November is the start of the winter period of the 24 solar terms, which extends to January of the following year. During this period, the following solar terms apply:
The winter tea harvest is the smallest of the year. Winter tea begins to be harvested from high-altitude tea areas in September, then gradually descends to the lower-altitude tea areas. The harvesting period is no later than late November. After the winter harvest the tea plants usually lie dormant until the spring. The dormant periods occur in the same order as the harvest: beginning with high-altitude tea areas and starting later with the lower-altitude areas.
The actual harvesting times are fine-tuned according to the amount of sunshine and rainfall, the growth of the tea leaves, availability of farm workers, the size of tea gardens and other conditions.
Occasionally a small amount of Dong Pian tea may appear due to sudden warming and early emergence of new sprouts.
The Winter tea harvest only includes mature tea greens. Due to the low temperature and short sunshine in winter, the growth of tea leaves is very slow, so that the tea leaves accumulate rich amino acids and store many natural nutrients. Therefore, winter tea tastes sweeter, less bitter, and the aroma is more delicate.
The start of winter 立冬(Lìdōng) means that the weather is getting colder. According to traditional Taiwan medicine, it is recommended to drink more warm-natured tea, which includes:
Drinking Oolong tea in moderation can also reduce the incidence of lung diseases, especially when the climate is poor in winter and easily affects tracheal symptoms, drinking a cup of hot oolong tea is an excellent choice.
The Taiwan name for the Start of Winter (立冬 Lìdōng) has the meaning of harvesting in autumn and storing in winter. Taiwan was historically an agricultural society, and people worked hard during the growing season. They took advantage of the day of Lìdōng to take a break and reward the whole family for their hard work over the past year. Lìdōng was also the time to prepare and consume food tonics, commonly called "winter tonics"
There are many types of food for winter tonics, and the customs of different places are also different due to regional differences. However, everyone has the same opinion on the regimen of winter tonics. There is even a saying: "Taking tonics in the Start of Winter enables you to be in high spirits all the year round."
Tea seed oil (also known as camellia oil, camellia seed oil, teanut oil) has a dietary record of more than a thousand years in China. It is a high-grade edible oil favored by the Taiwanese, and its quantity is small and precious.
Tea seed oil contains theophylline, vitamins A and E, and is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. It has good antioxidant effect, can reduce serum triglyceride content, thereby reducing low-density lipoprotein, and reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases.
Tea seed oil has a wide range of uses, such as edible oil, cosmetics (hair maintenance), medicinal, industrial use, knife maintenance oil, etc. Tea seed oil is also one of the best ingredients for winter tonic.
** Do not confuse Tea Seed Oil with Tea Tree Oil, an inedible oil from Australia.
Ingredients: Tea Seed oil, Hericium erinaceus (also called Lion's Mane mushroom) and variety of mushrooms, dry tofu skin, cabbage, ginger and gogi berries (also known as Wolfberries).
Procedure:
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Dong Pian Winter Tea is a unique tea that requires special weather conditions.