Contents
What is Oolong tea?
Oolong belongs to a different category of tea than black or green tea. However, depending on the approach the tea master takes in processing the tea, an oolong may end up with more black tea qualities or more green tea characteristics.
Oolong tea is the product of authentic artisanal tea processing. The place in which it is grown and the method of processing can have a significant impact on the look, shape, and flavor of an oolong tea. Oolong tea is still held in high regard in both China and Taiwan, where its roots are also claimed.
What do you know about Four Seasons Oolong tea? Read the post below to get helpful knowledge about such special tea.
How is Oolong tea different from Black tea
Many people mistakenly think that dark oolong tea is a form of black tea. That is untrue. Oolong tea, like all teas, is produced from the Camellia Sinenses tea plant. Each sort of tea is processed differently, though. There are some differences of the two grades of teas as below:
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Appearance
Black teas with little buds are typically thought of as more premium in terms of raw materials.
Oolong teas, in contrast, focus less on tiny buds and leaves. In fact, they frequently have bigger leaves, which are more suited to the rigorous processing procedures they go through. Oolong teas provide complex smells because the edges of the leaves are brushed during rolling.
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Oxidation
Oolong teas oxidize at a rate halfway between green and black teas. Thus, they are often referred to as “partially oxidized” teas.
Black teas, as all may know, are processed in a way that yields fully oxidized leaves.
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Taste
Although the color of black and dark oolong teas may seem to be similar, they taste very differently. Black tea frequently has overtones of smoke, honey, or caramel. Dark oolong teas may also include some of these notes. Dark oolong, on the other hand, has a rock mineral basis that is difficult to discover in black teas.
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Liquor
While black teas often have the black red color of liquor, Oolong teas’ liquor has the yellow light green color.
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Aroma & Caffeine level
Oolong teas are noted for having a sweet, fruity, and honeyed aroma while black tea’s aroma can be anything from earthy, smokey, or spicy to nutty, caramel, or fruity. Compared to oolong tea, black tea has a significantly stronger flavor.
Regarding the caffeine level, oolong tea typically contains between black and green tea’s amounts of caffeine. A cup of black tea might be a good replacement to start if you’re switching from coffee due to the strong flavor and high caffeine content.
Oolong tea origins
There are many stories about how the Oolong tea came and its origins.
According to one legend story, the large, dark tea leaves that were extensively oxidized and twisted into shapes that happened to resemble the mythical Chinese dragon were given the moniker “wulong,” or “black dragon,” by the Chinese. Another legend claims that the oolong tea style was accidentally developed by a tea grower by the name of Wu Liang (later abbreviated to Wulong). After a long day of picking tea, the farmer became preoccupied, and when he turned his attention back to his withering tea leaves, he saw that they had already begun to oxidize. Whatever version of events you choose to believe, it is true that the most well-known oolongs are cultivated in China’s high mountainous regions over rocky terrain in chilly climates.
The most well-known oolongs from Taiwan are often lighter in flavor and greener in color than Chinese oolong because they have historically been less oxidized.
While the most well-known oolongs originated in China and Taiwan, other regions of the world are now producing many oolong varieties. And Vietnam is among those that produce some of the world’s oolong teas.
Oolong tea manufacturing process
Like other types of teas, oolong tea is produced using Camellia sinensis plant leaves. Oolong teas’ distinctive flavor, like that of other teas, is a result of how they are prepared. Oolong teas range from 8 to 85% in terms of oxidation, which is halfway between green tea (0% oxidation) and black tea (100% oxidation). Oolong tea has a wide range of flavors and personalities due to its level of oxidation and the various processing methods used to produce it.
Oolong tea benefits
Oolong tea has a variety of antioxidants as a semi-oxidized tea, including those that are present in both green and black teas. Antioxidants are substances that shield our cells from oxidative stress, environmental toxins, and aging.
Oolong tea’s polyphenols have been shown in studies to reduce blood sugar levels. They also lessen insulin resistance, a disease in which the body misuses blood sugar. Both insulin resistance and high blood sugar are risk factors for diabetes as well as other illnesses like obesity.
Oolong tea has antioxidants like polyphenols that are responsible for many of its health advantages, but it also has additional health-promoting vitamins and minerals. According to studies, the amount of fluoride in oolong tea is comparable to that which dentists advise preventing cavities. Additionally, it might lower the chance of oral cancer and tooth loss.
Oolong tea use
Use freshly drawn, boiled water that has been allowed to cool to about 90°C for a minute or two, then add one teaspoon (2g) of loose leaf tea per cup. 3 minutes of brewing. We don’t advise adding milk to oolong tea since it can dilute the delicate, complex flavors of the beverage. The best part, then? Oolong can be soaked 2-4 times, with each brew bringing out the variety of flavors it contains.
Buy Oolong tea in bulk from Future Generation Co., Ltd
Despite having a smaller market share than black tea and green tea, Vietnamese oolong tea has recently started to gain popularity among tea drinkers. Vietnamese oolong tea has become a premium tea due to its distinctive flavor. It also holds a prominent position in numerous international markets, including the market in Vietnam.
Future Generation Co., Ltd. (FGC) is the biggest and most reputable exporter in Vietnam for product quality with ISO standards, variety blending and packaging services. You may get Vietnamese oolong tea from FGC by emailing to us at huongmaifgc@vietnam-tea.com
Or you can contact us through our website: www.vietnam-tea.com
In conclusion, oolong tea and black tea belong to entirely different tea classes. Different amounts of oxidation are caused by different processing techniques. The size of the leaves matters less for oolong tea than it does for good black teas. Differing flavors are the result of different processing and raw material choices. Although we did our best to explain the distinctions, we strongly urge you to really experience them.
Source:
1/teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-oolong-tea.
2/senchateabar.com/blogs/blog/oolong-tea-vs-black-tea
3/teasenz.com/chinese-tea/is-oolong-tea-black-tea.l
4/letsdrinktea.com/oolong-tea-vs-black-tea/
5/healthline.com/nutrition/oolong-tea-benefits
