Learn More About Oolong Tea
And Its Health Benefits!

After reading this page about Oolong tea, you will soon see that there is much to know. Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea and it is among the most popular types of teas served in typical Chinese restaurants.

Oolong tea is referred to "the Champagne of Tea."

Oolong tea is made - as all teas are - from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The various types of tea come from the way the tea leaves and buds are processed and their level of oxidization - also known as fermentation.

Any "tea" which is not made from Camellia Sinensis is not a tea but a tisane - also called an "herbal tea."

All About Oolong Tea

How is Oolong different than other teas?

History of Oolong tea.

How is Oolong tea made?

Different types of Oolong teas.

How do you brew Oolong tea?

Does Oolong tea have caffeine?

Health Benefits of Oolong tea.

Oolong tea and weight loss.

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Oolong Tea: Oxidation

Oolong tea is somewhere between Green and Black in oxidation - fermentation - and aroma. In fact, if you care to know, it ranges from 10% to 70% in oxidation.

Oolong is a semi-oxidized whole leaf tea which contains all the nutrients and natural healing properties of unfermented green tea but without its "grassy" - or earthy - taste.

The degree of oxidation will tell you a lot about Oolong tea. If it is low in oxidation it will be closer in flavor to a Green tea. A higher oxidation and your Oolong tea will be more like a Black tea.

Tea experts - and I am not one of them - like to classify Oolong tea by various indicators:

Its aroma is referred to as either floral or fruity.

Its taste and aftertaste are referred to as melony.

The Processing of Oolong Tea

In order to make Oolong tea, the leaves go through a brief fermentation process in order to eliminate harsh irritants from the raw leaves.

This process also helps Oolong tea obtain its subtle fragrance - and many flavors - that distinguishes it from all the others - Black, Green and White.

The leaves and buds are harvested.

The leaves and the buds are thoroughly cleaned.

The plant material is put through a process called "withering." At that time the leaves and buds are placed in containers made out of bamboo and air is blown through them.

After the withering process is done, the leaves are then rolled. The rolling process helps to release the oils contained in the leaves and buds of the tea plant. When the leaves' oils mix with the oxygen in the air, they begin to oxidize - or ferment.

Once the leaves reach the desired color - which is dark blue-green, they are placed into a wok and heated. This last step stops the fermentation - oxidation process - and adds flavor to the Oolong tea.