Everything About Oolong Teas
Everyone knows about black tea and green tea, but there is one kind of drink that hits the sweet spot. It’s Oolong tea. This type of tea distinguishes itself from Black, White, and Green teas because of its unique processing method.
What Is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea, also known as Wulong or Wuyi tea, merges the best traits of black tea and green tea. The tea is derived from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis. The meaning of Oolong tea gets lost in translation from Chinese to English. Wu-long promotes a feeling of antiquity and secrecy, while Oolong sounds less localized and more international. At its core, Oolong tea has many health benefits that include weight loss and protection from cancer.
What Makes Oolong Tea Magical?
The flavor of oolong tea depends on the processing techniques employed by the tea artisan. Its character ranges from full bodies to light, sweet to toasty, and floral to grassy. Experts often compare the differences between the flavors and types to the differences between fine wines.
The flavor profile for oolong tea is not easy to generalize. Since oolong tea is partially oxidized, its oxidation levels can range from green tea to black tea. There is a high variation in its range of flavors.
The dark, luscious, and deep browns of mahogany and leathery texture invite you to take the first sip. The smallest sip of oolong tea can bring in pleasurable and intense sensations to the mind and mouth. The notes of caramel, fruit, and toffee bring incredible satisfaction to the drinker, and it just can’t be beaten.
How to Make Oolong Tea?
There is a diverse range of flavors of oolong tea. These depend primarily on the extent of oxidation of the tea leaves. Make sure you try them all out to see which one is best. You can brew oolong tea using sophisticated traditional Chinese methods or the easy-to-brew Western method. Each technique brings its unique benefits to the cup, with the Chinese offering a full-bodied and complete tea drinking experience for connoisseurs to enjoy.
The western method is friendlier for the new tea connoisseur who wishes to quickly brew their cup and get back to other activities of the day.
Among the Chinese, the two popular methods involve a Yixing teapot or a Gaiwan. A Yixing teapot is designed specifically for brewing oolong teas; this is because it absorbs the tea with each steeping, allowing one to brew a batch of oolong tea with rich flavor profiles. In contrast, Gaiwan is a lidded bowl that was developed by the Ming dynasty.
It has a large opening, like a saucepan, allowing tea drinkers to observe the visual magic unfold as oolong tea brews. To use the Gaiwan teapot properly, place your fingers underneath the bowl and the thumb resting on the top of the saucer.
The western method requires no prerequisites. Use any teapot you have on hand for a more straightforward approach. You won’t unlock the full flavor profile of oolong teas, but you will enjoy it when you’re in a hurry.
What Is the Difference between Oolong Tea and Black Tea?
Both types of tea are fundamentally different from each other. Oolong tea has undergone varying levels of oxidation, depending on the tea artisan. Partial oxidation between 25 and 75% are conventional among oolong teas. The leaves are allowed to oxidize in a carefully controlled environment partially. A roasting step may be involved in some cases.
Black tea is completely oxidized. In undergoes, additional processing that includes withering frying, fermenting, baking, roasting, and shaping.
Which Tea Is the Best: Green, Oolong, or Black?
While the taste depends on the individual tea connoisseur, the flavor profile for oolong teas is the most complex owing to partial fermentation and an additional bruising step that released several flavors. Oolong teas may have smoky or buttery tastes to them. Green teas, being the least oxidized, tend to have more sweet, earthy, and vegetal flavors.
Black tea possesses the least amount of antioxidants and the highest levels of caffeine. As a result, the flavor is bold, distinct taste.
Does Oolong Tea Reduce Weight?
Japanese researchers found that oolong tea can increase metabolism by 20 percent for two hours. Oolong tea reduces the body’s absorption of dietary fat and helps in problem areas such as the belly (which is fat due to stress gets stored). It’s always a good idea to drink oolong tea alongside a high-fat meal as this will increase your metabolism and result in less absorption of fat.
Why Should Oolong Tea Be a Part of My Daily Regimen?
Oolong tea has massive reservoirs of polyphenols that boost weight-loss boosting microbes while decreasing weight-gain microbes. Maintaining a healthy rate between the two has something to do with the way our body stores fat and metabolizes. Besides, oolong tea has therapeutic compounds called catechins; these have been known to play a role in increasing the number of beneficial gut microbes.
Studies have shown that oolong tea can increase insulin sensitivity, which is responsible for balanced blood sugar levels and healthy sugar metabolism. Oolong tea improves symptoms of PCOS. It’s the easiest way to jumpstart your health.
Here is a compiled list of frequently asked questions about Oolong teas
Can I Drink Oolong Tea Before Bed?
Yes, oolong tea can help you relax and prepare your body for its sleep cycle. It also helps your body repair and rejuvenates.
Can I Mix Oolong Tea and Green Tea?
You can combine teas, but each tea type will have its brewing requirements.
Can I Add Milk to Oolong Tea?
Adding milk is a personal choice; this might turn unpalatable, for many tea drinkers. There are certain flavors of oolong tea that can benefit when taken with milk.
Can I Drink Oolong Tea on an Empty Stomach?
It’s not a good idea to drink oolong tea on an empty stomach (this extends to most types of teas). The reason is that it will stimulate the tummy too much and lead to headaches, hunger, and even vomiting.
Can I Drink Oolong Tea During Pregnancy?
Try avoiding foods and beverages that contain caffeine; this also applies to oolong tea.
Can I Drink Oolong Tea While Breastfeeding?
If you are breastfeeding, make sure to limit your oolong tea intake to about 200 mg. High caffeine can cause irritability in infants.
Where Can I Buy Authentic Oolong Tea in India?
Many online stores promise to sell high-quality oolong tea, but closer inspection reveals low-quality leaves at best. Buy your perfect cup of tea with confidence. At Golden Tips Tea, we offer you the best and high quality oolong tea selection at affordable prices. It’s the perfect place to start collecting tea and become an established tea connoisseur.
