Also known as blue tea or Wulong, they are highly prized teas produced in China and Taiwan. They are a semi-oxidized tea—the word "wulong" literally translates to "dark dragon"—somewhere between green tea and black tea.
They are famous among tea enthusiasts for their properties and unique characteristics, as these teas vary in oxidation levels ranging from 90% to 10%. Oolong teas are extremely rare, and it is common to come across passionate enthusiasts in specialized forums asking where to buy Oolong tea.
Oolong Tea, where to buy it?
One of the most common questions among tea lovers in forums is "Oolong tea, where to buy it?". It is indeed not easy to find quality Oolong tea as it is very rare. At Terza Luna, you can easily buy Oolong tea online at a fair price, so you can indulge in a cup of this rare and delicious tea!
Oolong Tea: the highly prized semi-oxidized Chinese tea
Traditionally produced in China, the cultivation of Oolong tea was introduced in the 18th century in Taiwan as well. The quality of Taiwanese Oolong tea varies from harvest to harvest due to the unstable atmospheric and environmental conditions of the country. Oolong production has been adopted by several other countries, but they have not reached the quality provided by Chinese and Taiwanese traditions. The taste of Oolong—also the namesake of a character in the famous anime Dragon Ball—is particularly fruity, more intense than green tea but sweeter than black tea.
What is Oolong tea?
Oolong tea, also known as wu long or blue tea, is a category of tea that falls between green and black tea based on the oxidation level of the leaves.
| Type | Black | Oolong | Green and White |
| Percentage of leaf oxidation | 100%-60% | 60%-15% | 15%-0% |
Depending on the oxidation level of the tea leaves, we can distinguish tea families that we all know. Its name means "black dragon," a direct reference to the shape of some Oolong teas. In the West, they are known because the media often presents them as slimming teas, but there is not enough scientific literature to support this claim. In any case, their properties do not seem to differ from other teas, as they are due to the combination of caffeine and polyphenols.
One of the most interesting aspects of Oolong teas is that they offer a wide range of possibilities. Starting from the fact that there can be many gradations between 10% and 90%. The countries that produce them are as diverse as always (primarily China and Taiwan), with different subcategories leading to many small excellences: for example, there are Yan Cha or rock teas, originating from plants that root in rocks, or Dan Cong, among the most delicate and expensive.
There are also high mountain Taiwanese oolong, which are characterized by a fresh taste, often with notes of orchid, and those roasted like Dong Ding, which were more common in the past. In short, there are many, different, and good ones. This is definitely one of the reasons why many tea enthusiasts often have a passion for this genre. And now that I have my cup of Feng Huang Dan Cong in my hands, I can say that I agree with them.
What are the differences between Oolong tea, green tea, and black tea?
Oolong teas are semi-oxidized teas, and they represent a middle ground between green tea and black tea. Green tea, in fact, has no or very low oxidation (1-2%), while black tea has an oxidation of 90-100% of the leaf. Oxidation is a chemical reaction of oxygen on plant cells, which gives the characteristic black color to tea leaves.
Often we come across texts, even from reliable sources, that define Oolong as semi-fermented tea: this is actually inaccurate, as fermentation and oxidation are two different processes. Oxidation is a natural process, while fermentation is a chemical reaction caused by microorganisms such as molds and bacteria.
Oolong teas are therefore semi-oxidized because during the processing they undergo a partial oxidation. Once harvested, tea leaves are withered in the sun, then oxidized, rolled, and dried. The rolling process is not always carried out, some Oolongs can also be found in leaves, while others do not have the characteristic rolled shape but rather a sort of 'balling up' of the leaf. Generally, lightly oxidized Oolongs can be found in 'balls' even though this is not an absolute rule. Some Oolongs are roasted after the rolling process, and they are called roasted Oolongs.
A good Oolong tea depends not only on the quality of the plant but above all on the skill of the tea master in processing the leaves. Oolong teas can indeed be different based on the degree of leaf oxidation and the type of processing, resulting in Oolongs with very different specificities: it is the tea master who decides to what degree of oxidation to subject the leaf, based on its appearance and aroma, and it is a difficult processing process because it is not possible to know the result until the end of processing. While in green teas oxidation is immediately stopped and in black teas carried out until complete leaf oxidation, Oolong teas have a wide range of possible oxidation levels (between 10% and 90%) that vary the aromatic profile, in fact, this process impacts the structure of the leaf polyphenols, influencing different aspects of tea, from color (a lightly oxidized Oolong could visually resemble a green tea) to aromatic notes.
In addition to this, even the withering process of the leaves, and its duration completely change the taste of the tea, which is why extreme attention is needed during all processing steps to obtain the best quality Oolong. This factor should be taken into consideration when purchasing an Oolong; often these are teas with a high price, due to the fact that it is extremely difficult to obtain a good Oolong and the best qualities are produced in limited quantities.
Oolong Tea: Properties and Contraindications
Among the properties of Oolong, many claim that these teas help with weight loss, however, there are no studies that prove this theory. Lightly oxidized Oolongs have antioxidant properties, like many green teas, while high mountain Oolongs are rich in minerals.
We recommend a good Oolong to enjoy the particular taste and sweet notes of its infusion. They are teas without contraindications, with caffeine content that varies depending on the plant and harvest times. If you want an Oolong without caffeine (or caffeine, being the same molecule), we suggest trying roasted Oolongs, which lose all caffeine in the roasting process.
Oolong Tea Varieties
The differences between the various types of Oolong depend both on the processing method and the plant itself. The distinction between Chinese and Taiwanese Oolong teas lies in the cultivar of the plant, which genetically adapts to different climates. This is why even within the same country, we find different types of Oolong.
The best Oolong comes from high mountain regions, extremely rich in minerals. Also known as Wuyi Oolong, named after the Wuyi mountains, one of the main tea production centers in Fujian province where Oolong is believed to have been invented. Today, the most precious and expensive organic Oolong tea is produced in limited quantities in this region.
Terzaluna offers for sale some of the most precious and unique Oolong teas, directly imported from the best plantations.
- Oriental Beauty: a variety produced in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Its leaves are bitten by an insect, resulting in small spots of oxidation that give the tea sweet, fruity, and honeyed notes. Try our Oriental Beauty directly imported from Taiwan.
- Milky Oolong: not 100% pure tea, but one of the most sought after for its unique flavor. Inspired by a Taiwanese cultivation, Jin Xuan or milk tea, a precious high mountain tea with naturally buttery and fragrant notes. Milky Oolong recalls the flavor of Jin Xuan, obtained by flavoring lightly oxidized Oolong leaves with milk vapors, giving the infusion a creamy and vanilla taste.
- Ginseng Oolong: an excellent substitute for coffee, made by covering tea leaves, usually Tie Guan Yin, with Ginseng powder. It is a great remedy for fatigue and tiredness, with a sweet and delicate flavor.
- Gaba: Oolong teas that produce a high percentage of gamma-aminobutyric acid (Gaba) during oxidation, a calming, relaxing, and hypnotic neurotransmitter, an excellent remedy for hyperactivity.
Preparation
How to prepare Oolong tea? Although this particular tea can be prepared with a classic infusion, we suggest experimenting with the oriental method and making multiple infusions of the same leaves to fully enjoy its purity.
For multiple infusions, it is recommended to use smaller amounts of water, and if available, an oriental teapot like Yixing, which is smaller than typical Western teapots, and larger amounts of tea. Proceed with short and multiple infusions, lasting 30-60 seconds each.
For Oolong preparation, the quantities are:
- 7 grams of tea
- half a liter of water
- boiling water at 100 degrees
Boiling water is necessary for this infusion.
The multiple infusion method is the best way to savor the tea, as the taste changes and becomes more vibrant with each infusion. A long infusion can make the tea bitter, overshadowing the delicate and floral notes that are crucial in pure teas like Oolong.
If you wish to try a cold brew method, you can opt for a classic maceration, using 10 grams of product per liter of water, leaving it to infuse in the refrigerator overnight.
New Taiwanese Oolong Tea
After our recent trip to Taiwan, we have selected numerous varieties of Taiwanese teas in addition to the Oolong teas that we invite you to try and that you will find in the dedicated section.
Visit our online shop: Organic and highest quality Oolong Tea
Our passion for tea has led us to choose and select the best varieties of Oolong tea for sale online. In over 10 years of experience, we have tried to make our selection of organic Oolong tea much richer, offering it at affordable prices, but never compromising on quality. Terza Luna's organic Oolongs come from small artisanal cultivations in China and Taiwan, the two nations where the culture of this semi-oxidized tea is strongest and most rooted.
We often come across forums where users ask "Where can I buy good quality Oolong tea?" Terza Luna is the right answer!
Prices
On Terzaluna.com you can find Oolong tea at prices ranging from 4€ for a flavored Oolong, up to 24.50€ for an Oolong aged in oranges.
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