Learn All You Can About Oolong Tea
And Its Health Benefits!
There is much to know about Oolong tea.
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 different names 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 "herbal tea."
Oolong tea - Your comments and reviews.
Oolong Tea: Oxidation
In Oolong tea is somewhere between Green and Black in oxidation - fermentation - and aroma. In fact, 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" 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.
More About Oolong Tea: The Processing
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 this tea 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 are 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 add flavor to the Oolong tea.
More About Oolong Tea: Types of Oolong Tea
Here is a list of wonderful suppliers of Oolong tea. They have many varieties from you to choose from.
Art of Tea
American Tea Room
Adagio Tea: Great Selection!
Mighty Leaf
Numi: Flowering Tea
Teavana
All More About Oolong Tea: What's in the Name?
The name Oolong comes from the Chinese name pronounced as "Wu-Long:"
So this Chinese name means "Black Dragon" and is said to have been given because of the way the long, dark leaves unfold.
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Oolong Tea: Learn all about Oolong tea!
Oolong Tea Reviews
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