Oolong tea

Oolong tea(Wu Long Tea,or WuLong Tea) is a semi-oxidized tea, occupying the middle ground between green and black teas. Combining the best qualities of green tea and black tea.

Oolong tea are to produce a full-bodied beverage, the leaves for oolong tea (also called Wu Long Tea,or WuLong Tea) must not be picked too early or at too tender a stage, but just when they reach their peak. They must be processed immediately. Unlike leaves for green tea, those destined to be oolong are wilted in direct sunlight. Then they are shaken in tubular bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf edges. This bruising is what makes the edges oxidize faster than the center. The leaves are alternately shaken and spread out to air-dry several times until the veins become transparent and the leaf surface yellows. The edges become reddish as a result of oxidation, while the center remains green, and the leaves give off an orchid-like fragrance. The fermentation is arreste halfway through by firing. The temperature for oolong is higher than for other teas. The final product contains less moisture, which enables it to keep longer.

Oolong tea is produced in Fujian , the province of its origin,China, and some othersincluding Taiwan and Guangdong province. The technique for processing it was taken by Fukienese(Fujian) migrants to Taiwan, and that island's Tungting (Dongding) oolong (This tea is gown in Tung Ting Mountains at an altitude 600 meters, located in central Taiwan famous tea growing region, Nantou Luku) is well known. There may be some difference among mainland and Taiwanese oolongs is taste and medicinal function, due to different soil, processing, and fermentation time. Oolongs from the mainland are said to have more body, the result of longer oxidation, than those from Taiwan.

Oolong tea was actually shown to increase metabolism even more than green tea. Oolong tea increased resting energy needs by 10 percent compared to 4 percent for green tea. At first glance it might seem like drinking Oolong tea would be better than the green tea, but researchers found that the teas work for different reasons. Green tea is high in catechins and caffeine, while Oolong tea is high in polymerized polyphenols. The research suggests that by taking both teas, an even greater fat-burning effect can be achieved.

Directions:

Place one tea bag in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minuter.Drink it either warm or cold.

How to brew a perfect cup of Oolong Tea

1. Preheat the teapot.
2. fill the teapot 1/4 full of Oolong Tea;if it is High Mountain Oolong Tea, please fill it 1/5 full.
3. The first brew is used only for warming up the teacup. (The first brew is poured into the cups immediately. )
4. For the second brew, let the boiling water drops between 90 .and 95., and then pour it into the teapot with high and slow way.
5.Wait 25 to 30 seconds then pour it into the tea pitcher.
6.Pour the tea from the tea pitcher into smelling cup and wait for a couple of seconds.
7.Pour it into the drinking cup and enjoy the flavour of tea from empty smelling cup.
8.Enjoy the color, fragrance, taste and essence of the tea.

P.S. If the tea becomes lighter, you could add 10 seconds to steep the tea.

Wu long tea vs green tea

Other links about oolong tea
wu long tea : http://www.wu-long-tea.org

wulong tea weight loss :http://www.wu-long-tea.org/weight_loss.htm

Official site of Oolong tea, supported by Fujian Province in China. History, culture, process of production and especially about benefit of your health.
http://www.oolongtea.org/e/ From www.oolongtea.org