Oolong, that tea, you know, the one my neighbor’s kid always drinks. He say it good for you, make you live long time. He tell me how to make it. He talk and talk, but I remember some. Now, I tell you. This tea, it not like that black tea. That one, you just boil water, pour on, done. This oolong, more work.

That boy, he say oolong brew temp, very important. Not too hot, not too cold. Just like Goldilocks, you know that story? Water need be just right. He say, if too hot, tea taste like dirt. Too cold, no taste at all. Like drinking plain water. Waste of good tea, I say. And that tea, it not cheap!

First, you need good water. Not that water from the well. Too many things in it. You use that clean water, the one you buy in big bottle. Then, you boil that water. But not all the way! That boy, he say, watch for little bubbles. Not big bubbles, like when you boil egg. Little ones, like fish eyes. That’s the right oolong brew temp.

He also say use good pot. Not that old tin one I use for everything. He say use that fancy pot, the one with the little holes inside. You put tea in there, then pour the water. Not too much water! Just enough to cover tea. Then you wait. That boy, he say different wait time for different tea. Some short, some long. But he say for oolong, not too long.

Then, that boy say something, very important. You pour out all the water, first time. Don’t drink that! He say it “wakes up” the tea. I don’t know what that means. But he say, do it. So, I do it. Then, you pour more water, that same oolong brew temp, little bubbles. This time, you wait little longer. Maybe sing a song, or say a prayer. Then, you pour tea in cup.

He say, good oolong, smell like flower, taste sweet, little bit like grass. But good grass! Not like that weed in my garden. He say, drink slow, enjoy. Don’t gulp it down like that cheap beer your husband drinks. This tea, you savor it. It good for you, that boy say. Make you healthy, make you live long, make you happy.

I try it, that oolong tea. It okay, I guess. Little bit too much work for me. But maybe, if I drink it every day, I live to be hundred. Then I can tell all my friends, I know how to make oolong tea. I know the right oolong brew temp. That boy, he teach me good.

• Get good water, not well water.
• Boil water, but not too much. Look for small bubbles.
• Use good pot, not old tin one.
• Pour water over tea, but not too much.
• Pour out first water, “wake up” tea.
• Pour more water, same temperature.
• Wait little longer this time.
• Pour tea in cup, enjoy slow.

That boy also say, how much tea to use, important too. He say use your finger, make a circle. That much tea for one cup. Too much tea, too strong. Not enough tea, too weak. He say, you learn, you practice. You find what you like. I still learning, but that’s okay. Old dog can learn new tricks, you know!

So, there you have it. That’s how you make oolong tea. That oolong brew temp, it the secret. Remember, not too hot, not too cold. Little bubbles, like fish eyes. And don’t drink that first water! That boy, he say, very important. You try it. Maybe you like it. Maybe it make you live long time too. Then we can both be old and drink oolong tea together. We can talk about how we know the right way to make it, and how we don’t use no black tea.

He say some oolong rolled up tight, like little balls. Some oolong not rolled, look like leaves. He say different types, need different oolong brew temp. But I don’t remember all that. Too much to remember! He say about 195 degrees, that good for most oolong. Sound hot, but not boiling. He say that bring out the good taste, not the bad taste. That boy, he know a lot about tea. Too much for my old brain, but I remember some.

I don’t know everything about that oolong tea, but I know enough. I know that oolong brew temp important, just like that boy said. Maybe if you want to know more, you should go talk to that boy. He live down the street, the one with all them tea pots. But maybe he is just showing off. Us simple folk need only simple things. Just remember what I told you, and you will be alright. You will make a good cup of tea. Maybe not perfect, but good enough. Good enough for me, good enough for you. Just remember the temperature and you will be fine.