You might not like the grass, vegetal-like flavor of green tea or the strong, malty nuances that come with black tea. If you aren’t a fan of either, you might want to try the Oolong tea, which falls between green and black tea. Oolong tea is considered the best of both worlds. When I first tasted oolong tea, it instantly became my favorite kind of tea. I had been drinking it for almost 12 years before I found my second favorite tea, Pu-erh. Also, Oolong tea has many benefits for our health.

What is Oolong tea?  乌龙茶 Wu Long Cha

Green, black, white, puerh, or oolong, all teas come from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis. It is the diversity of processing methods that render many varieties of tea.

As soon as tea leaves are plucked the oxidation process begins. If the leaves are allowed to fully oxidize then you get an astringent black tea flavor rich in tannins. On the other hand, if the oxidation process is interrupted shortly after it has begun, you get a green tea with a mild flavor profile.

Unlike green or black tea, Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea. Oxidation stops at a certain degree by fire roasting the tea leaves. This further breaks their flavor and causes the tea leaves to develop a unique aroma.

What Does Oolong Tea Taste Like?

Oolong Tea is native to Fujian Province, China. It grows at high altitudes of the Wuyi mountain.

Due to the cloudy and cold climate of the high-altitude mountains, the Oolong tea leaves are given a longer time to grow before its time for harvest. Hence, we get tea leaves rich in fragrance and flavor that allow for multiple infusions.

Oolong tea has an amazing golden-yellow color and a fantastic aroma.  It has a mellow fruity taste with peach and Osmanthus undertones.

Brewing Method

Oolong tea is a loose-leaf tea, which doesn’t typically come in tea bags. It has a very distinct look compared to other tea varieties which have flat or curly shaped leaves. Each tea leave is rolled into a small ball before roasting. This causes the leaves to curl and twist, assuming an uneven form similar to a small rock.

When steeped in hot water the tea leaves usually extend three to five times. That’s why it should be steeped in vessels with wider chambers in order to allow for the leaves to unfurl. They keep opening up and release richer flavor throughout multiple infusions.

Depending on the quality of tea leaves, 5-6g of Oolong tea when steeped in a 200ml tea pot could last up to 4 or 5 infusions. The first and the last infusions are usually milder, while those in between give out slightly more robust flavor.

When it comes to brewing tea the right way, first of all Oolong tea is not as sensitive to water temperature as is the case with green tea. As it is semi oxidized tea, it can be steeped with a boiled water or just below the point of boiling, about 90C degrees.

Best Tea Choice for Your Tea Bottle

When brewing oolong tea, you could use a tea pot, or simply add the tea leaves to your cup and then pour hot water over them.

 Oolong is one of the best kinds of tea to go with your tea bottle. Just add the tea leaves and fill it with hot water before you go out.  It doesn’t taste astringent even if you overstep it in a tea bottle.

Also, you could keep refilling your tea bottle with water, and the leaves would keep releasing flavor. It could last you through the day and keep you from feeling dehydrated. 

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Most Popular Oolong Tea Varieties

Depending on where its grown, Oolong tea can have an abundance of flavors. The most popular teas in the Oolong category are:

Da Hong Pao or “Big Red Robe” which is grown in the WuYi mountains of Fujian province. 

Tie Guanyin or “Iron Goddess of Mercy” which is grown in the AnXi mountains of Fujian province.

Dan Cong “Phoenix oolong” grown in Guandong province. A typical characteristic of the Dancong teas is their ability to absorb the surrounding fragrance of flowers, fruits or nuts, thus resulting in nutty, fruity or floral undertones.

Taiwanese Oolong

Taiwan is quite close to Fujian Province, and therefore has a strong tea culture. Most famous varieties of Oolong tea from Taiwan are the Taiwanese Tie Guanyin, Ali Mountain Oolong, as well as other high altitude oolong varieties.

They share the same rocky-like shape as the Fujian Oolong, with a darker color and a bolder flavor.

Oolong Tea Benefits

There are many health benefits associated with drinking Oolong tea.  Some of the oolong tea benefits include:

Aids Weight Loss

Oolong tea can speed up metabolism and increase energy. The best time to drink it for weight loss is about half an hour before exercise, as it can help to burn more fat.

On the other hand, this kind of tea is a great appetite suppressant. Its natural sweet and floral taste can suppress the need for snacking in between meals.

For the best weight loss results you should enjoy it without sugar or any other sweeteners. One cup in the morning and another one in the afternoon is just the right dose.

Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease

Another very important oolong tea benefit is heart health.

There is increasing evidence showing that habitual and moderate consumption of oolong tea might be beneficial in reducing cholesterol levels and thus lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The presence of polyphenols and catechins found both in green tea as well as in oolong are responsible for heart health in general.

However, as this kind of tea contains caffeine, it should be consumed in moderation. Studies show that drinking about 2 teacups daily over a prolonged period of time has the best effect on keeping heart health in check.

Increases Mental Alertness

Oolong tea has caffeine and is rich in an amino acid called L-Theanine. When combined they promote mental acuity. They cause the caffeine release to be absorbed much slower into the bloodstream. As a result, you get an uninterrupted flow of energy and high concentration throughout the day without the jitters that come from drinking coffee.

Improves Gut Microbe

A high fat diet may significantly impact gut bacteria, which could trigger many health problems.

Fortunately, this disbalance can be ameliorated by tea polyphenols found in oolong tea.

Furthermore, oolong tea has a prebiotic effect. It alkalizes the digestive tract and reduces inflammation in patients with ulcer problems. In this way it aids digestion and generally improves the overall balance of healthy bacteria. 

Reduces the Risk of Osteoporosis

The polyphenols found in oolong tea help to increase bone mineral density, a very important factor in preventing osteoporosis. Studies show that drinking 1-5 cups of oolong tea on a daily basis might help increase mineral retention from healthy foods. Therefore, it has a beneficial effect on overall bone density.

Furthermore, its leaves contain magnesium and calcium which helps to maintain strong bone health.

Inhibits Growth and Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is one of the most devastating malignant diseases that threatens the health of women worldwide.

A recent study published in the Anticancer Research journal, claims that scientists have discovered evidence that oolong tea can lead to a DNA damage of breast cancer cells and therefore inhibit the growth of tumors.

Even though this is a limited study conducted in the lab, it is a solid foundation for further studies in the direction of breast cancer prevention.

Find out more about the health benefits of drinking tea.

Thinking of Cutting Down on Coffee?

If you are a coffee drinker looking to cut down on coffee, oolong tea is your best choice.

Before you leave for office, just grab your coffee thermos, add 5-6g of tea leaves to it and fill it with hot water. 

You could keep adding hot water throughout the day, and the flavor will still be there. This will keep you focused and concentrated throughout the day without the jitters that come with coffee.

Oolong Tea Recipes

Oolong Tea with Lemon

The refreshing taste of this tea makes it suitable for drinking both in winters as well as summers.

You will need:

5-6g tea leaves

about 300ml hot water

couple slices of lemon

1tsp of honey (optional)

After steeping the tea leaves, add few slices of lemon for an even more refreshing taste and to boost health benefits. Lemon will not only speed metabolism, but it will also support the natural detoxification process of our body.

By adding ice cubes, you could easily turn it into a refreshing iced tea that comes with a lot of health benefits. Feel free to add honey if you like, though oolong tea has a naturally sweet taste, so you won’t be needing any sweeteners.

Peach Oolong Iced Tea

Due to the floral and fruity notes, this kind of tea goes best with peach flavors.

To make a peach flavored oolong tea you will need:

6g of tea leaves

hot water

Peach (frozen or fresh)

Ice cubes

tsp of honey (optional)

Directions:

Boil the water and when it reaches 90C pour it over the tea leaves.

Infuse for about 5 minutes, then place tea in the fridge to let it cool off.

Blend the peach and puree until smooth.

Add it to the tea and stir well. You can serve tea over ice in tall glasses. 

And finally, add few slices of fresh peach to your glass.  if you’d like to sweeten it just add a dash of honey.

Home Made Kombucha with Oolong Tea

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink which has been gaining in popularity due to its probiotic qualities.

To make kombucha you will need black tea, or you could use oolong tea to add even more to its flavor. You could also flavor oolong tea kombucha with peaches. This is an amazing combination with a mixture of sweet-sour and fruity notes.  It makes a perfect summer refreshment with lots of health benefits.

Read my post on how to make your own kombucha at home.

Where to Buy Oolong Tea

As someone who has been drinking oolong tea for over ten years, I have tried most of its varieties. I recommend this kind of tea to anyone who’d like to enjoy a nice cup of tea.

Here are my picks from Amazon:

When buying tea in China, as a rule of thumb people do not believe they could get the best quality buying from someone they don’t know, especially online.

Following this rule, I’ve made friends with some of the tea growers in Fujian province. I always buy tea from vendors I’ve meet personally or have been introduced to. If you want some of this good quality tea directly from China, contact me and I can help you get it first-hand.

Final Thoughts

Oolong tea is a great choice for anyone who’d like to taste a different kind of tea. The complex processing methods give it a distinct golden color, mellow aroma with long lasting aftertaste.

Oolong tea is packed with health benefits, while its moderate doses of caffeine make it a perfect alternative for those looking to cut down on coffee intake.

Read Next:

Best Black tea Types: Chinese vs Indian Black Tea

Black tea with Chinese Characteristics

8 Best Green Teas for People Who Don’t Like Green Tea 

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