Oolong Tea Guideline

What is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that occupies a unique position between green and black teas in terms of oxidation. Originating from China and particularly popular in the southeastern regions, oolong is partially oxidized, with levels ranging from 8% to 85% depending on the variety. This processing results in a diverse flavor profile ranging from light and floral to rich and roasted. 

Many oolong teas use specific tea plant cultivars, contributing to their distinct characteristics. Oolong is known for its complexity and is often brewed multiple times, with each infusion revealing different flavor notes. Like other teas, it's rich in antioxidants and may offer various health benefits. 

Whether you're new to tea or a seasoned enthusiast, oolong provides a wide range of flavors to explore, making it a favorite among tea connoisseurs.

The Origin of Oolong Tea

Back in the Qing Dynasty, there was a guy named Su Long who folks called "Oolong" because he was dark and strong. He grew tea and hunted for a living.

One day, Oolong got caught up in enjoying some wild game he'd caught and forgot about the tea leaves he'd picked earlier. The next morning, he found the forgotten leaves had changed overnight – they had red edges and smelled amazing. Not wanting to waste them, he decided to roast them instead.

And just like that, a happy accident led to a whole new kind of tea.

How Oolong Tea is Made?

The process of making Oolong tea is complicated. There are 7 standard procedures to follow. Variations in each step may exist depending on the type of Oolong and the technique of tea makers.

Only when the weather, soil conditions, and the tea-making method are all appropriate, can superb Oolong tea leaves be produced. That’s the so-called “Heaven-Earth-Mankind”; the three crucial elements of tea making. 

Step 1: Plucking

An accurate plucking procedure is fundamental for the subsequent steps. The plucking standard for Oolong is “one-tip two-leaf” which is ripe.

There are two ways of tea leaf plucking, hand-plucking and machine-harvesting. Normally, tea farms at a lower sea level are able to use machine harvesting to reduce labor expenses. Those at higher sea levels have to use hand-plucking, which also brings higher quality. 

Step 2: Withering

The moisture content of freshly plucked tea leaves is 70-80%. To make the leaves tender, tea makers let them wither to prompt evaporation. The oxidation stage naturally begins after the tea leaves lose around 10-12% of moisture.

Step 3: Setting and Tossing

This step takes the longest time in the whole tea-making process. Tea leaves are brought back indoors with extra care. To ensure the water hidden between tea leaves can evenly evaporate, tea makers must precisely control the air temperature and humidity. 

Step 4: Lay leaf

Lay leaf is a step followed after setting and tossing, where tea leaves begin to oxidize. Tossing tea leaves leads to friction that boosts fermentation, and the tossing time depends on the degree of oxidation for Oolong tea. 

Step 5: Fixation

Fixation is simply using heat to stop the fermentation process. The step is crucial as it brings out the tea's aroma, removes any off-flavors, and stabilizes the color and fragrance of tea leaves. 

Tea makers can customize the temperature and rounds for fixation to generate many subtle variations of aroma. By applying high heat, the enzymes in the tea leaves are deactivated, which softens the tissue and facilitates the subsequent rolling process.

Step 6: Rolling

By utilizing mechanical pressure, the cells of the tea leaves are broken down, releasing the sap. This effectively promotes the flavors to release during brewing, elevating the tea body.

Rolling has three main purposes. First of all, it crumples leaf cells. Secondly, it shapes the tea leaves into curls, making them easier to preserve. Lastly, it can create teas of different taste profiles.

Step 7: Drying

Drying completely stops fermentation and other biochemical reactions, ensuring that the tea’s quality is optimized. The moisture content in the tea leaves must be reduced to below 5%.

There are three main drying methods, which are stir drying, hot air drying, and sun drying. Tea makers determine the method based on preferences and environmental conditions.

Tasting Notes for Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is often praised for its thick tea body and Nutty aroma. The common words used to describe oolong tea flavor include:

• Mellow 
• Warming
• Intense
• Fragrant
• Nutty

Oolongs are generally richer and stronger in flavor than green tea and black tea, but not as full-bodied as black tea.

Different Types of Oolong Tea

According to its tea plant variety, Oolong tea can be categorized into Jin Xuan Oolong, Shijichun, and Chin Shin Oolong.

Jin Xuan Oolong

Jin Xuan is cultivated successfully by a Taiwanese tea maker. The tea leaves are thicker and oval-shaped, with a deep green color and a glossy appearance. Additionally, these leaves exhibit strong adaptability to various growing conditions, so the plucking season is longer.

The tea infusion has a refreshing and milky flavor.

Shijichun Oolong

Shijichun in Chinese means “ four seasons of spring”, which means it can be processed all year round. The leaves are spindle-shaped, with a light green color.

The aroma of the tea body is quite intense, which reminds people of Cape Jasmine, and it has a clear and bright liquor.

Chin Shin Oolong

Chin Shin tea plants are smaller. Normally planted in high mountains, the tea plant can endure cold better than other varieties. The tea leaves have a dark green color and great flexibility.

The aroma profile for Chin Shin Oolong is diverse. Sometimes, hints of fruits or honey may appear in your first sip followed by some lingering sweetness. 

Our Premium Oolong Tea

Mua Yik Tea offers an exquisite selection of Oolong tea. Explore now and find your perfect cup!

What are The Health Benefits of Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea, a semi-oxidized variety, contains diverse antioxidants. Enjoying Oolong tea can significantly boost your overall well-being. Research shows that the nutrients in oolong tea provide stronger antioxidant and antimutagenic effects than those in green or black teas.

How Much Oolong Tea Is Good for You?

For healthy adults, the FDA suggested a 400mg caffeine consumption limit per day. 

Generally, a cup (250ml) of Oolong tea contains around 15-70g of caffeine. The range varies according to the brewing times/temperature and the age of Oolong tea. The amount of caffeine decreases as you brew for the second and third time, or at a lower brewing temperature. Aged Oolong tea also has less caffeine content.

In other words, somewhere under 5 cups of Oolong tea daily would be fine for you.

How to Brew Oolong Tea Perfectly?

Oolong tea comes in a variety of tea leaf shapes and oxidation degrees. You can follow these simple tips to brew a cup of satisfying Oolong.

Things You Need

• Teacup
   
• Teapot
   
• Kettle / Pot
   
• Oolong tea leaves
   
• Filtered water

Steeping Steps

Step 1: Heat the water

Step 2: Measure tea leaves

Golden ratio: 50ml of water for 1g of tea leaves; 250ml - 350ml of water for a 3g tea bag

Step 3: Put the measured tea leaves into your teapot

Step 4: Pre-brew (allow tea leaves to unfurl and accelerate the infusion in subsequent brew)

• Pour hot water into the teapot to slightly cover the tea leaves
   
• Gently shake the teapot
   
• Pour away the water after 3-5 seconds

Step 5: Refill the teapot with hot water

Step 6: Steep the tea

Step 7: Pour the tea into your teacup slowly

Step 8: Enjoy while you taste

Enhancing the Flavor

You can customize the flavor by adding different ingredients, so every cup is unique!

• Sweeteners: honey, sugar, syrup
  Adding small amounts of sweeteners can balance any bitterness in the tea.
   
• Dairy: milk, oat milk, almond milk
  Adding dairy can add a smooth and creamy texture.
   
• Fresh herbs: lemongrass, mint, basil
  Adding fresh herbs can provide additional refreshment to your tea.
   
• Citrus fruits: lemon, grapefruit, orange
  Adding citrus fruits can make the tea taste more lively and tangy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure you enjoy the best cup of tea, try to avoid these common mistakes.

• Wrong Steeping Time
  The accurate steeping time differs. Be aware of the chart above to avoid oversteeping, which leads to astringency in flavor.
   
• Wrong Water Temperature
  Different kinds of Oolong tea leaves have their ideal steeping condition. The tea leaves and flavor could be damaged if the water temperature is too high.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Oolong Tea?

The fundamental rules for tea storage are: store it in an opaque and airtight container and keep it away from sunlight, moisture, and foreign odor. A cool, dark corner in your cabinet may be a great spot.

Why Is Oolong Tea Called Blue Tea?

Due to the classification model in which every tea has its color name, Oolong tea is named Qingcha（青茶） in Chinese. Just like green tea and black tea, blue is the color closest to “Qing”. Therefore, Oolong is also known as blue tea.

What Are the Side Effects of Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea contains a fair amount of caffeine, so it comes with the same side effects as coffee and other teas. Common symptoms are insomnia, headache, and rapid heartbeat.

Is Oolong Tea Stronger Than Coffee?

Oolong tea, no matter the degree of oxidation, is far less strong than coffee. In general, a cup of coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, while a cup of Oolong contains 35mg. However, Oolong tea is still higher in caffeine content than most other teas.