Skip to main content

Tea Series One — Brewing 913 King’s Oolong Tea

A Journey Begins: Steeping Time, One Cup at a Time 

In my kitchen, tea is more than a drink, it’s a moment. A pause. A prayer.
And among the many teas I’ve come to love, oolong holds a special place. 

A Story Steeped in Time: The History of Oolong Tea

Long before tea became a daily ritual or a quiet companion in our afternoons, it was a discovery, a part mystery, part art nature’s gift. Oolong tea, known for its graceful balance between green and black tea, holds a special place in that story.

Oolong, or “ wūlóng” 乌龙 or 烏龍 (simplified) 烏龍 (traditional) in Chinese, means “black dragon”. Some say the name came from the dark, twisted shape of the leaves, like a coiled dragon awakening in the steam of a teacup. Others tell the tale of a tea farmer named Wu Liang, who after being distracted from his harvest, let his tea oxidise longer than usual. What resulted was neither green nor black tea, but something beautifully in between of fragrant, complex, and utterly unique.

The earliest records of oolong trace back to the Fujian province of China, especially the mountainous Wuyi region. There were tea artisans began experimenting with partial oxidation, a technique that allowed the leaves to retain the freshness of green tea while developing the richness and depth of black tea. This required not just skill, but patience, intuition, and a deep respect for the leaf.

As oolong evolved, it found a second home in Taiwan, where the island’s cool climate and misty highlands proved perfect for growing tea. Taiwanese farmers embraced oolong wholeheartedly, refining it into delicate, floral brew with buttery textures and sweet finishes. Teas like Dong Ding (or Tung-ting), Alishan, and Oriental Beauty became not just drinks, but cherished cultural treasures. I have yet to experience these beautiful teas myself, perhaps my next adventure that I could share them with you.

Today, oolong tea is appreciated around the world, not just for its flavour, but for the way it invites us to slow down. With each steep, it changes, softening, deepening, revealing new notes, just like a story unfolding in chapters.

So when you sip oolong, you are not just tasting tea. You are tasting a history of curiosity, craftsmanship, and care, a tale that began centuries ago and still whispers through every warm cup.

A Gentle Moment with Rich Aroma, Ginseng Warmth, and Quiet Comfort

A cup of 913 King’s Oolong Tea and teapot (photo by JenniferW)


If you are new to 913 King’s Oolong Tea or just want to savour it fully, here is a complete guide, from preparation to the final sip, both hot and cold. This tea blends high mountain oolong with top-quality ginseng, making each cup aromatic, nourishing, and calming.

913 King’s Oolong Tea (photo by JenniferW)


🌱 About the Tea
“The best delicious flavoured tea. It is made with premium oolong tea from the high mountain and top-quality ginseng. As you enjoy the wonderful aroma from the tea, you can also appreciate the natural nourishing essence.”

This tea contains not addictive. Once opened, it stays fresh for up to two years. Just store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

913 King’s Oolong Tea Leaves (photo by JenniferW)

What You’ll Need

  • A Chinese teapot (preferably Yixing clay) porous clay absorbs tea flavours over time and retains heat well
  • A small digital scale (tea is light and may not register on larger kitchen scales)
  • A glass measuring jug (heatproof)
  • A porcelain or wooden spoon
  • Teacups (preferably small, to encourage slow sipping)
  • An electric kettle with temperature control, a worthwhile investment, as different teas require different brewing temperatures.
Ingredients
  • 6g of 913 King’s Oolong Tea
  • 95°C hot water (enough to fill your teapot to the brim or 150 ml each brew)

🔥 Hot Method: How to Hot Brew

Step 1: Preparation 
  • Boil water to 95°C.
  • Wash and arrange your teacups on a tray.
  • Weight 6g of tea leaves and place them into the teapot.
  • Prepare the teapot by rinsing it with hot water, pour some into the teapot and over its exterior. Discard the water, and your teapot is now warmed and ready to use.
  • Pour hot water to just enough to fill your teapot to the brim. Let it sit for 7 seconds.
  • Discard this first brew, it is called “rinsing” or “awakening” the leaves.
Step 2: Brew the Tea
  • Refill the teapot with hot water (95°C) up to the brim.
  • Cover and steep for:
    • 3 minutes (1st brew)
    • 4 minutes (2nd brew)
    • 5 minutes (3rd brew)
    • 6 minutes (4th brew)
    • 7 minutes (final brew)
  • Pour into cups and serve hot. Generally, oolong can be steeped 2 to 4 times, with brew revealing subtle shifts in flavour. High quality Taiwanese oolongs, such as 913 King’s Oolong Tea, can often be re-steeped 5 to 8 times, without losing depth or character.
Tip: After each brew, if there is no water left in the teapot, leave the lid slightly ajar. This prevents bitterness from building up.

❄️ Cold Method: How to Cold Brew 

Don’t toss out the used tea leaves, they still hold flavour!

Step by Step:
  1. Transfer the used tea leaves into a clean jar or bottle.
  2. Fill with room temperature water.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavour.
  4. Serve chilled, refreshing and subtly sweet!
  5. Cold brew tea generally stays fresh not more than 3 days.
Cold Brew Tea (photo by JenniferW)

Tasting Notes

913 King’s Oolong Tea has a smooth, earthy based from the oolong, with a subtle herbal warmth that lingers from the ginseng.
  • 1st brew: Gently aroma, lightly sweet, soothing
  • 2nd-3rd: Fuller aroma, deeper taste
  • 4th-5th: Earthy, balanced, warm, mellow finish.
Each brew evokes, making the experience richer with every cup.

Tip: The temperature of the water matters!
Brewing oolong tea at the right temperature (around 95°C) helps release its flavour gently, not too bitter, not too bland.

Recommended vs My Personal Brew
  • Package Suggestion:
    • 20g of tea leaves (serves 4 persons)
    • Each brew: 150 ml water
  • My preferred way to brew (Light & Soothing)
    • 6g of tea leaves (makes about 3 cups)
    • Each brew: 150 ml
    • I personally don’t encourage steeping the tea too many times. Beyond a certain point, it may not only turn bitter but also release excessive compounds like caffeine, tannins, and oxalates, which could be harsh on the stomach or body of over consumed.

Health & Mood Benefits
  • Ginseng may help with energy, focus, and mental clarity.
  • Oolong is known for digestive support and relaxation.
  • A wonderful tea for quiet afternoons, reflection, or simply taking a mindful break from your daily tasks.
A Gentle Moment

Drinking oolong isn’t just about the tea, it is about the pause.
  • Sip slowly from a small cup.
  • Inhale the aroma before your first taste.
  • Brew multiple rounds and enjoy how the flavour unfolds. I personally avoid steeping the tea beyond the recommended rounds,
Perfect for sharing with families, or visitors to your home, or savouring on your own.

Brew Chart Overview

Brew #    Time    Notes

1st            3mins         Smooth, lightly sweet

2nd           4mins         Fuller aroma, deeper taste

3rd            5mins         Earthy, warm, balanced

4th            6mins         Rich and mellow

5th            7mins         Final, grounding brew


Caffeine Comparison (approximate per serving)

Drink                                        Caffeine

Filter Coffee                               95 mg

Espresso Shot                             63 mg

Matcha                                        60 mg

Oolong Tea                            38 mg

Yerba Mate                                 30-50 mg

Black Tea                                    25-48 mg

Green Tea                                    25-29 mg

White Tea                                    15-20 mg

Oolong tea is so much gentler than coffee or matcha, and nourishing too.

Final Thoughts

913 King’s Oolong Tea is a calming cup of wellness, it is smooth, earthy, and aromatic. Whether you are sipping it hot or enjoy it chilled, take a quiet pause to savour its flavour and warmth of this beautiful blend.


Source & Inspiration
Inspired by traditional tea wisdom and supported by reference from The story of Tea by Mary Lou Heiss & Robert J. Heiss, and Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne & team at Camellia Sinensis.

🎥 Watch the full video here:

💌 Enjoyed this recipe?

You can find more comforting recipes and reflections on A Journey with Joy at Substack. Subscribing is free, and you are always welcome.

.































 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment! I moderate all comments to keep this space uplifting and gracious — I appreciate your patience. 🙂

Popular posts from this blog

Coastal Clear Noodle Soup

The Story Behind Coastal Clear Noodle Soup They say he was a quiet man, more at home with the sea than the shore. A fisherman by trade, but in truth, he was a cook at heart. Every morning, he would set out before sunrise, return with his catch of the day, and turn it into something remarkable, a simple bowl of clear broth noodles that tasted like the ocean whispering comfort. He never opened a shop. He never wrote down his recipe. But word spread, as good things always do. Neighbours, travelers, even fellow fishermen would wander to his home by the shore, just to sit with a bowl of his noodle soup. Light, briny, full of grace and soul. They would leave warmed, filled, and always wanting more. And then, as all beautiful seasons must, that chapter came to a close. He passed on, but not before passing down his recipe to his son. A son who carried not just the ingredients, but the quiet magic of his father’s hands. He opened a humble stall by the same shore, serving bowl after bowl of the ...
2 comments
Read more

Tea Series Two — Daily Brew Matcha

 A Little History in a Bowl Matcha has a rich history rooted in Japanese tea ceremonies, dating back to the 12th century when Zen monks began using it to support meditation. Made from finely ground, shade-grown green tea leaves (called tencha), matcha offers not only a unique flavour but also a calm energy, thanks to its combination of caffeine and L-theanine. Traditional whisked in a handcrafted bowl using a bamboo whisk (chasen), preparing matcha is more than just making tea, it is a mindful ritual. Over time, this ceremonial drink has found its way into modern kitchens around the world, including mine. A cup of Matcha (photo by JenniferW) In this post, I am sharing how I prepare a simple daily cup of matcha at home, using quality ingredients and simple tools that make the process both calming and enjoyable. Whether you are new to matcha or already a fan, I hope this guide encourages you to slow down, whisk, and sip. I am using 1g of matcha powder with 150 ml of hot water at 80 °...
Post a Comment
Read more