These days, there are so many teas to choose from that consumers can easily become confused by the variety available on grocery store shelves or at specialty stores. Green teas, black teas, herbal teas, and flavored teas—all come in a wide range of flavors, with many claiming to offer various health benefits. Among them, the Chinese tea known as Oolong has gained popularity in recent years.
What is Oolong Tea?
Tea bushes produce three main types of tea. The most commonly known are black tea—the kind you find in standard tea bags—and green tea, which is lauded for its many medicinal properties. Black tea is fully oxidized before drying, while green tea remains unoxidized. Oolong tea falls somewhere in between, with oxidation levels ranging from 10% to 70%. As a result, oolong tea possesses qualities of both black and green teas.
The word oolong means “black dragon” in Chinese. The origin of the name is unclear, but several legends surround it. One tale speaks of a man named Wu Liang (later known as Wu Long or Oolong) who, while picking tea leaves, was distracted by an animal—possibly a river deer. By the time he returned to his tea, it had already partially oxidized. He chose to drink it anyway, and the result was a wonderfully flavorful brew. Rumor has it that he shared the mellow, aromatic tea with his neighbors, who began calling it Wu Liang tea.
Another theory suggests that oolong tea got its name because the leaves of this partially oxidized tea resemble tiny black dragons that unfurl when hot water is poured over them.
Oolong contains about half the caffeine of black tea and roughly twice the caffeine of green tea. The flavor of oolong, however, does not resemble either green or black tea. While it may have a stronger aroma than other varieties, oolong is rarely bitter.
History
Oolong tea has a history that dates back around 400 years to Fujian Province in China, during the late Ming Dynasty. The region surrounding Mt. Wu Yi Shan is renowned as one of the best areas in the world for tea cultivation due to its ideal average temperature of around 18°C (64°F) and other favorable climatic conditions. Much of the oolong tea produced today still comes from Fujian Province, where it is so highly valued that they have developed a special way of drinking it using tiny teapots and cups.
For many years, oolong tea was considered an expensive and hard-to-find commodity, especially in North America. However, in the 1990s, specialty tea companies began canning oolong tea, making it more readily available to the general public outside of China and Japan. Today, it is far easier to find than it was a decade ago.
How is it Made
The production of oolong tea involves skilled craftsmen who follow a meticulous process. The tea leaves are carefully picked at the right time and then exposed to the sun for a set period. Afterward, they are moved indoors to dry and begin fermenting. Experienced tea makers know exactly when to stop the fermentation process to create the perfect oolong—typically when the leaves are about 30% red and 70% green. The leaves are then hand-rubbed to enhance their aroma and flavor, before being dried using charcoal. Once the process is complete, a “tea master” inspects the quality before the tea is allowed to be sold.
Health Benefits of Oolong Tea
The Chinese have long recognized the health benefits of all types of tea, and oolong is no exception. It is known to help fight obesity by activating the enzyme responsible for dissolving triglycerides (fatty deposits) and enhancing fat metabolism. Additionally, the large amount of polyphenols in oolong tea helps prevent tooth decay and slows down the production of free radicals, which are known to accelerate the aging process. Herbalists believe that oolong tea can also improve kidney and spleen health.
Disadvantages
The primary disadvantage of drinking large quantities of oolong tea is the potential development of insomnia due to its caffeine content. Additionally, excessive consumption of tea, in general, can lead to the discoloration of teeth.
