What is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea is a true tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is called "wulong cha" in China. Different origins produce different aromas and shapes of oolong tea. Some of the well-known oolong tea varieties include Tieguanyin, Phoenix Dancong, Dong Ding Oolong, Dahongpao, etc.
Oolong tea is neither green tea nor black tea. The production process of oolong tea is between green tea and black tea. Oolong tea is more fermented than green tea and less fermented than black tea. Its fermentation degree is about 10% to 70%. This special production method gives oolong tea a unique flavor and taste. Oolong tea has both the mellow taste of black tea and the fragrance of green tea.
How to brew oolong tea?
Due to the wide variety of oolong teas, there is actually no perfect way to brew a perfect cup of tea. Different oxidation levels and even the shape of the leaves can affect the steeping time and the correct brewing technique. The following are just guidelines, experiment and adjust each step to see what works for your favorite oolong tea variety and taste preferences.
1. Teaware Selection
Oolong tea can be brewed using the traditional Chinese Gongfu tea method or the simpler Western method. Both methods have their advantages, and both will produce delicious oolong tea as long as the tea-to-water ratio and water temperature are correct.
For connoisseurs who enjoy the history and culture of tea, the Chinese traditional method offers a more complete and mellow tea drinking experience. The Western method is more suitable for beginner tea drinkers and those who want to brew a cup of tea quickly and then continue their work for the day.
- Yixing teapots are made of Yixing purple clay from Jiangsu Province, China. Yixing teapots are suitable for brewing oolong tea as well as black tea, Pu'er tea and old white tea. Zisha teapots are a porous material with a double-pore structure. The pores are very dense and have strong adsorption capacity, which can absorb the tea fragrance and keep the tea fragrance for a long time. Each Yixing teapot should only be used for one type of tea.
- Gaiwan is a tea set with a lid and no handle. Brewing traditional Chinese tea in a gaiwan can better appreciate the brewing of tea leaves and smell the tea fragrance.
Western brewing Method: You only need any mug you own
2. Tea to Water Ratio
Chinese traditonal brewing method: The recommended tea-water ratio is1:15-1:20(if you are a Chinese tea beginner, you can try with 1:25) The amount of tea leaves is generally 7-10 g (2/3 of the gaiwan capacity), whichever is more personal taste.
Western brewing method: The recommended tea-water ratio is 1:150
3. Water Temperature
To develop the best flavor profile of oolong tea, we should choose spring water, and the water temperature should use hot water that is just boiling. Once the water reaches 100℃ (212℉), you can start the steps of brewing tea: preheat the teaware - rinse the tea - brew - taste
4. Steeping Time
Chinese traditonal brewing method: The general rule of oolong tea is to steep for about 20s.
Western brewing method: The general rule for oolong tea is to steep it for about 1 minute. It is recommended to steep the tea with hot water first, then let the tea cool or add ice cubes before drinking.
Here, we will take our shop's Dong Ding Oolong Tea as an example to show you how to brew it.
Recommended tea utensils: You can use a purple clay teapot or a gaiwan for brewing.
1.Tea to water ratio 1:20
2.After preheating the teaware, then add dry tea leaves
3. Steeping time 40s/25s/20s/20s/20s. The brewing time can be determined according to personal taste
Recommended brewing method: cold brewing in summer
1.Tea to water ratio 1:50
2.Pour 500ml of normal temperature water into a bottle, put the bottle in the refrigerator, and refrigerate it at -1℃ to 8℃.
3.Take it out after 6-8 hours or overnight, let it sit for a while, and then drink.
