Ding Dong Oolong

I love Oolong, it is my favorite kind of tea.  When you make an Oolong, you do not want to boil the water.  I usually go with 175 or 185 degrees.  If you go higher you can bruise the leaves and then it ruins the taste of the tea.  Water temp and steeping time is so important when you make a cuppa.

I purchased this Ding Dong Oolong tea last year when I was at Jungle Jims in Cincinnati.  Jungle Jims is a great place to find a lot of fun and ethnic teas...along with thousands of other items. 

https://junglejims.com/

https://ratetea.com/tea/tradition/dong-ding-oolong/4660/

"Tradition is a Taiwanese brand of tea, owned by Good Young Co., Ltd.. Tradition tea is available both loose and in tea bags.

Teas of this brand can be somewhat difficult to obtain. They are sometimes available at Asian markets, and some of their teas are also available through some online vendors, but they do not have the widespread distribution of many Asian brands of tea." RateTea

https://www.taiwantrade.com/products/search.html?word=tea&type=product&style=gallery

This tea comes freezer packed inside the tin.  When you open the bag you see this beautiful rolled Taiwanese Oolong Tea.

I took a teaspoon tea and put it in my steeper.  I then added some warm water and swished around to rinse of the tea.  I have learned that some teas are best to rinse...they say another one is the jasmine tea.  You rinse the leaves and walk the tea up

I steeped the tea for about 3 minutes and then let it drip into the mug.

This is a really nice tea.  I am trying more and more to drink unflavored Oolong teas and see if I can learn about their favors.  The flavors are based on so many things- the the climate, the harvest time, the drying, and the origin. 

This is a great article on Oolong- https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-oolong-tea.htm

This is really nice Taiwanese Oolong. The price was good.  The flavors are really nice, smooth, and light.  I was able to make two really nice cups of tea.  I am still learning about these unflavored teas, but I like this one.  It is still hard to beat a good coconut Oolong tea for me.  But, this is step one in me trying to broaden my Oolong horizons. 

Golden Milk Latte, Harney & Sons- also featuring a Rudy Whistle Pottery Mug

I am a huge fan of turmeric.  I am always trying to find new turmeric drinks.  I love the Golden Milk Lattes.  Golden Milk is packed with so much goodness.  For me it is a step up from a chai.  Chai has those great spices, but I think the Golden Milk kind of elevates the spices and flavors...and it so good for you.

When you go to the cafe a Golden Milk latte can cost you around $3.50-$5.00.

But, you can make them at home cheaper and the way you like it.

You can get this 8 oz for $24.00, that gives you roughly 100 lattes.

Golden milk, also known as haldi doodh in hindi or as turmeric milk in popular culture, is a drink with a lot of history. ... The basic recipe involves combining animal or plant milk, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and some kind of sweetener. Some recipes also include black pepper, nutmeg, or other spices and sweeteners.

The potential benefits of golden milk include:
1. Reducing inflammation
2. Preventing cell damage
3. Improving mood
4. Supporting brain function and improving memory
5. Preventing heart disease
6. Possibly reducing the risk of cancer
7. Lowering blood sugar levels
8. Boosting the immune system
9. Improving bone health
10. Aiding digestion

Ingredients:
Turmeric, ginger, coconut, black pepper, chicory root powder. 

https://www.harney.com/collections/mind-your-body-teas-herbs/products/golden-milk-wellness-blend

To make my Golden Milk Latte I put Oat Milk in my frother and add 1 tsp of the latte powder and blend.  It really is that quick and that easy!!  It heats the latte, but I add ice to cool it down.  It is delicious!  I am just obsessed with with Golden Milk right now.

When I first started drinking it I added maple syrup, but since I am watching my weight, I no longer add any sweetness to it.

With the oat milk there is a richness and creaminess that adds so much to this tea.  I mate it with an almond milk and I was not such a fan- it was more watery. 

I made this for my co-workers ... and they really enjoyed it

My friend owns a pottery studio and she made me this amazing mug!!! I am drinking this Golden Milk Latte more and more, so this time I used her new great mug.

https://www.facebook.com/RudyWhistlePotteryStudio/

This is fantastic.   Super healthy, great tasting, and really affordable.  I love the coconut pieces in there!  There is a nice pepper flavor that comes through too.  I am a huge fan of this latte mix!!

The Slow Train Cafe in Oberlin, Lavender Earl Grey Iced Tea

Abby and I were both in Vermilion for the Bible Missionary Conference at Beulah Beach Camp.  We wanted to take one of our afternoons and find teas in the area.  While we were out an about we saw a field of Sunflowers.  We popped out and snapped a few pics.

We were all over the place.  One of the towns we went to was Oberlin.   We were sad to find that The Local Coffee and Tea place was closed.  This was the second time we have tried to get tea here.

We walked across the street and went to the cute bakery and Abby bought some cake for her family to share.

This is a really cute bakery!  The Blue Rooster Bakehouse is adorable.

https://blueroosterbakehouse.com/

We then walked up the street and around the corner and went to The Slow Train Cafe.  This is the second time we have been here together.

I decided to try their Lavender Earl Grey Iced Tea.  with Homemade Lavender Syrup...but when I asked if it was local lavender, I was told it was a bottled syrup.  I was not impressed with the false advertising. They actually used Monin syrup.

There is indoor seating. 

There is outdoor seating as well.

The Lavender Earl Grey had nice notes of lavender and yet I could still tell it was an Earl Grey based tea.

The lavender Earl Grey tea was really nice and the price was great.  But, they are getting a 3 tea cup rating because the claim to use homemade lavender syrup but this is a bottled syrup that  I have in my home.  Why say homemade when it is store bought?????

Maps is a great way to find things in your area.  I love to go to a new town and type in tea and see what is around me.

 

Woodstock, Sunshine Daydream Latte - Iced, Vermilion Ohio

I spent a week in Vermilion Ohio on vacation.  It was my summer camps 100th birthday.  It was a great week.  There were speakers, music and lots of friends.

One afternoon while in town I went on a tea run for my 4 girlfriends and myself.  I love the coconut lattes (the Sunshine Daydream) at Woodstock, so this was first choice to grab drinks.

https://www.woodstockcafeandcoffee.com/

I love the vibe in this place...the windows hanging up are my favorite.  But the bike table is a close second.  Everything about the decor is cool!

The food here is really good too.  I have eaten here a few times and always enjoyed the food.  The prices are a bit high, but the food is worth it.  I have never left hungry or dissatisfied with the food.

When I was here in May I got the Sunshine Latte and I have to say I was disappointed.  But, this time was great.  No wonder I have not been able to duplicate it- it must be a hard latte to make.  But, the barista did a fantastic job with this drink.

The coconut chai was great and I loved the cinnamon and the coconut flakes.  This drink hit the spot,  i would give it 5 tea cups this trip.  The price is good, the flavor was delicious. 

I headed back to the pool with teas for my friends.  It was a great relaxing afternoon in the sun.

I think this may have been the first time in 5 or 6 years that I have lazed by a pool.  It was wonderful though to hang with friends and drink tea.

Sometimes you need to take the time to relax and enjoy yourself.  It was a hot one, but I admit this did fill up my tank.

While in town, I found my favorite animal...a moose.  I could not resist a quick photo while I was filing up my car with gas.

There is nothing like a Lake Erie sunset!!!