Even though Oolong tea is skyrocketing in popularity recently, it is a traditional tea with Chinese roots. Boasting numerous health benefits Oolong is in the same species as green and black tea and is processed according to a three-century-old tradition in Fujian Province, China. The name "Oolong" means black dragon in Chinese, a name that has several myths behind it.
What is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea is a traditional semi-oxidized Chinese tea produced through a process including withering the plant under strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting. After this, they are basket-tossed to break down the cells on the surface of the leaves and wok-fired, which halts the oxidization process.
Heating methods include masterfully hand roasting the tea leaves in multiple steps which generally take place throughout the night.
Oolongs are often processed over charcoal or wood which gives a unique flavor to the various finishing styles. Finally, the leaves are curled or rolled into crispy shapes that resemble tiny black dragons, hence the descriptive name.
Because oolong tea leaves are more mature, they are harvested later in the spring than green or white teas – usually from late April to early May.
History Of Oolong Tea
Oolong represents a true artisan mastership of tea processing. The appearance, shape and flavor of an oolong tea can vary wildly depending on the region where it’s grown and how it’s processed.
There are numerous theories about how oolong tea came to be.
The first theory, called the “tribute tea” theory, claims that oolong tea stems directly from the Dragon-Phoenix Cake tribute tea, which was made up of two different tea types: “Dragon” (Long) and “Phoenix” (Fong), produced in the Beiyuan tea gardens. When loose-leaf tea came into play as the new way of serving tributes, the name was changed to “Black Dragon” or oolong tea, to associate with the dark, wiry leaves that resulted from this form of processing.
The second theory comes from the “Wuyi” theory, which claims that oolong tea was originally named after the Wuyi mountain region, where it was first documented in poems from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
The third theory comes from the “Anxi” theory, which claims that oolong tea was first discovered in the Anxi region of the Fujian province when a man named Wuliang, accidentally allowed his tea leaves to oxidize after being distracted during the harvest.
Oolong teas reached the height of their popularity during the Qing dynasty, with the introduction of Ti Quan Yin, or Iron Goddess of Mercy, to the emperor Qian Lung, who was so enamored by the beauty of the tea that word of it quickly spread.
This was also about the time that the gongfu ceremonial method of serving tea came about and played an instrumental role in political and modern warfare during that period. Oolong tea was usually served out of special handmade teapots made out of purple clay called Yixing teapots. These were designed to be used with one type of tea only in order to season the teapot and avoid cross-contamination of flavors.
What Does Oolong Tea Taste Like?
One of Oolong tea's benefits lies in its versatile nature. Depending on oxidation levels, Oolong tea can take on a spectrum of flavors and colors, from light green to darker pigments with sweet or smokey flavors to match. Other Oolong tea can taste like a myriad of flavor profiles include grassy and flowery tones and spicy or toasty aromas.
One common trait of Oolong is that it tends to keep bitterness at bay, a common complaint from people who do not care for green or black teas. Due to the approachable flavors, they certainly stand to turn tea skeptics into tea lovers.
What is Oolong Tea Good For?
Oolong teas are highly sought after for their benefits and antioxidant-rich properties. Many people enjoy it as an afternoon refreshment to boost metabolism or as a way to keep their skin looking young and vibrant.
Other potential benefits of Oolong tea include improving heart health, increasing alertness and your immune system, mitigating diabetes symptoms, and supporting dental health.
Final Words
If you're looking for a top-notch Oolong tea selection, Boduo International is your destination. With a wide selection that covers the unique and varied flavor profiles Oolong has to offer, you're bound to discover your next favorite.
Ready to get cozy with a cup of tea? Purchase a delicious box of Oolong tea from Boduo International now!
Milk tea has grabbed the attention of the average young teenagers thanks to its variety of colors, flavors and textures. If you're looking for your own milk tea business opportunity, BODUO International is your destination. As a professional milk tea supplier, with free training, raw materials, machines, and packaging material, will offer you the best service.
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