Big Bang Theory: Making Oolong for Leonards Mother
Why The Maternal Capacitance is the best Big Bang Theory episode ever!
I love The Big Bang Theory and I love tea (Oolong in general being my favourite). So imagine how unbelievably happy I was when I was watching a rather funny episode of the Big Bang Theory and Leonards mum Beverly asks for tea and not just any tea, oh no, Oolong tea! My favourite! I couldn't believe it! The character of Beverly played by Christine Baranski drinking my favourite tea! Well you will soon see that she doesn't actually drink it as she is quite fussy but still it is pretty cool.
If like me, you love Oolong then you should check out this Oolong tea and if you want to find out more about the Big Bang Theory scene I am talking about (The Maternal Capacitance) keep reading for the YouTube clip, the script and more information about Oolong including how Beverly takes her Oolong, the "official" recipe, how she could improve her experience of it and most importantly, "What is Oolong!"
Quick little fact before we begin, Christine Baranski (Beverly) has won two Tony Awards for "Best Actress" and won an Emmy for her role as Maryann in the hit TV series Cybil! Apart from The Big Bang Theory, her most recent role has been Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife.
Watch the scene!
See Beverly in action!
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Recipe Module
Leonards Mothers Oolong Tea
How Beverly takes her Oolong
• Serves: 1
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
• Tie Guan Tin Oolong
• Milk
• Raw Sugar
• Water
Instructions
Add 400ml of water to kettle and boil.
While this is boiling heat milk separately in microwave.
Once water has boiled add to Tie Guan Yin Oolong and brew for exactly 3 minutes.
Add the milk that has been heated separately so that the ratio of water to milk is 98:2.
Add one teaspoon of raw sugar and stir.
Before serving, ensure the tea is hot!
Why I love Beverlys Oolong 
"Loose, not bagged" -the best way to prepare an Oolong is by using loose leaf tea! Preferably in using a Gaiwan!
"Steeped, three Minutes" - This gives the Oolong a chance to brew properly so you can experience the full taste!
What is in Oolong tea? 
Well, just like green and black tea; Oolong tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves are picked fresh, wilted and the partially oxidised so that full fermentation does not occur. You could say that in this sense they are in between a green and a black tea.
So what is in Oolong? Tea! It is just the process to make it is a little bit different.
What can Beverly do to improve her Oolong? 
What Beverly can do to improve her Oolong Experience?
1. I would suggest not using milk, even if it is only "2%" the flavours of Oolong shouldn't be masked by anything else and some research suggests that milk can actually prohibit the anti-oxidants found in Oolong tea from working.
2. Rinse your Oolong first - i love that Beverly brews her tea for 3 minutes but before that she should pour a small amount of water on the tea leaves, leave it for 30 seconds and discard the water. This cleans the leaves and it is customary in China to never drink the first brew of your tea. Quite often this water is actually used to clean the cups.
3. No sugar - Similarly with the milk the addition of sugar could negatively affect the flavour of the tea. I would suggest using honey instead to compliment your Oolong if you have a sweet tooth. This goes especially well with Da Hong Pao.
