Elwood 5566

Bamboo leaf tea

Specifics: A leaf tea available in tea bags but not easy to find. Specialist deli type shops often stock it.

In summer, I prefer water or a chilled, non sweetened cereal drink or a tea as a refreshment. My favourite is probably mistletoe tea (겨우살이) but a close contender is bamboo  leaf tea (데잎 차) The tea comes in bags which can be a little difficult to find though it can be bought in other forms. I couldn’t buy the bags in my local E-Mart or Home Plus but I know two small delicatessen type shops which sell them.

I have to be honest, making the tea is hit and miss and I still haven’t worked out the best way to make it. Several times I have made a very refreshing brew but repeating this seems temperamental and on some occasions the tea has been almost tasteless. When right however, the flavour is subtle and distinct and bears a similarity to mistletoe – a very mild lemony tang without any tartness or bitterness.

Not to be confused with Green bamboo leaf - green tea - which is from China!

Like most things that taste ‘just,’ (그냥), bamboo leaf tea has those beneficial qualities,’ it is supposedly a detoxicant and can even help you lose weight. Don’t get me wrong, I love these types of tea but can draw a distinction between refreshing and delicious.  A high quality milkshake is delicious – bamboo water is ‘just’ but on  a hot day or a sweaty training session, the milkshake comes second.

© Nick Elwood 2010. This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence.