What is the Best Oolong Tea?

The popularity of Oolong tea has grown in the past century, yet it's still fairly uncommon to many people, even daily tea drinkers. So before you can choose the best oolong tea, find out:

What is Oolong tea?

When it comes to tea, oolong is truly in a category of its own offering so much diverse flavor, complexity, and body. If it comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant, you may wonder how it can me so different? These characteristics are achieved with special processing methods.

Oolong tea is partially oxidized so it falls between a fully oxidized black tea and lightly oxidized green tea.

The most famous ones are grown in China and Taiwan. The Taiwanese variety are typically less oxidized than those from China. However, you can also find oolong tea produced from India, Japan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Thailand.

While oolongs can be processed differently, the leaves are formed into one of two distinct styles: Rolled or twisted. The tea master determines the shape as it is an essential detail for developing the aroma.

Rolled Oolong

This style looks like compressed tea leave balls. When steeped, the balls expand into large, unbroken leaves. The round ball shape reduces the surface area exposed to air. This is a preferred shape for lightly oxidized oolongs that remain green.

Heavily oxidized versions can also be found in the rolled ball shape. These are often roasted which results in a darker leaf and richer flavor.

Taiwan and China are know for producing green oolongs with strong floral aromas. Oolong from Taiwan can also have distinct creamy texture which is a result of being grown at high elevations.

Twisted Oolong

Twisted Oolongs originate in Guangdong, the southern province as well as the Wuyi Mountains located in the northern Fujian province. The southern oolongs undergo about 30% oxidation resulting in natural fruity or floral flavors. The process is often finished with a light roast to emphasize the flavor and aroma.

Oolong from the northern province are bruised and undergo almost 70% oxidation. Afterwhich they are heavily roasted, commonly over charcoal wood resulting in bold and toasty flavors.

What is Oxidation?

Oxidation is the chemical reaction that causes tea leaves to turn brown. The oxidation process is responsible for the flavor and aroma of the finished tea. Oxidation may be prevented completely such as for green tea or white tea. Black tea is allowed to completely oxidize, while for Oolong tea, oxidation is initiated, controlled, and stopped.

The oxidation of oolong can range from 20 to 80 percent, resulting in leaves that vary from bright green or yellow, to very dark amber or red color. This semi-oxidized state allows the tea to retain the good qualities of both unoxidized and oxidized teas.

Oxidation modifies the compound structure of the tea leaf. Less oxidized teas typically contain more beneficial antioxidants. You can judge the level of oxidation by looking at the leaf color – less oxidized oolongs are lighter, while darker leaves are a sign of higher oxidation.

What does Oolong tea taste like?

Less oxidized leaves will have a fresh or floral flavor with a honey aroma. Higher oxidized leaves are often roasted creating a robust, nutty flavor with a roasted and complex aroma. Aged Oolongs will take on light notes of a mellow whiskey.

Tea masters have spent hours perfecting Oolong tea. To fully experience the flavors and smooth finish that were intended for you, try sipping it plain before adding milk or sugar.

Oolong also can be the perfect base for blending with other flavors. It provides a perfect balance allowing all the flavors to work together on your palate.

Jin Xuan oolong, known as "milk oolong", has a highly sought-after creamy flavor with a smooth finish. The creaminess is a result of the high elevation with rich soil, moisture from mist or rain, and the right dose of sunshine.

When processed and lightly roasted, the leaves naturally produce a milk-like flavor and aroma. Don't fall for the artificial milk oolongs that have been infused with a milk flavor. These are generally labeled "flavored".

Not all oolongs grow on mist-covered mountains. Some thrive in lower foothills forested with bamboo. Leaves plucked in spring produce a more floral flavor, while those plucked in winter are roasted to create a more robust, woodsy flavor.

Does Oolong have caffeine?

If you're wondering if it is good to drink oolong tea before bed, it is similar to green tea when it comes to caffeine content. Both contain about 10-60 mg per 8 ounces. As a comparison, coffee contains approximately 70 to 130 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. So if you are sensitive to caffeine, you should save this tea for morning.

It is important to note that the more highly oxidized varieties may contain higher amounts of caffeine, closer to a black tea. Caffeine levels vary depending on how the cultivation and processing of the tea plant.

What is the Best Oolong Tea for you?

The best Oolong tea for you depends on your personal taste preferences and health goals. When selecting the best Oolong tea, consider factors such as oxidation level, flavor profile, and your caffeine sensitivity.

Here are some popular options to consider:

1. Jade Oolong: A sweet and delicate mouth taste of floral flavors with a light butter finish.
2. Formosa Oolong: Savory almond flavor with the bright, fruity taste. A perfect dessert complement or as a great stand-alone drink.
3. Peach Oolong: More oxidized with a deeper color, and an intense, juicy peach flavor. The blend of apples, marigold flowers, and peaches creates a smooth cup with just a touch of astringency.
4. Maharaja Chai: The smooth flavor of the oolong combines with an alluring chai spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, chicory, and cocoa nibs. A savory and spicy cup.
5. Blackberry Sage: Bold yet smooth, earthy flavors of blackberries, raspberries, and herbs. The aroma of sage is nicely balanced with the fruity aroma creating a seamless blend of flavors.
6. Milk Oolong: A light roasting and rolling process creates a roasted oolong milk tea with a smooth and creamy texture.
7. Darjeeling Oolong: The champagne of teas. Dried muscat grape and apricot pit aroma with a tangy dried fruit flavor and deep floral notes.

Benefits of Oolong tea

Drinking a few cups of oolong tea per day may have potential health benefits:

• Aid in weight loss
• Lower blood pressure
• Improve sleep
• Balance gut microbiome
• Reduce high blood sugar
• Fight cancer
• Lower risk of heart disease
• Protect brain health
• Reduce cholesterol levels
• Improve bone density
• Improve dental health
• Reduce risk of stroke
• Increase alertness
• De-stress
• Reduce eczema

How to Prepare Oolong Tea

We always recommend the loose leaf tea over tea bags, and this one is no different. Teabags typically offer lower quality flavor and aroma coming from the dust and fannings of the leaf as opposed to the full loose leaf.

When steeping the leaves, be sure to use a vessel that allows the leaf to unfurl and release the flavors and aroma to its fullest.

Here are a few general tea brewing tips:

• Start with fresh, cold filtered water.
• Steeping temperature and time can vary depending on the variety, but generally between 180 and 200F for two to three minutes.
• If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, let your boiling water sit for two to three minutes to reach the proper temperature before pouring it over your leaves.
• We suggest brewing with 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water.
• Allow the leaves to steep for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Avoid over steeping your tea. Although it is more forgiving than green and black teas, oolongs are designed to taste best with multiple short infusions. Taste your tea after the recommended steeping time and then decide if you’d like it to steep a little longer.
• Keep your tea covered during the steep to keep the heat in the vessel.
• You will benefit from using high-quality tea leaves, as they can be re-steeped several times. The leaves will unfurl from their twisted shape a bit more with each steep, revealing additional layers of flavor.

Now that you know all about Oolong tea, all you need to know is where to buy oolong...we can help with that!