[Body]

Alright, let’s yak about this “good oolong tea,” you know, the kind them fancy folks in the city are always goin’ on about. I ain’t no expert, mind you, just an old woman who’s seen a thing or two and likes a good cuppa now and then.

First off, what is this oolong stuff anyway? Well, it’s tea, plain and simple. But not like that dusty Lipton stuff you get at the store. This is the real deal, the kind they say is good for ya. They say it’s got all sorts of fancy things in it, like “ant-eye-ox-see-dents.” Sounds like somethin’ you’d spray on bugs, if you ask me, but they say it keeps you from gettin’ sick. Kept me alive this long, ain’t it?

Now, there’s different kinds of oolong, just like there’s different kinds of apples. Some are strong and bitter, like a grumpy old man, and some are smooth and sweet, like a summer breeze. I heard tell of one called “Fine Ti Kuan Yin.” Sounds like somethin’ you’d name a racehorse, not a tea! They say it tastes like flowers, which is kinda odd if you ask me, but folks seem to like it. It looks like those little green worms and when you put water in them it turns gold, like magic.

• Strong stuff good for wakin’ up
• Flowery kind, good for sittin’ on the porch

Then there’s this stuff from Taiwan. Taiwan, that’s an island, ain’t it? Anyways, they grow a lot of tea over there, ’cause the weather’s just right, all misty and damp. They got all sorts of different kinds, more than you can shake a stick at. They must be doin’ somethin’ right, ’cause everyone and their brother wants that Taiwan tea.

Now, why are folks so keen on this oolong? Well, like I said, they say it’s good for you. Keeps you from gettin’ that sugar sickness, the one where you gotta poke yourself with needles all the time. And it’s supposed to be good for your heart too. Not that I know much about hearts, other than the fact that mine’s still beatin’ after all these years.

But here’s the thing, you can’t just drink a cup of tea and expect all your problems to go away. Life ain’t that simple. You gotta eat your vegetables, get some sunshine, and move your bones every now and then. And pray a little too, that never hurt nobody. But a good cup of tea, well, that can make things a little bit better, can’t it? It can warm you up on a cold day, calm you down when you’re all worked up, and give you a little somethin’ to look forward to.

So, if you’re lookin’ for a “good oolong tea,” don’t get all caught up in the fancy names and the fancy talk. Just find somethin’ that tastes good and makes you feel good. And if you can find it cheap, well, that’s even better. ‘Cause let me tell you, them city folks charge an arm and a leg for this stuff, and half the time it ain’t even worth it. Just good, warm, and makes you feel alright.

And one last thing, don’t go boilin’ the water to death. Just get it nice and hot, but not too hot. And don’t let it steep too long, or it’ll get all bitter and nasty. Just a few minutes, that’s all it takes. And for goodness sake, don’t go puttin’ sugar in it. That just ruins the whole thing. If it’s a good tea, it’ll be good all by itself.

Well, that’s about all I got to say about oolong tea. Hope it made some sense to ya. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go put the kettle on. All this talk about tea has made me thirsty.

Tags: oolong tea, health benefits, tea types, Taiwanese oolong, Ti Kuan Yin, antioxidants, heart health, diabetes prevention