Golden Lily (Jin Xuan) Oolong tea which is also widely known as “milk” oolong, seems to have given birth to a remarkable number of fantastic tales. My story about tears from the moon may not even be the most fantastic of them. I’ve seen some wild stories about tea watered with milk while it was grown or steamed with milk after harvesting. Considering that milk is more expensive than tea in Taiwan I think both of those stories are pretty unlikely.

So here’s the more mundane history behind “milk” oolong, also known as (Golden Lily Oolong). This tea varietal was originally developed in Taiwan in 1981 by the Tea Research Extension Station (TRES) in Taiwan. TRES is a collaboration between the Formosa Governor-General’s Production Bureau and Taiwanese tea farmers. Among TRES’s jobs is developing new strains of commercial teas for export. Milk oolong was originally developed in 1981 and called prosaically enough, Oolong # 27.

From the very first experimental harvest, the distinctive silky texture and milk-like taste was noted. This oolong has a very distinct floral aroma and a mouth feel that lingers in the mouth an unusually long time. The first commercial producers of oolong #27 decided to call the new tea Golden Lily Oolong to denote the distinctive floral aroma but locals simply began referring to the tea as milk oolong.

Our farmer in Thailand first planted Golden Lily oolong in the hill country of northern Thailand in 1992 and we’ve since been awarded several prizes in international tea competitions for the quality of his Golden Lily oolong. I hope you will give it a try. Here’s the link again http://www.immortalitea.com/golden-lily-jin-xuan-oolong-tea-p-189.html

One night long ago mother moon beheld a beautiful scarlet comet burning in the sky where before had been only darkness. It seemed to her the most wondrous thing she had ever seen.

“Who are you?” she cried.

“I am Hong Long, the red dragon. I have traveled far and am weary but yet I have far to go, for indeed my journey never ends.”
Mother moon felt great pity for the handsome stranger and her heart opened to him. “Hong Long,” she said, “Why not stay with me for a while? I am lonely and you are tired. Let us comfort each other”

“Alas, I cannot linger for it is my fate to wander.” Said Hong Long, “But while I am in your sky I would be happy to have your company.”

And so it happened that for many weeks Mother Moon and the comet kept each either company. Hong Long told her stories of his travels and the wonders he had seen. Mother Moon shared her love of mankind, whom she watched over every night, and long did they laugh at the silly things people did as they rushed through their fleeting lives. In time, as is natural, Mother Moon and Hong Long fell in love.

But far too soon Hong Long had passed through Mother Moon’s sky and was on the far side of the night. Mother Moon confessed her love to Hong Long and he admitted he felt the same. “Must you really leave?” pleaded Mother Moon.

“I truly wish I could stay,” said Hong Long, “but I am as God made me. I must continue my journey or I die.”

“Either way I would lose you,” sighed Mother Moon, “So, choose life and go your way.”As she spoke these words Hong Long passed from her sky and she saw him no more.

In sorrow, Mother Moon turned her attention to the Earth down below. As she glanced down a single white tear fell from her eye. Below a tea bush was opening her leaves to feel the night breeze. Mother Moon’s tear fell directly on her. The tea bush was suffused with simultaneous feelings of love and unbearable sadness.

Ever since then the tea from that bush and her children has had a unique silky sweet essence that man in his ignorance called “milk” for he had no other word to describe this sensation. But we know it is really tears of longing that fell from the moon.

So goes the story of how milk oolong (called on our site Golden Lily Oolong) came to be. Next week, I’ll share with you the “real” story behind milk oolong. Although, if you ignore the next mail from me I won’t blame you, I kind of prefer the story of Mother Moon and Hong Long too.

Whatever you decide, consider ordering some Golden Lily Oolong today. I think few things in life are better than a good cup of tea and a story to go with it. Here’s the link. http://www.immortalitea.com/golden-lily-oolong.htm

I had hoped to introduce my new Integra Tea health blend with a lot of hoopla and a special combo offer with a new cool tea maker I recently discovered. But they say, “God laughs while we’re making plans.” The company making the tea maker has been delayed. Meanwhile, not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask, “When is that new tea coming out?” Oh well…..I’m not a hoopla-kinda-guy anyway.

So I’m happy to announce, with minimal hoopla , that Integra Tea is now available. Here’s the link to that page on my site, Integra Tea

For those of you not familiar, Integra Tea is a health tea blend I developed specifically to address the effects of aging and the other top health concerns my customers voted for in my recent customer survey. You can read all about it here, read about Integra Tea. You all helped me name it in my “name the tea” contest. I’m proud of the new blend and I hope you all like it as much as I do.

By the way, in lieu of the hoopla, I’m offering Integra Tea at a special 20% off introductory price until the end of the month. Here’s the link again, Integra Tea Introductory Offer

We Honor Women World over on International Women’s Day

I think International Women’s Day is a great holiday. But as an American who travels a lot, I find this day particularly ironic. Most Americans don’t even know there is such a holiday, let alone celebrate it. But in many other countries today is a really big deal. The irony, is International Women’s Day originated right here in good old USA!

On March 8, 1857, women garment workers in New York took to the streets to protest the horrific work condition prevalent at the time. This lead to the creation of the first women’s labor union in the USA. Fifty-one years later to commemorate this day, 15,000 women marched through the streets of New York demanding better pay, the right to vote and the end of child labor. This came to be known as the “bread and roses” protest. Later that year the International Conference of Working Women in Denmark approved a resolution declaring International Women’s Day in honor of the protesters in America. Eventually March 8 was made the official day world over.

Unfortunately, in the USA the holiday became associated with socialism and communism and was largely ignored. Fortunately, it caught on in other countries and is now a major holiday in many places. These days it does not just commemorate the sacrifices of women workers but is a celebration of women in general and just how amazing they are. In many countries men are expected to give flowers to all the significant women in their life, of course wives and girlfriends, but also mothers, mother-in-laws, sisters, coworkers and friends. I’ve walked down the street in Ukraine and seen men giving flowers to every woman they pass. In some countries women take the day off and its supposed to be a day of total relaxation. Men take over all the chores and other responsibilities for the day and the women are supposed to be queen for the day.

Now, that’s what I call a holiday! The only things that would make this a better holiday are if it were more celebrated here in the USA ,where it all started, and ( I’m just floating this idea ) if instead of flowers we pass out tea from The Immortalitea Company.

Get on board! Click on the “shop now” link on the left and order tea for the women in your life. Today only, 10% if you enter the code IWD2013 at checkout!

I’ve received a LOT of emails asking when the new tea blend will be available. I’m glad there is so much excitement. I had really hoped to already have the new blend in your hands but I ran into some delays.

The good news is we’re almost ready to ship and I should have the new Integra Tea blend ready for purchase in just a few more weeks.

In the meantime, I received the design for the new labels. I struggled a bit with design. In the past, I’ve always been able to just showcase our teas themselves on the front label. I take a lot of pride in how we prepare our teas and I hope that from the picture on the labels the quality is obvious.

However, when you do a blend one has to mill the different herbs to a uniform size in order to prevent the different herbs from separating out. Consequently, while the quality of preparation is still clear when you see the tea in person, it just did not come out in the pictures.

In the end, I decided to go with a picture of a cup of the tea in hopes that at least gives a sense of the experience that lies in store for you.

Here’s a preview of the design. As always, let me know what you think. Your opinion is important to me.

Yes, I really did give away an iPad in my Name the New Tea contest. Meet Kim. Kim is a nurse caring for special needs children during the dayand a yoga and karate teacher at night. Kim was kind enough to share some pictures with us of her opening her prize. Thanks Kim! I hope you enjoy the iPad.

Kim opening the box.

I think she likes. I know I don't want to try taking it back!

I’ve finally chosen the winners of my “Name the New Tea Blend” contest. I want to first thank everyone who submitted suggestions. I received 3004 valid entries and 8,307 name suggestions. There were some very creative ideas and some very funny ones. I found myself sitting at my desk laughing several times.

Please know that choosing was a real challenge and that a lot of factors went into the decision. Chances are your suggestion was equally good (maybe even better.) But I had to choose. I hope you like the new name.

Drum roll please…..

The new name is Integra Tea. I chose this name because it resonates on several levels with this new blend. Integrity is a trait that is both personally very important to me and something I strive for with all my teas. This tea is my first blend and includes all of the teas I currently offer so it is indeed an “integration.” Integra also resonates of wholeness which is something I aspire for the new blend to bring to the health of my customers.

Five people submitted this suggestion or a close variation of it. But the first person to submit an entry with this name and the winner of the new iPad is Kim Bauman of Marengo, IL. Congratulations Kim!

The 2nd place prize of a 6 month subscription to one of our teas goes to Dr. Arthur Shattuck  for the name “Longevitea”. This suggestion was by far the most frequently suggested, 256 people suggested this name but Dr. Shattuck was first (by 42 minutes.) By the way, Dr. Shattuck operates a very cool herb shop in Racine, Wisconsin called Roots and Legends. Stop in if you are in the area.

3rd place goes to Dena Anderson of Wheeling, West Virginia for the suggestion “Chi Tea”. This was also a very popular suggestion, especially if you include the variation Qi Tea. Because I also teach Tai Chi and Chi Kung, improving people’s chi was very much on my mind when I came up with this blend. Dena will receive our tea sampler. Enjoy!

Well, that’s it. It’s been a wild ride and lots of fun f’or me. I hope you enjoyed it too. Please post a comment on my blog or send me an email and let me know what you think.
I’m busy now having the new packaging designed etc.. I hope to have the new tea ready around the end of February. I hope (even if your name was better than the one I chose ) you will give it a try.

Well, That’s it. The Name the New Tea Blend contest is over. I’m overwhelmed by your response (literally) but very grateful. You suggested some wonderful and wildly creative name ideas. Choosing will be difficult. Once I’m through being overwhelmed, I know I’m going to miss logging in to all your emails every morning. Its been about 10X what I’m accustomed to. I’ve felt like a kid on Christmas day every morning for over 2 weeks. It’s a great way to start the year.

I’m downloading all the names now and starting the selection process. I will notify the winners in the next day or two and I’m hoping to announce the new name early next week. Please don’t be upset if I don’t choose your suggestion. It doesn’t mean your’s was not also a great suggestion. There are just a lot of things to consider; how the blend tastes, what the tea blend does for your health, trademark issues, labeling and so on.

I’m also grateful to those of you who took the time to comment on the blog or send me good wishes and testimonials. One of the best things about this contest has been hearing directly from so many of you that you love my teas and that they have is some way helped you. I wish I could spread those kind words out over the entire year. They are what keeps me excited about this little tea company of mine.

Best of luck to everyone who entered. And, once again, Thank you.

This iPad mini could be yours!

The new iPad mini can be yours.

The Survey Results Are In: Your responses to my customer survey were very helpful, thank you! Not surprisingly, given that the name of my company is “The Immortalitea Company,” 78.2% said longevity was one of your primary health concerns. However, there were 7 of the issues that over 50% of you said you have an interest in a tea to help address.

I took as a challenge to create a health tonic tea that would help with as many of your top concerns as possible. Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of health tonic teas so this prior knowledge informed my work. Oh, and 76% of you said you want both teas for health and a gourmet tea experience. I understand that as well and I made great taste one of my criteria. It has taken me some time, but I am proud of the result, a custom blend of tea and herbs created for what you, my customers, said was important.

What is the new tea good for? Longevity, Immune System Health, Inflammation, Memory and Mental Acuity, Improved Circulation, Cardiovascular Health and Weight Management.

How does it taste? Mildly sweet, reminiscent of mint or sweet basil with a floral aroma.

How you can win the iPad: This new tea blend needs a name. That’s where I’m hoping you can help. Using the form above, you can suggest up to 3 different names for this new tea blend. On January 14, 2013 I will choose one of the names suggested and give the the person submitting the winning name a new iPad mini. It’s that simple.

1^st Prize – 16 GB iPad mini with wireless in the winner’s choice of black or white.

2^nd Prize – 6 month subscription to any of the teas from The Immortalitea Company. I’ll send you 100 grams of the tea of your choice every month for 6 months.

3^rd Prize – Our 30 gram tea sampler with 30 gram packages of Jiaogulan, Mulberry and Oolong teas.

If you are like me and don’t feel you have the marketing savvy for naming a new tea blend, please share this link with someone creative you know.. The more suggestions, the better the name we’re likely to find. And, just maybe, your winning friend or family member will be so grateful you hooked them up, they’ll buy you some tea.

Please post the contest on your Facebook page and let all your friends know.

Leave your comments below. Let me know if you think this contest is a good idea? What do you think about the new tea blend concept? Any questions about the contest or things I left out?

I’m excited about this new tea blend, the first new product since I started the company 8 years ago. I hope you are excited too.

Rules: I said it was simple and I’d like to keep it that way. But I guess we need a few rules.

1. One entry per person

2. In the case of multiple entries of the same name, I’ll take the first one submitted based on the time stamp of the form submission.

3. You must be at least 18 to enter.

4. No Purchase Necessary

5. All winning entries will be chosen by me based solely on my personal opinion of the quality and appropriateness of the names suggested for my new tea blend.

6. When you submit your entry you are assigning all legal writes, copyright, trademark etc. that you may personally have in the names suggested.

7. By submitting your entry you are expressly stating that you are not aware of any trademark or copyright violated by the use of this name by The Immortalitea Company.

8. I’ll choose the winning entry on January 14, 2013 and notify the winner via email the same day. The winning entry will be posted on my blog as soon as I hear back from the winner or by January 21, 2013, whichever comes first.

9. If I can’t reach the winner by email by January 31, I will randomly select another winner from the entries I received. Please make sure you use a valid email when you enter.

10. Neither The Immortalitea Company nor its owner can be held responsible for any entries not received or incompletely received due to any technical issues.

I report on a lot of jiaogulan research but I have never had the opportunity before to report on research we participated in directly. Over three years ago a researcher from the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Maryland contacted me for samples of Gynostemma for their research. I am a nerdy science guy and I believe the whole world needs to know more about jiaogulan, so I was happy to send them samples.

Months and then years went by. I emailed for an update and they said they would keep me informed. So I forgot about it. But last week I received an email from out of the blue from one of the researchers. He said, We analyzed samples of jiaogulan from several companies. But the chemical profile of your samples were different from all the others. Can I call you to ask some questions?

I know we have great quality jiaogulan. But I admit, all kinds of bad scenarios went through my mind. I was trying to think of what we could have missed in our own safety and quality testing. I called the researcher back and I almost laughed when he told me the results.

Their research confirms lots of good things we know about jiaogulan;

• Rich in phenols (which are anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-aging compounds),
• Rich in saponins (which are also good for those three things and help fight cholesterol, and
• Rich in flavonoids (which are also anti-oxidant, reduce inflammation and promote healthy arteries.)
• Fights free radicals associated with aging and
• Helps prevent the spread of cancer

So why the email from the researcher? Well, they also tested for the presence of two flavonoids that are often removed from foods by food processors because they cause bitterness. All of the commercial jiaouglan samples they tested were high in these bitter tasting compounds except ours. They reported not detectable in their published results. They wanted to know if we had somehow chemically removed these flavonoids. I was happy to explain to him that we do nothing of the kind. Our jiaogulan is naturally sweet!

By the way, its important to note that flavonoids are good for you and our jiaogulan tested right in the middle of the test group in Total Flavonoid Content (TFC). We just don not have the ones that cause bitterness.

We always knew we had the best tasting jiaogulan available and now we have research showing why. Our jiaogulan also tested lowest in fiber content. Fiber is good for you in food, but in teas, a high fiber content indicates the presence of stems which is a sign of lack of care in the picking process and also tends to add bitterness. So, another win for us.

I will keep you posted if I hear any more from their research.