How now Bao Zhong?

Mom and I tried a wonderful new tea last night, Rishi's Bao Zhong.

Bao Zhong is lightly oxidized oolong that exhibits characteristics of green tea and oolong tea. The long, twisted emerald colored tealeaves provide a fresh, clear green and delicate infusion with fresh flowery notes of lilac and lily. Bao Zhong is a Taiwanese specialty oolong with wide appeal.

Wow, is it good. Both mom and I were itchy last night and I think we both wanted to bathe in this. Not only does it smell heavenly but the taste is to die for. We'll be ordering more of this pronto.

On another note, Mom and I recently got a second batch of a favorite local oolong tea. When we opened it we both thought the scent (dry and brewed) and taste were wildly different. We found the remains of our first bag and compared it. Yup, wildly different.

We called the store who said they had changed nothing but to please bring both bags in for a comparative tea cupping. We did and after cupping both they agreed there was a difference in the vanilla. Apparently no one else has mentioned the difference so I guess we have either educated or spoiled palates. They're investigating to see if they changed vanilla suppliers.

And finally, I love dachhunds. "That's nice," you think, "but what has that to do with oolong tea?" Everything, when it's a dachshund rescue group called Oolong Dachshund Rescue, Inc. I am so getting one of their shirts!