Jungle Jim’s and tea shopping

My friend and I were headed to Cincy to visit another friend...with some time to spare we did a road trip to Jungle Jim's.  I love Jungle Jim and in some ways I am glad I don't live closer, lol.

It is the most unique and fun international grocery store I have been too.  There is almost anything you could ask for and from about any country or region you could think of.

https://junglejims.com/

Since I am doing my Passport to Tea 2023 and featuring 12 different countries, I was in search of tea from any of those countries.

Check out these restrooms!!!!

Barb and I thought they were real port a pots!  But, once you walk in, it opens up to a giant restroom.  This was a hoot!

There are over 200,000 square feet of shopping with over 180,000 items!!

I had the most fun in the Asian isles...searching for tea and for treats from those countries.  I found some tea and treats from Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. 

Great Britain had the largest selection of teas, but most all of them I can find in most stores.  I did not purchase anything from the English area.

We spend over 2 hours in Jungle Jim's.  It is just incredible to see all the food.  If you are doing ANYTHING ethnic I would recommend a visit here.

And the décor is super cool too!  There is a real boat, a real fire truck, and so much more!

I found some fun canned teas too, Yeo's I was familiar with from when I was in Malaysia.

I picked up some Oolong, since that is my favorite kind of tea. 

In the Turkey area I saw the tea I had already purchased, so I was pleased I had bought the right tea earlier.

This is the Swiss tea that my grandpa used to get us.  I am stocked up on this, so I didn't need to buy any, but the price I thought was really good.

They had a Kombucha bar.  I was hoping they were selling their own blend.  Sadly there were not, it was GTS.  And even though I love GTS, I did not buy any.  I decided to buy some local kombucha I had never tried before.

Yes, you might need this map to get around!!!!!

These were some of the goodies I picked up for my tea classes.

Ahh, Jungle Jim's...I will see you again my friend!!!

We were only in the city for about 4 hours, but it was really fun.

Even a quick trip to KY, lol!!!

Psalm 96:3
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!

Hong Kong Milk Tea

We sold out the 11am class- yay!!!!  

9am class still has 4 seats left.

I had milk tea in Hong Kong....okay it was the airport, but it was still the Hong Kong airport....so it counts.  :) 

Hong Kong Milk Tea...Hong Kong

 Milk Tea is essential in Hong Kong, they learned to make it when they were under British Rule.  The tea varies from cafe to cafe- some sweet and some are strong.  The British drank milk in their tea and that filtered down to Hong Kong. 

Hong Kong milk tea was made with very strong black tea and very rich milk.  In the 1950's Mr Chun Yip formalized the  method for making Hong Kong Milk tea.

It is said that Milk Tea was created in a Cha Chaan Teng ( Coffee and Tea Cafe)- Lan Fong Yuen, in central Hong Kong.  In the 1940's ships would come to Hong Kong pier and the sailors would give the owner, Mr. Chun-Yip, of Lan Fong Yuen, tea.  He would collect the tea in a glass jar, not wanting to waste any of the tea.  He would mix the tea together and brew it.  He mixed milk and it would be richer.  They are now well known outside Hong Kong in China and all over Asia for their milk tea.

His mixture is 6 types of tea- put into a "stocking".  They mix the tea and the water together.  The water temp is 212 degrees.  They put on the stove and once the water starts to bubble it is time to pull the tea.  Pulling the tea is straining it back and forth between kettles, with the tea in the stocking.   Strain the tea in the stocking into another kettle then repeat, repeating 6 times.  The tea has to be steeped long enough to bring out the color and fragrance.  Then fill the cup with 1/3 c evaporated milk then tea is added.

Milk Tea started because Chinese were not into cows milk.  Cow's milk just wasn’t a thing.   When the British came in the 19th century to Hong Kong with tea and were adding milk to the tea- which went against the way Chinese drank their tea.  The Chinese were at a loss- cows milk was super expensive and they didn’t have the access to it.  Then in the 20th century evaporated milk became a thing- they used that.  It was cheap, available, easy to store, long lasting, and delicious.  And today it is still used- and it won’t be Hong Kong Milk Tea if it didn’t have evaporated milk in it. 

Also the British milk tea is real soft, mild, and light in an almost diluted way- milk tea with evaporated milk kind of snacks you in the face with the flavors.  It’s decadent. 

Every tea master makes their milk tea different.  So much plays into the taste- Temperature of the water, the steep time, how many times they pull the tea, the tea blend- all are said to play into the nuances of the taste.

People are pretty secretive about their methods- but most teas are made of a Ceylon tea, or Shrinklan tea- a blend of strong, brisk, black teas.  Some use an Ceylon Orange Pekoe tea. Orange Pekoe is a grade of tea- it is the youngest and tenderest tea leaves- it contains the new, first flush leaves only.  There is NO orange flavor in Orange Pekoe.

 Infuse the tea 2-3 minutes from 10-12 minutes. The pulling method- pouring through the stocking supposedly enhances the flavor, the color, and also softens the astringency.  Mix with evaporated milk.  Others say pull/pour 4 times, not 6 times.  And they say 30% milk not 20%. So, you can see the recipe varies.

The taste has a tannin forward, astringent, tangy, and then after you swallow you get the rich, smooth, creamy milky evaporated milk.  If you make it cold- they add condensed milk,

From one of the You Tube videos I watched.  This was the recipe they came up with. 

Hong Kong Milk Tea, also known as silk stocking tea

they did tea blend- Shrilankan tea- Ceylon- very brisk, bright

2 parts Cut Ceylon tea to one part Empress Oolong, one part Fire Phoenix Puerh- all ground up

then ground red dates

1 tsp cut tea per 100 ml of water

bring to boil

trick in Hong Kong is too put in half an egg shell (although I watched 6-8 you tube videos and I never saw anyone add an egg shell)

steep for 10 minutes

pull out the egg shell

pull the tea- pour it back and forth- from kettle to kettle through the sock

then pour into your final kettle- using a very fine filter

then add the 30% evaporated milk 

I found some milk tea at Jungle Jim's that I thought would be fun to share at my milk tea, Passport to Tea 2023.

Be ready for fun tomorrow in the Hong Kong Milk Tea Class....

Psalm 96:3
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!

Masala Chai class in Wadsworth with New World Spice and Tea Traders

It may have been a cold snowy day outside, but inside it was warm and cozy.

The warm, comforting aroma of chai spices filled the shop.  

Chai is tea in India, so if you want the spicey tea- say Masala Chai, other wise if you say you want chai tea- you are saying you want a tea tea.  

It was so much fun to partner with New World Spice and Tea Traders for a day of chai.  We had an 11am class and a 1pm chai class.

New World has so many fun spices, oils, and teas in the shop.  If you have not been, you need to visit.

https://www.facebook.com/newworldspiceandtea?mibextid=ZbWKwL

138 main St, Wadsworth, OH

The cost was $15 per person and each person got to blend their own chai blend.

We talked about the spices and their health benefits and what they could bring to the chai.

Ginger is lemony, woody, earthy and warm.

Ginger increases serotonin and dopamine levels. This can reduce inflammation, which may cause depression. Ginger could also provide benefits for anxiety, depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ease stomach pains: Ginger can treat nausea and motion sickness. Better Digestion. Ginger helps speed up the digestion process and empty your stomach more quickly, Improves Immunity, Alleviates PMS Symptoms, Relieves Nausea and Upset Stomach, May Help With Cancer, Reduces Pain, Healthier Skin, Weight Loss Aid.

Star anise has a very strong, distinct flavor that is warm, sweet, and spicy.

Star anise  It has anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and may fight stomach ulcers, keep blood sugar levels in check and reduce symptoms of depression and menopause. Combined with a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle, anise seed could improve several aspects of your health

I had some friends show up and surprise me at this tea- which added to the day too.

Even with one arm I was able to talk about chai and health benefits and history of the tea.

Cinnamon A sweet and woody flavor, cinnamon has a slight citrusy note, and its spicy taste is often likened to the powerful punch of cloves.

Cinnamon - Contains powerful medicinal properties, loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, Could protect against heart disease, Could improve sensitivity to insulin, Helps lower blood sugar levels, May have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases, Boost Metabolism, Great Skin, Help Treat Cancer, Protect Your Brain. 

Everyone was given a sheet with the spices listed and their benefits.  Each person was also given a recipe card to write down their unique chai blend.  They also had a measuring spoon, to go cup, empty tea bag, and mortar and pestle to blend with.

My friends that surprised me.

Spices before blending....they are beautiful!!

blending the spices....

I love sharing my passion of tea.  And to watch people create their blends was so fun.  Seeing friends laughing and mother and daughters having fun warmed my heart.

It was a successful day!!!!

It went so well we are partnering again for another tea!!  

Check out the Mother Daughter tea on April 29th.

2pm, $20 a pair ($10 each additional guest)

Psalm 96:3
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!

Mother's day tea day options

I am super excited to have three tea options for you and your mother or daughter this year.

This is my first Mothers Day in the tea business and I am excited to have these fun opportunities to offer you and the women in your life.

Watch Facebook and my blog for more details...

2pm, $20 a pair, $10 an additional guest

2pm, $30 a person

Psalm 96:3
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!