Okay, so the other day I was craving something warm and comforting, but I also wanted a bit of a pick-me-up. That’s when I remembered I had this ginseng oolong tea in my cupboard. I’d bought it a while back, intrigued by the whole idea of combining oolong with ginseng.

I boiled some water in my old, trusty kettle and grabbed my favorite mug. It’s got these cute little cats on it, always makes me smile. Anyway, I opened the tin of ginseng oolong, and wow, the smell that hit me! It was kind of earthy, but also sweet, and just really inviting. I put a couple of teaspoons of the tea leaves into my infuser—one of those metal ball things—and popped it into the mug.

Then, I poured the hot water over the leaves and watched as the water started to turn a lovely golden color. The steam carried that amazing scent up to my nose, and I just stood there for a moment, inhaling deeply. It was like a mini aromatherapy session right there in my kitchen.

The Tasting

• I let it steep for about five minutes, just like the instructions on the tin said. Then, I took out the infuser, gave the tea a little stir, and took my first sip.
• First, I felt the familiar oolong, kind of smooth and a bit toasty. And then, there it was, that sweet, slightly spicy ginseng flavor. It wasn’t overpowering at all, just a nice little hint that made the tea feel extra special.

I sat down on my comfy couch, wrapped a blanket around myself, and just savored that cup of tea. It warmed me up from the inside out, and I did feel a bit more energized afterward, but in a gentle, calm way. Not like the jittery buzz you get from coffee, you know?

Honestly, this ginseng oolong tea is becoming one of my go-to drinks, especially on chilly evenings. It’s just so unique and comforting. It tastes amazing, but it also makes me feel good, and that’s really what I’m looking for in a cup of tea.