Why do you want to start drinking oolong tea?
Is it to gain some health benefits? Yes, oolong tea has many health benefits, including beauty and anti-aging effects, weight loss, dental caries prevention, and improved cardiovascular health.
Are you attracted by the taste and aroma of oolong tea? Yes, overall, oolong tea may be the most delicious among the six major types of tea.
But when you want to start, you find it a bit overwhelming. This is not your fault; oolong tea is indeed quite complex in the realm of Chinese tea. However, there are still some methods to help beginners better start trying loose leaf oolong tea. Beginners should focus on two main aspects: the degree of oxidation and the production area.
Here's a list suitable for beginners to try:
Lightly oxidized, representative tea from southern Fujian
>Jin Xuan Oolong
Lightly oxidized, representative tea from Taiwan
>Fenghuang Dancong
Moderately oxidized, representative tea from Guangdong
Highly oxidized, representative tea from northern Fujian
The following will explain why these loose leaf tea are suitable for beginners to start exploring oolong tea.
Why is understanding the oxidation level of oolong tea important?
The oxidation level of oolong tea varies widely, ranging from around 15% to 70%. It's like a long ruler, with one end labeled with 15% oxidation and the other end labeled with 70% oxidation.
If you happen to stand on the wrong end of the ruler, you'll find that the oolong tea you're drinking doesn't suit your taste. This can be quite frustrating for beginners. Beginners might think that oolong tea is not the type of tea they are looking for, thus missing out on this rich category of tea.
In reality, many classic oolong teas are considered some of the best loose leaf tea, and missing out would be regrettable.
Let's briefly understand the characteristics of oolong teas with different oxidation levels:
>Oolong tea with around 15% oxidation level is closer to loose leaf green tea in characteristics. This type of oolong tea has a fresher and more refreshing taste. The tea liquor is apricot-yellow or slightly yellowish-green.
>Oolong tea with around 40% oxidation level falls between green tea and black tea in characteristics. This type of oolong tea has its fresh side while also offering a rich taste. The tea liquor is generally orange-yellow.
>Oolong tea with around 70% oxidation level is often mistaken for black tea. This type of oolong tea has a noticeably rich taste and is high in sweetness. The tea liquor is also more reddish.
Some tea enthusiasts may love highly oxidized oolong teas but cannot tolerate lightly oxidized ones. This situation is not uncommon.
Before purchasing and trying oolong tea, beginners should consider whether they prefer a fresh taste or a rich taste. This will help them find the best oolong tea that suits their preferences.
Understanding the production areas of oolong tea? Start with their classic teas.
Delving into the details of oolong teas from each production area can be quite complex.
You may need to understand which oolong teas are famous in each region, the characteristics of their production processes, and what aesthetics are valued in their tea leaves. Feeling overwhelmed already? Let's put aside this line of thought for now.
While each production area has many types of oolong teas, oolong teas from the same region share similarities in tea tree varieties and processing techniques.
It's like siblings from the same family; although they have different personalities, they all have characteristics that belong to their family. At this point, choosing the most typical sibling from this family to understand what their brothers and sisters are like shouldn't be too hard to imagine.
|
Production area |
Northern Fujian |
Southern Fujian |
Guangdong |
Taiwan |
|
Characteristics |
· Mainly characterized by rich floral and fruity aroma, with noticeable roasted fragrance. · Known for their "rock charm" (Yanyun). |
· Primarily dominated by refreshing and uplifting floral fragrances. · Sweet and brisk taste. |
· Predominant floral and nectar aroma, long-lasting fragrance. · Notable for their "mountain charm" (Shanyun). |
· Mainly featuring a clear and fresh floral aroma, often with hints of milk fragrance · Sweet and refreshing taste. |
|
|
Da Hong Pao |
TieGuanyin |
Jin Xuan Oolong |
These recommended oolong teas are not only suitable for beginners to try but also make excellent choices as tea gift sets for family and friends.
Here are some oolong tea tips for beginners:
Use the Gongfu tea brewing method for multiple infusions
Oolong tea requires an appropriate brewing method to fully bring out its flavor. It is recommended to use the Gongfu tea brewing method for oolong tea.
The Gongfu tea brewing method involves using a small amount of water (about 150 milliliters) and a specific amount of tea leaves (about 5 grams) for each infusion, with a short brewing time (about ten to fifteen seconds).
High-quality oolong tea can be infused up to 7 times or even more. You can use a loose leaf tea sampler to explore different types of oolong teas and their brewing characteristics.
During multiple infusions, the oolong tea leaves gradually unfurl, releasing their flavor fully. The taste of the tea liquor you experience is not fixed but undergoes subtle changes. This offers a rich and interesting experience that bagged teas cannot provide.
Find more loose leaf oolong tea with our Oolong Tea Sampler.>>>
Drink the same oolong tea continuously for a few days
Compared to many common beverages like coffee or fruit juice, oolong tea has a much milder taste profile.
If you're used to strong flavors, you might not immediately appreciate the taste of oolong tea when you first start drinking it.
However, when you drink the same oolong tea continuously for a few days and your taste buds become accustomed to its mild flavor, you'll start to notice its rich layers, which are worth savoring. Congratulations, at this point, you've already experienced some of the beauty of oolong tea.
Find more Chinese loose leaf tea with our Chinese Tea Sampler.>>>
Be cautious with caffeine
While the caffeine content in a cup of oolong tea is lower than that in a cup of coffee, it's still significant and should not be overlooked.
If you're sensitive to caffeine, remember not to drink oolong tea before bedtime. Insomnia that follows can greatly affect your experience of trying oolong tea.
Different oolong teas also vary in their caffeine content, which you can explore and experience using a tea sampler.
By now, you probably have some ideas on how to start trying oolong tea.
The beauty and richness of oolong tea require careful savoring. Once you've mastered some tips and tricks, you'll find this journey unfolding more smoothly and becoming more enjoyable.
