Brewing Oolong Tea

For the best tasting tea, always start with high quality oolong tea. This is the first key to a great final result. Because there is such a difference in the oolong varieties, you cannot brew every oolong tea the same way. The water temperature and steeping times will vary. In general, the darker oolongs need boiling water and are steeped longer than lighter oolongs. It is also recommended that you use a clay teapot. A good clay teapot has properties that enable it to absorb the tea flavors. The flavors are then released into the next pot of tea. Good quality water is also important. Be sure the water is fresh, filtered or bottled. The quality of the water is another key to an excellent cup of oolong tea.

Oolong tea is thick and coarse and requires very hot water to open the leaves and let the flavor out. So, boil the water. After the water boils, give it a few seconds to cool and then pour over the tea leaves. As it is brewed, the leaves expand; be sure the teapot has room inside for the leaves to fully open. The brewing of the tea is actually a two step process. The first brew should be a small amount of water poured over the tea leaves. This first brew should be thrown out - it is much too bitter to drink! Now, the oolong tea leaves have opened up and you can proceed with the second brew. Depending on your personal taste, the oolong tea should be infused for one to three minutes. You will need to experiment with the timing and temperature until you discover your perfect taste.

All teas can hold multiple infusions but oolong tea maintains full flavor into at least the third infusion. This is another opportunity to experiment with oolong. You can try different water temperatures, various steeping times and experiment with how many infusions continue to provide great taste.

Using high quality oolong tea also gives you the advantage of a great cup of tea even if you're brewing technique and process was less than perfect. High quality oolong is more reliable and, therefore, more forgiving of our lack of skill in brewing this wonderful beverage. You can expect different flavors and a new taste with every pot your brew.

Healthy Life with Oolong Tea

In America, many people enjoy the tea that is provided in Chinese restaurants, in the small teapots and even tinier little cups. What most do not realize is that this "Chinese tea," called Oolong tea, is produced organically and according to ancient Chinese culture. This traditional drink in China is generally brewed to a full strength that is bitter but leaves a sweet aftertaste. It has a distinctive taste, unlike black teas which have sweet aromas, or green teas with grassy notes.

The leaves are produced in a couple of different ways; they are either rolled into long curly leaves, or pressed into a round form. The long and curly leaves are the ancient method. The translation of the names of the different types of Oolong teas means "black dragon tea."

This type of tea is manually produced in the time-honored traditions of China. The leaves are picked early in the morning, and only on a clear day. They are picked in exacting units: one bud and three leaves which must get immediate exposure to the sun. Next they are dried in barns to help promote fermentation, and only expert 'tea masters' know when the tea is exactly right and fermentation should be stopped. Because it is partially fermented, it is also known as semi-fermented tea.

The fermentation is typically stopped when the leaves are 30% red and 70% green. Then, the tea leaves are repeatedly rubbed to generate the flavor, texture, and aroma that is so well-loved in China, Japan, and the United States. Next, the leaves are charcoal dried, and at the final stage of production, a tea master is utilized to grade the quality by characteristics and flavor.

When Rachel Ray recently mentioned studies on Oolong tea that show it helps in reducing weight, it started a new diet frenzy, with some unrealistic claims. The tea does give you some benefits like increased energy and lots of antioxidants and drinking some can often stave off cravings for sweets and energy slumps. They taste wonderful, so why not add some to your diet?

The Differences among Different Variety of Tea

Tea is a popular drink, and it has many health benefits. However, when you stand in the tea section of the supermarket, you can see a wide variety of choices. What makes them different?

True tea is from a bush that originated in China. There are several different types, depending on processing and when it is picked.

White Tea: This tea is harvested while the leaf buds are still immature. They have fine, silky hairs, unlike the other types of tea. It's also the least processed, so it contains more nutrients.

Green Tea: The leaves are quickly dried upon harvesting to prevent oxidation. There may be many health benefits for green tea, including reducing the chance of developing hardening of the arteries and lowering cholesterol.

Black Tea: Oxidation of the leaves is allowed when processing black tea, it is what gives it the full bodied flavor. It, too, has many health benefits. Like green tea, it may help lower cholesterol, and reduce the likelihood of atherosclerosis. It may also help decrease the dizziness some people feel when they first stand up.

Oolong Tea: The benefits are the same, though the taste is not. This is somewhere between green and black, so the leaves are partially oxidized.

Pu-erh Tea: Many people in the West are unfamiliar with this product. The tea leaves are allowed to develop a mold on the leaves. It probably doesn't have the same health benefits of the other types.

A lot of people call herbal infusions "herbal tea." It has become an acceptable term, though it is actually a misnomer. There are dozens of different combinations, each offering different benefits. That's the good news. When selecting them, I do recommend some caution. Some herbs do interact with medications, and they are just as likely to have side effects as medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if the tea you select will cause problems if you do take prescription medicines.

A Little Information about Oolong Tea

Extensive research showed how oolong tea had magnificently made a difference on diverting the market into consuming a new breed of tea from the traditional green and black teas.

The benefits of oolong tea are diverse. From its unique flavor and aroma to its endless list of healthful benefits, oolong tea is definitely a must-add element in your everyday health regimen.

To know more about oolong tea, here is a list of its proven health advantages.
1. It contains higher amount of polyphenols

2. Foils skin damage
Sometimes the best way to fend off skin damage is to get back to the basics. So toss your high-tech skin treatments aside and indulge in great-smelling, mouth-watering oolong tea. According to the experts, oolong tea can significantly protect your skin from excessive appearance of dark pigments brought about by free radicals.
Moreover, these free radicals are known culprits for facilitating skin aging. With oolong tea, you can definitely stop the aging process by instilling polyphenols in the body, which in turn, delay the aging process.

3. Cut down triglyceride level
Too-high triglyceride levels are another factor associated with a greater risk of heart disease especially when the count reaches 150 or above. This is even true in some people with total cholesterol levels of 150 or below. If you have already had a heart attack, you need to take an especially aggressive stand against these troublemakers by aiming for a target of 100 or below.

If your triglyceride score is too high, restrict saturated fat. Weight loss is particularly important in normalizing triglycerides. With the help of oolong tea, you can easily gain control in losing triglyceride because of its polyphenol content. This substance activates the enzyme that is in charge of melting fatty deposits known as triglycerides. Plus, oolong tea can facilitate fat metabolism within the body.

4. Lesser caffeine content
For those who want to enjoy an afternoon cup of hot drink, instead of coffee or any other type of tea, it is best that they drink oolong tea instead. Experts say that the caffeine content in oolong tea is half as much as that of the black tea and green tea.

Higher dosage of caffeine in the body tends to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system that manages the heart rate. This will, in turn, trigger heart palpitations.

So for health reasons, it is best to drink oolong tea. You may never know its health benefits unless you try.

Weight Loss with Oolong Tea

What Makes a Tea an Oolong Tea?
There are 3 main distinct types of tea which can be generally categorized as follows:

1. Green Tea: is treated or boiled following picking to prevent the leaves from oxidizing and retaining their natural color.
2. Black Tea: is left to oxidize following picking, that’s how it gets their distinctive color.
3. Oolong Tea: the raw leaves are sun-wilted and then bruised, which exposes their juices to the air, so the leaves oxidize and start to turn brown like a cut fruit. They are allowed to oxidize only partially, giving them a rich, floral flavor. The tea is then dried fully; locking in the rich flavors that oolong tea is known to offer. Oolong’s unique drying process creates a tea that has many metabolic stimulating attributes.

Oolongs range from bright green and slightly fermented to dark-leafed and hearty. The greener varieties are less fermented. Oolong tea therefore comes in a wide range of tastes and aromas from teas very close in taste to green tea to those very close to black tea.

Health Benefits
Oolong tea burns over 157% more fat than Green Tea – and therefore becoming the most popular teas designed to accelerate weight loss.

Drinking two cups of Oolong tea every day not only helps shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism, but also blocks the fattening effects of carbohydrates.

Wulong tea promotes beauty and health - Oolong tea contains a large quantity of polyphenol which:

• promotes strong, healthy teeth
• improves cognitive functioning and mental well-being;
• preventing eczema, allergies
• clarifies your skin, giving it a healthy, radiant glow
• strengthens your immune system.

Tea from China

My grandma had a saying which is seldom heard nowadays "I wouldn't do that for all the tea in China!" she would say when pushed to do something that she did not want to do. I guess it arose at a time when tea from China was rare and the preserve of the rich and was something that the masses did not have access to. The many different types of Chinese tea have become increasingly common in everyday life, with many people choosing them because of their potential benefits to health. There are many different varieties of Chinese tea. Some of the most common types are briefly described below. In future articles, I will describe some of the health giving properties that each type is reputed to confer.

Green Teas
The main regions of China that produce the different types of Green Tea are Henan, Anhui, Yunnan and Fujian. Green tea is a great source of pleasure and, if the research is to be believed, health to humans. With just two or three cups a day you can feel a difference in your body and mind. It is said to clean the toxins from the body while assisting many organs to achieve a better overall condition. Its benefits have been recognized for thousands of years while combining a great taste and aroma. It has many different types and tastes. Green tea is a wonderful introduction into the joys of Tea Culture.

Oolong teas
The Main Oolong tea producing regions are Northern Fujian and Taiwan. Oolong is increasingly popular. It has fresh taste and is a believed also to be an excellent source of medical nutrients. Oolong is usually served as small broken leaves like small green trees. Once they come in contact with water expand quite substantially and give a great aroma of freshness and a sweet and taste. Oolong not only tastes great but with just 2 or 3 cups a day you could benefit from its many health properties.

White Teas
The main regions of China for white tea are Northern and Southern Fujian and Hunan Province. White tea is perhaps the most natural form of tea. It is only made from the buds, when they are in their most tender form. Like green tea, white teas have neither processing nor the fermentation stage of most teas. A rare drink and a wonderful subtle taste developed by the Kings and Queens of ancient China.

Pu-erh Teas
Yunnan is the main region producing this fine tea. You will see it spelt in a whole variety of different ways, Puerrh, Pu-erh and so on but whichever way it is spelt, it is nevertheless the great "connoisseur Tea". Pu-erh has a unique taste and also famous as a medicinal Tea - research has found many beneficial compounds within this tea variety. It is a treat and like a good wine it should be drunk slowly, while the leaves settle down in the cup. The similarities to wine do not end there - the rule with Pu-erh tea is the older the better. Some of the best teas are more than fifty years old. It has a strong brown color and distinctive liquorish taste. A must for any tea enthusiast to try!

Flower teas
Flower teas are produced in many regions of China - Fujian, Fuzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Hangzhou and Jinhua in Zhejiang province, and in Sinchuan, Jiangsi, Anhui, and Hebei provinces. Flower teas are teas to drink at any time of day and they also go well with meals. For an extra touch of sweetness you can even add some sugar, although make sure it is always in crystal form as opposed to granulated. Also known as Jasmine tea, Flower teas have many different types and tastes. Most are sweet and are alleged to clean out toxins while offering a great taste. As the name implies flower tea blossoms in the cup while offering that wonderful exquisite aroma.

The Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea has a long and rich history that includes being one of the plants that were grown and prized by ancient Chinese emperors and today is prized for its many known health benefits around the world. The history of the plant that is botanically known as Camellia sinensis has been used throughout history for good health, healing and averting illness. These tea leaves generally originate from the Fuijan Province of China or the mountains of Taiwan and can also be referred to as Wu-Long tea. There is some evidence that the tea leaves from this region have a history of at least four hundred years; arriving toward the end of the Ming Dynasty.

This tea now known for ensuring many different health benefits can be found as straight oolong tea or with other enhancements such as jasmine, orange blossoms and others.

The process of manufacturing the tea is done with utmost care and in a fashion that has transcended the ages; from the time it is picked until the time it is packaged it undergoes a careful hand process. After the leaves are picked they are laid out to dry for a short amount of time where the oxidation process begins. Then the leaves are placed in baskets and shaken in order to bruise them. This exposes the juice of the leaves to the air whereby the oxidation process continues after which the leaves are laid out to dry for a second time. This process will oxidize the leaves from 20-80%, depending on the type of final product desired. The leaves will then be fired to halt the oxidation. Then they are sometimes rolled while still freshly roasted and fired several more times. As a way of finishing the process the leaves are completely cooled and then fired a final time to give the oolong tea the special flavor while reserving the healthful properties of the leaves.

Tea of all types have been under the microscope of late, and oolong tea has been studied and found to have numerous antioxidants, vitamins and minerals along with polyphenols, which all fit into a healthful regiment. Polyphenols that are found in oolong tea have the ability to remove free radicals, which are known for prematurely aging the skin along with causing the dark spots associated with aging.

Oolong tea is also known for enhancing the function of enzymes, which in turn are known to dissolve triglycerides. These are the fatty deposits in the body and therefore it can aid in a weight loss regiment. There have been clinical trials done and it was found that this type of tea can raise the metabolic rate, which speeds up fat oxidation and the catechin polyphenols raise the rate that calories are burned in the body. This in turn means that oolong tea has the compounds in it to aid directly in weight loss. It is also an aid in reducing blood pressure that will in turn help to prevent hypertension; this is because of its ability to use the fatty deposits in the body as fuel for energy.

There is also possible evidence that along with the caffeine there is also an increase in stamina, which can help in an exercise regimen. Caffeine is also known to stimulate the frontal cortex of the brain; this helps in memory function and enhances the thought process.

There are other health benefits that have long been believed by Chinese herbalists such as the properties in oolong tea to reduce tooth decay and to aid in speeding oral healing because of tannic acid that is present in the tea. They also believe oolong tea assists in aiding the kidneys, as well as improving the utilization of glucose, which in turn aids the regulation of insulin.

A recent study of Japanese elderly demonstrated that those who consumed two cups of tea per day had a lower chance of cognitive impairment by approximately fifty percent. Other studies have pointed to tea’s positive impact on the onset of Alzheimer’s.

While there is evidence that oolong tea and tea in general can benefit the health of the body there is also the fact that this tea is consumption friendly. Unlike vitamins, pills, health drinks and other health foods and drinks that are supposedly good for promoting health, oolong tea has a taste that is a pleasure to drink – and it is rehydrating, and nourishing.

This is a tea that has the ability to be flavored with different herbs and floral as well as served alone. Alone it can be dark in color with a robust taste that includes a hint of raisin, honeysuckle or almond. It can also be light and floral if only partially oxidized. Flavored oolongs can be found with names and tastes such as ginger peach oolong tea, orange blossom and plum oolong tea and others. Each of these teas has their own unique flavor and some have history behind their name like the Oriental Beauty, which received its name from Queen Elizabeth II. She named the tea after a tea merchant who brought it from Asia. The name is still used today.

Medical Value of Wu Yi Tea

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages next to water. It's believed to have inherent medicinal value that other substitute drinks like coffee don't have. Wu Yi Tea, also called Oolong Tea is a uniquely blended natural drink which was traditionally used by people of Asian origin, especially the Chinese and Japanese. It was very famous for its outstanding supplements and antioxidants. Its unique nutrients are believed to help in weight loss if drank regularly. Wu Yi Tea contains no calories, fats, chemicals and carbs but has a great taste and smell.

The health benefits of taking Wu Yi tea include helping burn cholesterol from the body which is a major cause of heart diseases like heart attacks. If taken15 minutes before consuming fattening carbs, it reduces the effects of insulin boost and thus can be consumed by people suffering from diabetics. Carbs that are usually converted to fats are blocked so that a person can consume fatty and starchy foods without adding on weight. It also suppresses ones appetite when at the same time moderating blood sugar levels. It also works as anti-ageing remedy by helping eliminate the radicals associated with aging and therefore delaying visible aging signs like wrinkles. It's also believed to prolong the life span of the users.

Wu Yu tea contains chemical that speed up the body metabolism and therefore boosting energy. It's a great drink to take in the morning to keep one alert and energized throughout the day. It's also very great for the skin and dermatologists recommend it for people who want clear skins as it helps get rid of unwanted and harmful chemicals from the body.

Regular intakes of Wu Yi tea helps to boost the immune system. This is through the antioxidant contained in the tea. The nutrients contained in WuYi tea have been proved to promote strong and healthy teeth. Continuous use of the tea helps to reduce the effects of plaque deposit therefore reducing chances of tooth decay.

The only side effect of consuming the tea is that it contains some small levels of caffeine just like all other types of tea. But the good news is that these amounts of caffeine are too little to cause any major heath issues to the users but in fact brings the user more energy. Not unless it's over consumed, these side effects cause no danger at all to the user.

Oolong Tea for Health and Wellness

From time immemorial, the health benefits of tea have been acclaimed across countries. Most is the tea types fall under the category of Camellia Sinensis plant and has its own unique features and properties. Some of the most popular ones include Green tea, Black tea, Oolong tea, and more.

Oolong tea happens to be an interesting tea variety that exhibits traits of both Green tea and Black tea. The leaves are large in appearance and its sweet aroma makes a delicious connoisseur when brewed with proper ingredients. Oolong comes in all varieties including White Tip Oolong tea to Formosa Oolong variety with amber streaks. Oolong tea goes though a shorter oxidation process unlike its counterparts and thus is capable of retaining most health properties.

The tea is recognized as a beneficial health drink and acts as an anti-obesity agent. During the process of oxidation, the level of Catechins is reduced. During the fermentation process, the level of Polyphenols and Flavanoids are increased. Polyphenol augments the process of fat-metabolism in human bodies. Foods rich in carbohydrate when consumed synthesize together to form Triglyceride, which flows through blood veins and capillaries of human bodies and release energies for sustaining life. However, excess deposition of Triglyceride is counterproductive to human health and form fat tissues. Polyphenol reacts directly with Triglycerides and dissolves them smoothly and thus helps in encountering obesity to a large extent.

Apart from its function as a cure to obesity, strong antibacterial and antiviral properties develops a strong immune system in the body which is capable of encountering harmful diseases. The antioxidant properties of Polyphenol coupled with Epigallo Catechin Gallate (EGCC), a substance contained in Oolong tea can prevent unwanted DNA mutation from cells. While buying Oolong tea, it is recommended to go for the organic variety available in loose tea bags. The variety is cultivated without using pesticides and the intermingling of chemicals is far less.

The health benefits of Oolong tea have made it one of the most popular connoisseurs cross the globe. Few centuries back, some religious groups in China believed that Oolong tea carries with itself some potions of immorality. It goes without saying that this belief was inculcated mainly due to its one of kind contribution in the area of health and medication. Till today, Oolong tea is regarded as one of the most accredited health drink that runs parallel with conventional science and its significance remains intact in the annals of medicine.

Five Types of Tea

The are five major categories of tea. White, green, Oolong-style (brown), and black teas come from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis. Herbal teas are made from herbs, spices, fruits, flowers, and bark, and contain no tea leaves. Similar to wine varieties, sometimes the name of a tea indicates the region in which it is grown, which affects it's flavor. Examples of these names would be: Ceylon, Darjeeling, Assam, Lapsang Suchong. Some teas, such as Jasmine, and Earl Gray, are tea leaves with added flavors. Orange Pekoe does not refer to adding orange flavor to the tea, but rather refers to the size of the leaf and it's grade.

Green tea is made from tea leaves which are steamed or pan-fried to prevent fermentation (oxidization). This gives it a delicate flavor. Green tea is very high in anti-oxidants and studies have shown it prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Green teas are particularly characteristic of Japan.

White tea is grown in the Fujian region of Eastern China. White tea contains the white buds of the tea plant, and like green tea it is unfermented and has a delicate flavor. White tea has a very pale color when brewed.

Oolong-style (brown) teas are teas that have been semi-fermented, meaning the leaves are slightly oxidized and turn brown in color.












Black teas are fully fermented tea leaves. Darjeeling, Russian Black Tea, Lapsang Suchong, and English Breakfast, are examples of fully fermented tea. Darjeeling has a mild flavor, and breakfast teas, Russian teas and Lapsang Suchong have a strong taste and are very stimulating.

All teas contain polyphenols, though black teas contain less polyphenols than other varieties. Polyphenols are a type of anti-oxidant that inhibits inflamation and may discourage the effects of aging.

Oolong Tea

Wiping the sweat from his brow whilst tending his drying tea leaves, a farmer spotted a black serpent nearby. Startled and worried, he ran off and did not return for a few days, thus ensuring the serpent was no longer around. Unfortunately, he had left his leaves in the full glare of the Southern Chinese sun and the leaves had changed colour. Out of curiosity, he brewed them and found that they gave a pleasant, sweet and floral flavour. Oolong tea was born.

OK, that is one of the interesting legends that seem to surround the origins of many types of tea and is probably not literally true. Oolong tea seems to date back only to the end of the Ming Dynasty, around 400 years ago. No one really knows for sure. Oolong is a cross between Green and Black teas, it is processed much more than Green but less than black and is oxidised somewhere between 15 and 70 percent. The first stage of the processing is to bruise the leaves so that they can oxidise more readily. Once oxidised to the extent required, the tea leaves are rolled and fired to halt the oxidation process. Those with less oxidation are sometimes referred to as "green Oolongs" whilst ones that are at the top end of the oxidation scale are "brown Oolongs".

The tea therefore is supplied in small balls which expand in the cup to produce their delicate floral aroma and flavour. There are a wide variety of Oolong teas available so if you have tried one, do not think that you know the flavour of Oolong.

In common with all pure, organic Chinese teas, this type is believed to confer health benefits. It has been demonstrated that the polyphenols (anti-oxidant chemicals) that are present in the tea can destroy free radicals. The levels are less than in Green teas but are still significant, which makes Oolong a healthy drink.

This tea is very often used as the basis of slimming (or weight loss) teas. Certainly it is a low calorie alternative to other drinks as it is taken without milk or sugar, but it would need much more research under strictly controlled conditions to determine if it genuinely helps. Checking on forums about the subject, some people swear by it and claim that it has been very successful whilst others say they have noticed no difference. So maybe it just works for some? Whatever the truth, it would need to used as part of a diet and exercise programme rather than as a silver bullet that solves obesity.

Getting hold of this tea can sometimes be problematical; very few tea shops will offer it, unless they are high-class and sell gourmet teas. Buying it in health shops is not always possible, they tend to stock green teas and mainly teas in tea bags, which are too highly processed to retain the flavour and goodness. However, if you are willing to buy via the internet, there are plenty of retailers. But beware, not all are equal. To have the best experience of Oolong tea, avoid tea bags, avoid the cheap ones. Choose pure, organic loose varieties - these are more expensive but will give you the best flavour and aroma.

Taiwan Tea

The environment of Taiwan is ideal for growing tea. Many of tea varietals grown in Taiwan came from China just like ancestors of most Taiwan residents have. Some varietals adjust well and turn out to be popular and others gradually disappear. In the following article, I will briefly describe some of usual tea varietals in Taiwan.

Qingxin Oolong varietal Qingxin Oolong is the most wide spreading and oldest varietal in the tea history of Taiwan. Depending on locations of tea plantations, Qingxin Oolong varietal grow differently. In the low altitude tea plantations, the tea leaves are thinner. In contrast, the tea leaves are thicker when planted in higher altitudes.

Qingxin Oolong tea trees are relatively weak and less productive. The varietal is mostly hand picked instead of machines due to potential damaging effects from machines. Teas made of Qingxin Oolong come with unique varietal fragrance enjoyed by numerous tea drinkers. Popularity makes the teas more expensive than other teas varietals.

Jinxuan varietal (Milk Oolong varietal) Jinxuan varietal is also known as Taiwan Tea # 12 among Taiwan local tea lovers. It is a new varietal developed by tea researchers in Taiwan around 1985. The varietal is mostly grown at tea plantations located below 1600 meters above sea level.

Jinxuan tea trees are productive and solid. Most of the jinxuan varietals which are planted at high altitude mountain areas are hand-picked to produce first grade milk oolong tea. The varietal is also perfect to be harvested by machines without being damaged. It can be used to produce a variety of teas including Pouching tea, Baihao Oolong tea, Tikuanyin tea and Jinxuan oolong tea.
Cuiyu varietal (Jade Oolong varietal) Similar to Jinxuan tea, Cuiyu varietal is a new varietal developed by tea researchers in Taiwan. Both varietals were announced around 1985. It is also known as Taiwan Tea # 13. Cuiyu varietal is mostly found at low altitude tea plantations.

Cuiyu varietal is similar to Jinxuan in terms of productivity and solidness. These varietals are perfect for machine harvesting. Jade oolong tea is oolong tea made with Cuiyu varietal. The tea gives off a jasmine fragrance with rich flavor.

Sijichun varietal (Four Season Oolong varietal) Sijichun is a new varietal that appeared in the Taiwan tea market around 1990. Unlike Jinxuan and Cuiyu, the varietal was accidentally found on a tea plantation by local tea farmers in Muzha. Sijichun in Chinese means evergreen, which reflects the characteristic of the varietal solid, fast growing and productive. Mingjian tea region in Taiwan is currently the largest region that grows this type of tea leaves.

Tikuanyin varietal Tikuanyin varietal adjusts poorly to new environments and grows slowly. Muzha and Shimen are two major regions that grow tikuanyin varietals in Taiwan.

The process of making tikuanyin tea is much more complicated and takes longer than making others. Tikuanyin tea can be made with varientals like jinxuan and tikuanyins. However, only the tea that is made with tikuanyins varietal entitles zhengcong tikuanyin.

Baimaohou varietal Baimaohou literally means “white fur monkey” in Chinese. The Oriental Beauty oolong tea made from this varietal has a dense amount of white buds on it; hence the meaning white fur monkey. Baimaohou varietal is extremely limited in quantity causing tea from the varietal to be very rare and expensive.

Damanzhong varietal Damanzhong literally means “extremely slow” in Chinese. It is not difficult to guess that the varietal actually grows incredibly slow as its Chinese name reflects. Similar to baimaohou, Oriental Beauty oolong tea made from the varietal also carries a great amount of white buds. This varietal is mainly dedicated to producing first grade Oriental Beauty oolong.

Taiwan Oolong Tea

High Mountain Oolong Tea Oolong tea is referred to as semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form produced from Qingxin Oolong varietals. Tea plantations located in The Central Mountains of Taiwan are major areas of production for the world famous oolong tea. Oolong tea gives off a strong unique varietal fragrance and tastes rich, smooth and is enjoyable. In addition, it carries a strong pleasant aftertaste.

The majority of first grade Taiwan high mountain teas are oolong teas. This is especially true for teas made from tea plantations located 1600 meter above sea level. Some of the most well known high mountain oolong teas harvested from the higher altitudes include Dayuling oolong tea, Li Shan oolong tea, Shanlinxi oolong tea, Alishan oolong tea and Wuling oolong tea.

Dayuling oolong tea mostly comes from tea plantations located between 2300 and 2600 meter above sea level. The plantations are located at one of the highest tea regions in Taiwan or arguably in the world. The unique tea growing environment allows Dayuling oolong tea to be rich and smooth in taste and is predominantly one of the finest oolong teas in Taiwan. Li Shan oolong tea is harvested from plantations between 2000 and 2400 meter above sea level. This tea growing environment also makes Li Shan oolong tea a first grade tea. Alishan oolong tea comes from plantations 1200 meter above sea level. It is one of the most famous oolong teas in Taiwan. Alishan oolong is extremely popular especially among foreign tourists from mainland China.

Milk Oolong Tea (Jinxuan Oolong)
Milk Oolong tea refers to semi oxidized tea with ball-like form made from Jinxuan varietals. It comes with a unique delightful creamy fragrance and light refreshing milky taste. In addition, it leaves a satisfying milky aftertaste. The tea is highly recommended to be a great initiation to quality Taiwan Oolong teas.

Milk Oolong tea is produced from both high and low altitude tea plantations. High altitude milk oolong has a richer and smoother taste, but the low altitude allows the tea to be fresher and more economic. Milk oolong is particularly popular among female local tea drinkers in Taiwan and it is definitely a great choice for everyday tea drinking.

Four Season Oolong Tea (Sijichuan Oolong)
Four Season oolong tea refers to semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form made from Sijichun varietal. It carries a smooth, floral and mild taste without any bitterness or dryness. The tea is highly recommended to be a great initiation to Taiwan tea.

Most of Four Season oolong tea comes from low altitude,1000 meter below sea level, tea plantations. The tea is fresh, tasty, economic and available in large quantities. All of these characterisitcs make the tea a great candidate to be an everyday tea to enjoy with friends and family. In fact, it is one of the best selling teas in Taiwan. The Mingjian tea region is where the majority of the production of the fresh Four Season oolong tea occurs.

Jade Oolong Tea (Cuiyu Oolong)
Jade oolong tea refers to semi oxidized tea resembling a ball-like form made from Cuiyu varietals. It gives off a jasmine fragrance and tastes refreshing, mild and smooth. In addition, the tea leaves a sweet pleasant aftertaste. Jade oolong tea is highly recommended to be a great initiation to Taiwan teas.

Similar to Four Season oolong tea, the majority of Jade oolong tea is produced from low altitudes tea plantations, 1000 meter below sea level. The tea is fresh, tasty, economic and available in large quantities. It is highly recommended to be a perfect everyday tea. Jade oolong tea is one of top and best sellers among Taiwan teas.

Pouchong Tea
Pouchong tea is slightly oxidized and mostly produced in the Pinglin Township near Taipei, Taiwan. It is processed and rolled into stick-like form in contrast to oolong tea which appears in ball-like form. Pouchong is a popular and excellent choice of quality Taiwan Oolong teas. It gives off a floral fragrance and tastes rich, mild, smooth and pleasant. In addition, the tea carries a great reputation for its strong pleasant aftertaste.

Pouchong tea is known as wenshan pouching tea among locals in Taiwan. Wenshan tea region has been one of the most important tea regions for over a hundred years and it is still a popular and major tea producing region.

Wenshan pouching tea is prepared by strictly following old fashioned tea processing methods. Local tea farmers make sure every step of the tea processing is fully completed before moving on to the next step to ensure that the tea produced can be at its highest quality.

Wenshan pouching tea is old-fashioned in almost every aspect even when it comes to pricing. On the rest of tea regions in Taiwan, tea is sold mostly according to place of origin, season, and reputation of the tea. There is no doubt that these three can almost guarantee that the tea has to reach a certain level of quality. However, taste affects just slightly on its price. If the tea harvest came from a bad season of weather, customers may still have to pay the same price to enjoy the tea; simply because the tea is produced from a region with an excellent reputation. In contrast, wenshan pouching tea is mainly sold according to its taste and quality. You may see wenshan pouching teas coming from the identical place of origin and seasons are sold at different prices. Sometimes ten times the difference!

Many tea varietals are produced in the Wenshan region, such as Qingxin Oolong, Jinxuan, Sijichun and Tikunayin. After years of tea production experiences, local tea farmers realized that Qingxin Oolong is by far the best to make first grade pouching tea due to its unique fragrances. Qingxin Oolong has now become the most popular candidate in producing pouching tea.

When the attention is placed on oolong tea, do not overlook the pouching tea as well. The fragrances are preserved which allows the local tea farmers to enjoy the old fashioned methods of producing this type of tea. Give it a try for yourself and you will understand why pouching tea is popular among the locals in Taiwan!

Oolong Tea’s Benefits

Oolong tea has a long and rich history that includes being one of the plants that were grown and prized by ancient Chinese emperors and today is prized for its many known health benefits around the world. The history of the plant that is botanically known as Camellia sinensis has been used throughout history for good health, healing and averting illness. These tea leaves generally originate from the Fuijan Province of China or the mountains of Taiwan and can also be referred to as Wu-Long tea. There is some evidence that the tea leaves from this region have a history of at least four hundred years; arriving toward the end of the Ming Dynasty.

This tea now known for ensuring many different health benefits can be found as straight oolong tea or with other enhancements such as jasmine, orange blossoms and others.

The process of manufacturing the tea is done with utmost care and in a fashion that has transcended the ages; from the time it is picked until the time it is packaged it undergoes a careful hand process. After the leaves are picked they are laid out to dry for a short amount of time where the oxidation process begins. Then the leaves are placed in baskets and shaken in order to bruise them. This exposes the juice of the leaves to the air whereby the oxidation process continues after which the leaves are laid out to dry for a second time. This process will oxidize the leaves from 20-80%, depending on the type of final product desired. The leaves will then be fired to halt the oxidation. Then they are sometimes rolled while still freshly roasted and fired several more times. As a way of finishing the process the leaves are completely cooled and then fired a final time to give the oolong tea the special flavor while reserving the healthful properties of the leaves.

Tea of all types have been under the microscope of late, and oolong tea has been studied and found to have numerous antioxidants, vitamins and minerals along with polyphenols, which all fit into a healthful regiment. Polyphenols that are found in oolong tea have the ability to remove free radicals, which are known for prematurely aging the skin along with causing the dark spots associated with aging. Free radicals have also been associated with hindering the immune system.

Oolong tea is also known for enhancing the function of enzymes, which in turn are known to dissolve triglycerides. These are the fatty deposits in the body and therefore it can aid in a weight loss regiment. There have been clinical trials done and it was found that this type of tea can raise the metabolic rate, which speeds up fat oxidation and the catechin polyphenols raise the rate that calories are burned in the body. This in turn means that oolong tea has the compounds in it to aid directly in weight loss. It is also an aid in reducing blood pressure that will in turn help to prevent hypertension; this is because of its ability to use the fatty deposits in the body as fuel for energy.
There is also possible evidence that along with the caffeine there is also an increase in stamina, which can help in an exercise regimen. Caffeine is also known to stimulate the frontal cortex of the brain; this helps in memory function and enhances the thought process.

There are other health benefits that have long been believed by Chinese herbalists such as the properties in oolong tea to reduce tooth decay and to aid in speeding oral healing because of tannic acid that is present in the tea. They also believe oolong tea assists in aiding the kidneys, as well as improving the utilization of glucose, which in turn aids the regulation of insulin.

A recent study of Japanese elderly demonstrated that those who consumed two cups of tea per day had a lower chance of cognitive impairment by approximately fifty percent. Other studies have pointed to tea’s positive impact on the onset of Alzheimer’s.

While there is evidence that oolong tea and tea in general can benefit the health of the body there is also the fact that this tea is consumption friendly. Unlike vitamins, pills, health drinks and other health foods and drinks that are supposedly good for promoting health, oolong tea has a taste that is a pleasure to drink – and it is rehydrating, and nourishing.

This is a tea that has the ability to be flavored with different herbs and florals as well as served alone. Alone it can be dark in color with a robust taste that includes a hint of raisin, honeysuckle or almond. It can also be light and floral if only partially oxidized. Flavored oolongs can be found with names and tastes such as ginger peach oolong tea, orange blossom and plum oolong tea and others. Each of these teas has their own unique flavor and some have history behind their name like the Oriental Beauty, which received its name from Queen Elizabeth II. She named the tea after a tea merchant who brought it from Asia. The name is still used today.

The Benefits of Oolong Tea

A tea recently exploited for its weight-loss properties, oolong tea features an old and deep history. It was cultivated and cherished by Chinese emperors thousands of years ago. Today health-conscious individuals are coming around and beginning to cherish in the same way for its health benefits.

The origin of oolong tea is the plant called the Camellia sinensis. It is a Chinese tea plant which produces black tea, green tea and oolong tea. Many people don't realize that these three teas actually come from the same plant. They only differ in the way they are harvested, aged and treated.

Black tea is allowed to oxidize for a good while after it is picked, and this oxidization process increases the caffeine and robustness of the flavor but create a flavor which seems a little distant from its origin plant. Green tea is generally boiled or treated right after being picked, so there is very little oxidization and the tea retains the plant's color and flavor.

Oolong tea is sort of in between green and black teas. The Camellia sinensis leaves are picked, sun-wilted then lightly bruised in a deliberate fashion. When they are bruised, it opens the leaf surface to the air's oxygen. This causes the internal parts of the leaf oxidize much like a cut fruit will oxidize (like the way an apple's insides slowly turn brown when exposed to oxygen).

But the oxidization process is halted much more quickly than with black tea, retaining more of the floral flavor of the original plant. The leaves are then fully dried.

Oolong teas can range from darker teas closer to black teas to light green teas closer to green teas. Thus an oolong tea can vary much more than a green tea or black tea.

Oolong teas are full of anti-oxidants. This is one of the main reasons people believe oolong teas help preserve good health. Anti-oxidants help your body fight free radicals. Free radicals are by-products of our body's digestive system which contain oxygen. These free radicals can do damage to our DNA and our cells. So eating a diet high in anti-oxidants assists our body to preserve its health and lighten the load on the aging process.

You'll see the terms wulong tea oolong tea used interchangeably. Wulong tea is the original Chinese name for this tea, but in recent years it has been adapted as the name used for oolong tea when used for weight loss.

Other Type of Tea

Herbal teas
Herbal teas produced from flowers, bark and seeds. Since do not contain the plant Camellia sinensis, in its composition do not have caffeine. This makes them a suitable drink for children and adults at any time of day. During preparations, herbal tea should be allowed longer to hot water, and filtering after ten minutes.


Fruit teas
Fruit teas produced from flowers, seeds, bark and various fruits. Since newspapers do not contain the plant Camellia sinensis, in their composition is not caffeine. This makes them a suitable drink for children and adults at any time of day. During preparations, fruit tea should be allowed longer to hot water, and filtering after ten minutes. Can you drink and completely cold.


Oolong tea
Somewhere halfway between red and green is Oolong tea. This half fermenting tea is produced mainly in China and Taiwan. Tea leaves should not be too young or too old, and immediately after pick exhibited direct sunlight and allow it to fade. So tender leaves shaking in bamboo baskets while their peaks do not shoot. After that, the tea is drought in the shade. Process shaking repeatedly and drying is repeated several times, whereby contusion margins of leaves due to fermentation become red, while the central part of leaves remain green. The procedure is repeated until you fermenting 20% of list, the so-called green Oolong, or 60%, for classic Oolong tea. When you reached the desired level of fermentation, the process is immediately stopped annealing sheets at high temperature. Due to the positive effect on metabolism, this type of tea is known as "aromatic killer fat".

Classification of Tea

Tea can be classified into three types:
1. Green tea
2. Oolong tea
3. Black tea

Green tea is produced by inactivating polyfenol oxidation enzyme from fresh tea leaves. This inactivation method can be done by heating and evaporating.

Oolong tea is produced by heating the leaves in the short time after rolling the leaves. Oxidation process stopped when heating process occurs. Oolong tea also called as semi-fermentation tea, and the characteristics are between green tea and black tea.

Black tea is produced by oxidizing the catechin from fresh tea leaves using polyfenol oxidation catalyst. This process also called as fermentation. During fermentation process, the catechin is transformed to be more complex and concentrated molecules.

The main difference among green tea, oolong tea, and black tea is the content of catechin. The highest content of catechin is in green tea, with 16% - 30% of catechin. The lowest content of catechin is in black tea.