Buying Guide-Processing Techniques

The Art of Roasting Oolong Tea

Roasting oolong tea serves three key purposes: reducing moisture, removing any off-flavors, and lowering caffeine content, all while enhancing the tea's aroma and flavor.Teas with different oxidation levels need different roasting levels. Usually, lightly oxidized teas are lightly roasted to enhance their flavor. If a tea is lightly oxidized but heavily roasted, it can taste too smoky, often because the oxidation wasn’t done properly and the roasting is used to cover it up.
The level of roasting significantly impacts the tea’s aroma and taste. Light roasting preserves the fresh, floral fragrance, while heavy roasting creates a richer, smoother brew with toasty or smoky undertones.

This tea features Wuyi Rougui oolong from the renowned Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, crafted by the same tea master. The only difference lies in the roasting level, offering you an excellent opportunity to explore how roasting shapes the flavors of oolong tea.

Origin：Jingshui Village, Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China

Master Blender：Chen Hui

Processing Time：November 2024

Best Before Date：24 months

 Tea Variety：Wuyi Cinnamon

Altitude：about 400 meters

Soil Type：gravelly soil

Oxidation Level：Oxidization 45-55%

Roasting Level：Single Roast: Light roast, 90-100°C (194-212°F)
Triple Roast: Medium roast, 105-115°C (221-239°F)
Triple Roast (Full Fire): Heavy roast, 120-130°C (248-266°F)

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：

Light cinnamon: electric roasting 20g
Medium fire cinnamon: charcoal briquetting 20g
Full Flame Cinnamon: charcoal briquetting 20g

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
Steep Time: 10-15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
Water Temp: 190-200°F (88-93°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
Steep Time: 3-5 minutes
Re-Steep: Up to 3 times, adding 1-2 minutes each time

A Journey of Fire and Technology
"For centuries, Chinese oolong tea masters have debated: the slow dance of charcoal fire or the precision of electric heat? This kit invites you to explore two roasting philosophies through Phoenix Dancong and Wuyi Rock Tea – one shaped by ancestral wisdom, the other refined by technology."

Product Contains:
Charcoal-Roasted Wuyi Rougui* 20 g
Electric-Roasted Wuyi Rougui* 20 g
Charcoal-Roasted Mi Lan Xiang Dancong* 20 g
Electric-Roasted Mi Lan Xiang Dancong* 20 g

Product Information (Wuyi Rougui)
Type: Semi-Rock (Ban Yan)
Origin: Jingshui Village, Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China
Altitude: 400m
Producer: Chen Hui
Processing Timeline: Maocha: April 2024; Initial Roasting: August 2024; Final Roasting: November 2024

Product Information (Mi Lan Xiang Dancong)
Origin: Fengxi Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
Altitude: 600–800m
Tree Age: ~30 years
Producer: Lin Zhiqiang
Processing Timeline: Maocha: April 2024; Initial Roasting: August 2024; Final Roasting: November 2024

Charcoal Roasting: The Art of Traditional Oolong
Charcoal roasting is the soul of traditional oolong tea. Using slow, low heat from wood like longan or lychee, it transforms the leaves, creating a rich flavor profile with caramel sweetness, mineral notes, and a smoky depth.
This method is perfect for Wuyi Rock Tea and Phoenix Dancong, turning grassy flavors into smooth, complex profiles and bringing out caramel and fruit-like sweetness.
Compared to modern electric roasting, charcoal roasting offers:
Better texture — glossy dark brown leaves vs. greenish-brown
Richer aromas — smoky and natural tea fragrances vs. a single roasted flavor
More infusions — over 8 brews vs. 5
Longer shelf life — improves over 5+ years vs. needing to be consumed within the year
Despite challenges like higher carbon emissions, charcoal roasting is essential for high-end oolong, much like oak barrels for fine wine. It elevates tea from "fresh leaves" to a living, evolving art.

Electric Roasting: The Modern Approach to Oolong Tea
Electric roasting is a key technique in modern oolong tea production, offering significant advantages in efficiency and consistency. Using electric heating elements, the temperature is precisely controlled between 70-130°C, with roasting time typically ranging from 2-5 hours. This process improves production speed compared to traditional charcoal roasting.
One of the standout features of electric roasting is its digital temperature control, maintaining a stable temperature within ±5°C. This eliminates the uneven heat fluctuations common in charcoal roasting, making it ideal for light-fermented oolongs that preserve fresh floral and fruity aromas.
In terms of flavor, electric-roasted teas shine with vibrant floral notes and a refreshing taste. The tea is clear and bright in color. While it lacks the rich depth of charcoal-roasted teas, it meets the demand for light, refreshing tea that modern consumers crave.

How to Brew?
Teaware: Yixing teapot (preferably zhuni clay) or thick-walled gaiwan
Water Quality: Spring water or soft water (hardness < 50 mg/L)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 5g tea / 100ml water
Water Temperature: 100°C (boiling)
Rinse: Quick rinse with boiling water (under 5 seconds); discard the first infusion
Steeping Times:
Infusions 1–3: 15 seconds each
Infusions 4–10: Mi Lan Xiang: increase by 5 seconds per infusion
Wuyi Rougui: increase by 5–10 seconds per infusion

Oolong Tea: The Balance of Oxidation

Oolong tea is a partially oxidized tea, with oxidation levels ranging from 10% to 70%. Oxidation plays a key role in shaping the tea's aroma and the brightness of its flavor. Light oxidation creates fresh floral and fruity notes, while higher oxidation brings out richer, more mature fruit or honey-like aromas.

Lightly Oxidized Oolong (10%–25%): Examples like Wen Shan Baozhong and light-roast Tieguanyin showcase fresh floral and fruity scents.
Moderately Oxidized Oolong (25%–50%): Teas such as Phoenix Dan Cong and medium-roast Tieguanyin have a balanced profile, combining floral notes with hints of honey, fruit, or roasting, resulting in a complex aroma.
Heavily Oxidized Oolong (50%–70%): Classics like Da Hong Pao, Wuyi Rougui, and Oriental Beauty deliver mature fruit aromas, roasted or caramel-like notes, and a smooth, full-bodied brew.
This product includes four renowned oolong teas, all lightly roasted but with varying oxidation levels. It’s the perfect way to explore how different oxidation levels influence the flavor and aroma of oolong tea.

Products Included:

• Fresh Tieguanyin (Light Oxidation) 20g
• Zhangping Shuixian Oolong Tea (Medium-Light Oxidation) 20g
• Minnan Shuixian (Medium Oxidation) 20g
• Oriental Beauty (Heavy Oxidation) 20g

Origin：

• Fresh Tieguanyin: Longjuan Village, Longjuan Township, Anxi County, Fujian Province, China
• Zhangping Shuixian:Beiliao Village, Nanyang Town, Zhangping City, Fujian Province, China
• Minnan Shuixian:Wuxi Village, Wufeng Town, Yongchun County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
• Oriental Beauty:Neiyang Village, Pingshan Township, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China

Master Blender：

• Fresh Tieguanyin: Chen Qizhi
• Zhangping Shuixian:He Meiqing
• Minnan Shuixian:Xu Yongyuan
• Oriental Beauty:Li Jianmin

Processing Time：

• Fresh Tieguanyin: November 2024
• Zhangping Shuixian:June 2024
• Minnan Shuixian:December 2024
• Oriental Beauty:early June 2024

Best Before Date：24months

Tea Variety：

• Tieguanyin: Tieguanyin Varieties
• Zhangping Shui Xian: Minnan Shuixian Varieties
• Minnan Shuixian: Jianyang Shui Xian Varieties
• Oriental Beauty: Jin Xuan variety

Altitude：

• Tieguanyin: 800-900 meters
• Zhangping Shui Xian: 400-500 meters
  
• Minnan Shuixian:900-1000 meters
• Oriental Beauty:1100 meters
  

Soil Type： 

• Tieguanyin: red soil
• Zhangping Shui Xian: yellow and red soil
  
• Minnan Shuixian: red soil
• Oriental Beauty:Red soil

Oxidation Level：

• Tieguanyin: Light oxidation (10-20%)
• Zhangping Shui Xian:  Mild-light oxidation (25-30%)
  
• Minnan Shuixian:  Medium oxidation (40-50%)
• Oriental Beauty:Heavy oxidation (60-70%)

Roasting Level：

• Very light roast, 70-80°C (158-176°F)

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：

• electric roasting

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
Steep Time: 10-15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
Water Temp: 90-100°C (194-212°F)

Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
Steep Time: 3-5 minutes
Re-Steep: Up to 3 times, adding 1-2 minutes each time