Oolong tea is a delicious Chinese tea that supplies attributes of both green teas as well as black teas. It provides a wonderfully diverse taste profile thanks to a manufacturing process that is liquid and also adjustable.
Each oolong is one-of-a-kind thanks to the effect of local variation and the capability of tea masters to personalize each harvest and also each range. Discover what oolong needs to supply when it pertains to health and wellness benefits, flavor, as well as tea enjoyment.
Oolong Tea Basics
Oolong tea, or wulong tea, is one of the five true tea types– together with white tea, environment-friendly tea, black tea, and also pu-erh tea– made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The tea is identified as a Chinese tea as well as is among the primary tea exports from China. The term wulong in Chinese literally equates to “black dragon tea”.
Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea that is processed using sunlight and air. The leaves are gathered as well as perished to lower moisture material. After that the fallen leaves are carefully wounded to motivate enzymes to react with oxygen– a process called oxidation– after which the fallen leaves turn a deep brown and develop a rich flavor.
Oolong teas are typically grown utilizing specific selections of the tea plant. The fallen leaves can be oxidized anywhere from 8 to 85 percent and tea suppliers very carefully keep an eye on the process. Because of the large range of oxidation levels, oolong teas offer dramatically diverse taste.
Leaves that are oxidized for much shorter periods of time often tend to have a wonderful, floral flavor. Those that are oxidized much longer have a tendency to be a lot more robust with earthy and woodsy notes. Gently oxidized teas have a lighter body while heavily oxidized teas are thicker and also richer. Many oolong teas are formed right into curly pins or pearls. Oolong teas are frequently used as a base tea in addition to organic teas to create flavorful teas that provide much deeper as well as extra detailed taste profiles.
This tea is an integral component of the Gongfu tea ceremony exercised in the Fujian area of China. The Gongfu tea ceremony resembles the Japanese tea event, except the temperature and also presentation guidelines are a little various. For a proper Gongfu cha, the temperature of the oolong tea need to be between 203 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The tea exists using a yixing teapot and also generally offered in 3 cups known as Pinming cups.
Best Sorts Of Oolong Tea
There are thousands of various types of oolong tea. Flavors vary relying on terroir, cultivation practices, and also production techniques. Right here are a few of the very best oolong teas:
Milk Oolong Tea (Jin Xuan Tea).
Milk oolong tea is most frequently produced in China and Thailand. The name doesn’t describe the enhancement of milk to your favorite, but instead the milk-like taste generated throughout the oxidation procedure of the oolong tea leaves. This oolong is floral and also creamy with a luxurious full-mouthed coating.
Iron Siren of Mercy Oolong (Ti Kuan Yin).
This oolong is among one of the most well-known Chinese teas. It is produced in the Anxi region of the Fujian District. This oolong is grown high in the mountains and was served to emperors. Today, these oolongs provide tips of honey as well as flower flavors in a light as well as ventilated body.
Wuyi Oolong Tea (Da Hong Pao).
This oolong tea is referred to as among one of the most expensive teas on the planet. The best fallen leaves are collected from plants that expand along mountainous cliffs and also have been established there for more than 1,000 years. Various other lower-quality Wuyi oolongs are more inexpensive and also used newer plants. This tea is typically called Red Bathrobe tea and includes a deep maroon shade. It is greatly oxidized as well as supplies a brisk, smoky flavor that is abundant and layered.
Se Chung Oolong Tea.
Se Chung oolong tea is lightly oxidized causing a fragile flavor that is a little herbaceous and evocative green teas. The fallen leaves are fermented just long enough for the leaf ideas to turn brownish prior to they are terminated to stop more oxidation. Somewhat earthy and highly aromatic, provide this lesser-known oolong a shot if you’re searching for a light oolong with elegant taste.
