Oolong Tea

The finest teas produced in China in the 18th and 19th centuries were not sold to foreigners, but were reserved for the Chinese emperor and his court. Some of these teas were called “monkey-picked teas” – a description that seems to date back to the 18th century. Oolong Ti Kuan Yin tea was discovered in Fujian province, and legend has it that the trees were so tall that monks trained monkeys to pick the leaves. The tea produced from these leaves was so fine that only Emperor Qian Long (1735-1795) and the nobles of the court were allowed to drink it. As the quantities available increased, the same tea became accessible to the common people. The name and the legend attached to it have been a source of inspiration for poets and artists (and merchants) throughout the years, including today.