If you have neither Liupao Tea nor ripe Pu-erh tea available, oolong tea works as a solid backup choice. As semi-oxidized tea, it delivers a decent effect on cutting greasiness. Once I had barbecue at a friend's home, and all they had was a box of Tieguanyin. I brewed a pot and gave it a try. Surprisingly, it helped clear the greasy coating in my mouth quickly, though not as effectively as Pu-erh and Liupao Tea.
Oolong tea is distinguished by rich, penetrating aroma. A cup of hot oolong works well after heavy, strong-flavoured meals such as barbecue and hot pot. There is one thing to note: over-brewed oolong easily turns bitter. Use a smaller amount of tea leaves when steeping, and aim for clear liquor. More leaves do not equal better flavour! If you are new to tea, oolong is a fantastic starting point. Its flavour is widely acceptable, decent-quality oolong is easy to find, and it comes at reasonable prices.
After drinking tea for many years, I'd like to share several practical tips for everyday tea lovers:
1. Never drink tea on an empty stomach. This basic rule everyone should know. Do not drink tea first thing in the morning. Eat something beforehand - even a slice of bread or a bowl of porridge - to protect your stomach. Strong tea consumed on an empty stomach irritates your digestive tract when there is no food inside. Take this advice seriously!
2. Wait for half an hour after meals before drinking tea. If you drink tea right after eating, your stomach has not begun digestion yet, which may lead to bloating. Give your stomach 20 to 30 minutes to settle, then tea will work much better.
3. Drink hot tea rather than iced tea. No matter how hot the weather is, I recommend hot tea. Warm tea soothes your stomach and dispels greasy feelings faster. Iced tea may feel refreshing at first, yet the sense of heaviness and greasiness lingers far longer. You can test it yourself.
4. Avoid overly strong tea. Multiple light infusions are better than one bitter, concentrated brew. Heavy strong tea tends to taste astringent and is less effective at cutting grease.
5. Sip tea slowly; there is no rush. Tea is not medicine. Chugging a cup all at once will not bring instant relief. Tea drinking is all about slowing down. Sit down, brew patiently and sip gently, and let your body adjust naturally. At the end of the day, tea is simply a pleasant daily habit. To be honest, tea is no magic cure. It cannot erase the heavy barbecue and alcohol you consumed the night before, nor can it replace proper diet and rest. Nevertheless, the right cup of tea can ease discomfort and make you feel better the next morning.
