to do with that. However, I liked it just fine—it is does lean toward the wheat-toast flavor category rather than peachy-fruity. Perfectly acceptable second steep.

For an inexpensive oolong, it does hit the spot~. You can brew it to your own desire, more mild or stronger. I love the unique taste of Oolong, an earthy, full-body concoction that brings me some peace any time I drink it. I have tried it both hot and cold, but I have to say the hot is better becuase there is more flavor than it’s cold counterpart.

The directions on the can recommend rinsing the leaves with hot water before steeping. I use 3-4 tsp for 1 qt. of water and steep in a ceramic pot for 1 – 1 1/2 minutes, first pot. I reuse as needed with longer steep times. I bring the water to a boil and let it sit for a minute before pouring.

I picked this up at a local Asian market. The green leaves are rolled more gunpowder style and brewed look like lovely full green leaves. The most prevalent flavor is smokiness with a touch of vegetal green. This is an easy, smooth reasonably priced tea that is good hot or cold. I enjoy it with a touch of honey and lime juice.

Bagged
Aroma when Dry: Dusty, sweet, floral
After water is first poured: sweet, floral
Tea liquor:
At end of steep: yellow brown
Staple? No.
Time of day preferred: any
Taste:
first notes: dusty, slight buttery note, weak jasmine floral
As it cools?
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? Floral notes linger faintly

This is not a bad everyday green tea, its inexpensive enough to brew it frequently.
The flavor notes are slightly smoky, with a very subtle hint of green tea sweetness. It is steepable up to 2-3 times.

I get mine from the Super H Mart in Dallas area.

Today, I discovered a nearby Oriental market that was literally a mile from my house. I wanted to cry when I went in, because I could have been buying my spicy ramen, wasabi, frozen dumplings, and tea there the entire year since I moved here.

Anyway, since I walked there, I was limited in what I could carry… and I wasn’t leaving without a case of Shin Bowl. But I made sure to get some Thai tea. I have a pitcher cooling in the fridge as I write this. No steeping involved, just mixing it with hot water.

It smelled heavenly when I opened the container. Like creamy, soft vanilla. I found that the ratio on the label made it rather weak, so I nearly doubled it. For 5 cups of water, I used 21 teaspoons of mix. Don’t judge me! It’s pretty good this way. Still not as strong as the Thai tea we make where I work, but it’s close. And it’s good for how convenient it is to make. No sticky, sweetened condensed milk to deal with.

There is a sort of powdered milk taste that I’m not liking about it, though. It’s mostly in the aftertaste, but it reminds me of the center of a Whopper. (The chocolate-covered malt candy, not the burger.)

I enjoyed this tea

I posted this, so I like it. :D