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?

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.

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.

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.