Best Tea for . . . Playing Chess
by Rachel Deveau
Deciding whether to move your pawn or bishop can be vital to the game of Chess, not only because it will determine whether you become the victor, but also because it reflects something about the player. You choose the piece. You move the piece. You suffer or reap the rewards. You might choose the pawn and move it forward two places, only to overlook your opponent’s knight lying in wait. Perhaps he even anticipates your move. And yet, he pretends to see only what is in front of him, not what may lie ahead. Chess is known for demanding complex strategy, and perhaps the most serious decision a player can make is which beverage to drink while playing. The best for any strategy game that demands a sharp mind is loose leaf Jasmine Oolong.
Typically, green teas have the flavoring of earth – the classic Japanese green will have light delicate flavorings of grass, whereas oolong is the deeper and bolder of the green tea family. Jasmine is a lighter green tea on the whole, and its aroma often attracts people. Oolong might seem closer to a black tea because of the strength of its body but is classified as a green tea because of its earthy tones – not merely of grass, but also of bark and dirt. The robust Oolong uplifts and strengthens the fine flavorings of jasmine, giving it a full and complete body and making it a giant among teas.
The first and second cups barely scratch the surface of this tea. When the Jasmine Oolong first meets your tongue it makes you believe it is an ordinary cup of loose leaf green Jasmine tea, but before you get comfortable with that surmise, the earthy oolong flavor warms your mouth. Like a subtle enemy attack from behind, it ambushes the jasmine, and like a Roman invasion, it strips away the weakness and assimilates the strength.
The complex nature of this tea will draw your eyes into a squint of concentration as future chess moves appear like visions, guiding your victory. Sly as it is at first taste, this tea’s subtlety will boost your precision and insight into your opponent’s moves.
Tea Info:
Jasmine Oolong
Can Be Purchased: Bamboo Tea House
Website: bambooteas.com
Price: $2.50/oz
RedFence Rating: 9 (out of 10)
