Oolong tea and its varieties has been a mystery to all because of the marketing hype that tea sellers have put into advertising it. Let us take a look into this so called mysterious tea.

Origin of the Oolong Tea

The tea is said to have originated in Fujian, China around 400 years ago. It was grown and produced around the end of the Ming Dynasty in Mt. Wu Yi Shan, a mountain range in Fujian Province. As all other teas, Oolong came from the same plant, the Camellia Sinensis, but its tree produces different kinds of leaves and buds which is why there are also a lot of varieties of this tea. The Oolong leaves are long and dark in color and they look like black dragons, from which its name originated, oolong means black dragon in Chinese.

Varieties of Oolong

Because of its popularity, some varieties of Oolong tea (also known as Wu long) are now being grown in Taiwan and Japan. In China alone, there are several varieties or blends of Oolong such as:

–          Wu Yi Tea

–          Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe)

–          Song Zhong Dan Cong (Song Species Lone Bush)

–          Feng Huang – Shui Xian (Water Fairy)

–          Yong Chun – Fo Shou (Buddha’s Hand)

–          An Xi – Tie Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) 

There are also some varieties of oolong tea from Africa, Thailand and Vietnam aside from the several varieties from Taiwan. 

Process of Making Oolong Tea 

The process of making this tea is backed by age-old traditions and exceptional expertise and production is done in several stages. 

• First stage: the tea leaves are selected and picked in the early morning composing of one bud and three leaves per unit. They are then placed outdoors under the sun.
• Second stage: the tea leaves and buds are brought indoors to start fermentation.  The tea is semi-fermented in which case fermentation has to be stopped at some point and this is very crucial. Knowing when the oxidation process should be stopped will depend on expertise and experience and when the leaves are about 70% green and 30% red. When oxidation has been stopped it is then time to generate the unique qualities of oolong through rubbing the tea leaves together to bring out its unique aroma, flavor and texture. The final step for the second stage is charcoal drying the tea leaves.
• Final stage: the semi-fermented and charcoal dried tea leaves are graded by tea masters who will determine the grade of the batches of tea depending on the quality of its flavor and characteristics. Oolong has a distinct flavor, both fresh and strong, without the bitterness often associated with tea.

The Art of Drinking Oolong Tea

Through the centuries, the tea’s distinct and unique flavor and aroma has been highly valued and because of this an art of drinking the tea was developed by the ancient Chinese and it is still being practiced to this day.    To enjoy drinking Oolong tea, it should be brewed and drank using a tiny teapot and teacup. The art is still being used by the Chinese in preparing and drinking their Oolong. However, in the modern setting, there is no need for elaborate preparations because there are already canned and bottled Oolong which can be enjoyed as soon as you open the can or uncap the bottle.

Facts about Oolong Tea

Here are generic facts about Oolong Tea and which are also common in all varieties:

–          It is a fat burner and it is a common ingredient in fat loss supplements being sold over the counter

–          Oolong is also called Wu long and that they mean the same thing which is ‘Black Dragon’.

–          Oolong or Wu long was not named as such because of a dragon but it was named after the person who discovered the tea, Wu Liang.

–          Wu Yi, a variety of Oolong, was named after the Fujian mountain range where it was grown, Mt. Wuyi

–           The tea undergoes an intricate production process that it is more complicated to produce than Green tea or Black tea.

–         It contains a potent amount of polyphenols, a substance that activates enzymes to block and dissolve fatty substances. 

With all these facts and information about Oolong, it is not really something mysterious. Where the mystery lies is in the host of health benefits that a tea drinker gets from this semi-fermented tea. This is what the hype is all about and the only mystery behind Oolong tea is in its health and weight loss properties.