{"id":5726,"date":"2023-07-05T13:35:09","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chasdomundo.pt\/blog\/?p=5726"},"modified":"2023-07-24T11:12:32","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T11:12:32","slug":"what-is-oolong-tea-and-what-are-its-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chasdomundo.pt\/blog\/en\/what-is-oolong-tea-and-what-are-its-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Oolong Tea and what are its benefits?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Oolong Tea, with its distinctive characteristics and rich history<\/strong>, has become exponentially more popular around the world. This semi-oxidised tea offers a wide range of flavours and health benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In this post, we will transport you to Taiwan and take you to learn about this fascinating tea, its origins, benefits, and advantages.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Keep reading to find out more!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Oolong\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What is Oolong Tea<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oolong Tea (w\u016bl\u00f3ng) is one of the most complex Chinese teas,<\/strong> made from the Camellia sinensis <\/em>plant (the same used for all other true teas, such as white, yellow, green, black or pu’erh). Its theine content is generally lower than black tea and similar to green tea<\/strong>. However, each tea is different. In general, you can count on about 20 to 30 mg of theine per cup.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The name \u201cOolong\u201d means \u201cblack dragon\u201d<\/em> in Chinese. It is believed that its name comes from the appearance of the leaves after being processed.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oolong lies between green tea and black tea in terms of oxidation<\/strong>. Depending on the processing method, they will be closer to green teas or black teas. In Chinese culture, semi-oxidised oolong teas are known as q\u012bngch\u00e1 (bluish green tea). Several of its sub-varieties, including those produced in the Wuyi Mountains in the northern part of Fujian Province and the central mountains of Taiwan, are among the most famous Chinese teas.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are many varieties of Oolong, but, being a tea native to China and Taiwan, it is from there that the main varieties and styles arrive. Of these, three distinct styles of Oolong can be highlighted: \u201copen leaf\u201d style, \u201csemi-rolled ball\u201d style and \u201cstrip\u201d style.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What Oolong Tea Tastes Like<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It tastes closer to green tea than black tea<\/strong>, as it does not have the characteristic sweetish flavour of black tea. However, it also lacks the vegetal notes typical of green tea. To get those sweet notes, it needs to be prepared strongly, and it\u2019s from the bitter that you get that aroma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Depending on how it has been processed, it can have highly varied flavours: <\/strong>from floral and fruity to toasted and almond-like. Oolong Tea is typically a journey of flavours and a sensory experience in itself, but each variety also has unique characteristics, such as Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao and Oriental Beauty.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Oolong<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Oolong Tea production<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This tea prioritizes mountainous areas to grow, <\/strong>with high altitudes and rocky or sandy soil. These conditions allow for controlled oxidation and dehydration of the leaves<\/strong>. In Chinese culture, the processes of drying and removing moisture are distinct, although to us, they sound similar. This is because they are never completely dried, and there are different stages of production with different moisture levels.\u00a0 Leaf harvesting focuses on the larger leaves, being richer in aromatic oils.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The tea master will determine the state and stage of the process by smell, <\/strong>which requires a keen and sensitive sense of smell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oolong tea leaves undergo a two-day osmosis process<\/strong> to release the enzymes required for oxidation. The oxidation time is relatively short, less than for black tea, and is not intended to be complete. To avoid too much oxidation, Oolong tea is heated before being dried. After oxidation, the leaves are rolled and dried.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Its leaves can be rolled into long curved sheets \u2013 the oldest method of processing this tea \u2013 or spherical, and these processors will yield Oolong teas with different flavours and characteristics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Oolong tea properties and benefits<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oolong tea contains a small but powerful array of medicinal properties.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The most characteristic is L-theanine,<\/strong> the amino acid that makes this tea a natural calming agent. As a rule, oolong tea has more L-theanine than black tea and less than green tea.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It also has EGCG<\/strong>, a catechin known to aid weight loss, fight cancer, lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and protect the heart and brain.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It was its digestive and cleansing properties<\/strong> that made it famous in the West, due to research into obesity. However, it has been used for centuries by the Chinese for its medicinal properties.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oolong tea is gluten-free,<\/strong> usually has a strong but not very bitter taste, and has caffeine<\/strong>. Because of its cultural significance, Oolong tea is associated with tea ceremonies from different cultures \u2013 such as the Gongfu Cha ceremony in China and traditional Taiwanese ceremonies. These ceremonies are very important for the mental wellbeing of these peoples, and Oolong plays a very rich role in this benign effect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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\"Oolong<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How to prepare Oolong Tea<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n