Okay, so I’ve been on this tea kick lately, right? And not just any tea, I’m talking about the good stuff, the stuff that makes you go “whoa, that’s tea?” So, I heard about this thing called “Monkey Picked Oolong” and I was like, what’s the deal with this monkey business?

Turns out, it’s not actually picked by monkeys, which was kind of a let-down, but also a relief. I mean, I love monkeys, but do I want them handling my tea leaves? I don’t know. Anyway, the story goes that this tea is super rare, and back in the day, tea merchants used to call their best oolong “monkey picked” to make it sound extra fancy. It’s like calling your car a “limited edition” even though they made a million of them.

So, I did some digging, and apparently, this tea originates from Fujian province in China, which is like the Napa Valley of tea. And it’s been around since the 18th century, so you know it’s got some history behind it. I found out that it’s got this wild flavor profile, they say it combines lots of stuff. You know, like one of those fancy meals where the chef puts twenty different things on a plate and you’re not sure what you’re eating, but it tastes amazing.

Now, I had to get my hands on some of this monkey tea. I went online, found a site that seemed legit. It’s called “Yunnan Sourcing.” I ordered this stuff called “Competition Grade Tie Guan Yin.” It wasn’t cheap, let me tell you. But I figured, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right.

• The Waiting Game: It felt like forever, but finally, the package arrived. I ripped it open like a kid on Christmas morning.
• The First Brew: I followed the instructions on the packet, heated up the water, and steeped the leaves. The smell was incredible, it filled my whole kitchen. I poured the tea and took a sip.
• Mind Blown: Guys, this tea was insane. It was like a flavor explosion in my mouth. Rich, complex, I don’t even know how to describe it. I was tasting stuff I never knew tea could taste like. It’s like my taste buds were having a party.

It was a great experience. I felt like a true tea person after that. This “Monkey Picked Oolong” tea, or at least the “Competition Grade Tie Guan Yin” I tried, it’s the real deal. You all should try it sometimes!