What Is Oolong Tea? The most versatile and enigmatic "swordsman" in the realm of Chinese tea

Key Takeaways

• Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea with a fermentation degree ranging from 15% to 85%, including lightly fermented varieties like Tieguanyin, moderately fermented ones such as Chaoshan Dancong, and heavily fermented types like Taiwan’s Oriental Beauty.
• It is mainly produced in Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan, with a complex production process that includes a unique "shaking" step to enhance its aroma.
• Brewing oolong requires specific techniques: using a covered bowl (Gaiwan) or teapot, warming the teaware first, 8g of tea leaves for standard-sized vessels, water above 95°C, and short initial steeps (extended gradually).

What Is Oolong Tea?

Oolong tea, a beloved category in Chinese tea culture, is defined as a semi-fermented tea with a fermentation degree ranging from 15% to 85%. This unique fermentation range gives it a diverse flavor profile, bridging the freshness of green tea and the richness of black tea. Depending on the fermentation level, it includes various well-known varieties: lightly fermented ones like Tieguanyin, moderately fermented Chaoshan Dancong, and heavily fermented Taiwanese Oriental Beauty.

Origin, Production, and Craftsmanship

Oolong tea is primarily produced in three key regions: Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan. Its production process is intricate, consisting of several essential steps: plucking, withering, shaking, pan-frying, rolling, and baking. Among these, shaking (a unique process exclusive to oolong tea) plays a vital role—it stimulates the tea leaves to fully release their distinctive aroma, ultimately creating oolong’s signature traits of "high and lasting fragrance, rich taste."

What Makes Oolong Tea Special?

Oolong tea stands out for its exceptional aroma and flavor. Thanks to the careful control of fermentation and the unique shaking process, it boasts a "high and lasting fragrance" that lingers, paired with a "rich, mellow taste" on the palate. For tea drinkers who favor intense aromas, oolong is often their top choice.

How to Brew Oolong Tea

Brewing oolong tea requires attention to detail to unlock its full potential:

1. Teaware: Use a covered bowl or teapot.
2. Warm the teaware first: Before adding tea leaves, rinse the teaware with hot water to heat it. This helps activate the tea’s aroma. After adding the leaves, gently shake the teaware to further enhance the fragrance.
3. Tea amount: For a standard-sized teaware, use approximately 8 grams of oolong tea.
4. Water temperature: Always use water heated to above 95°C. High temperature helps volatile aromatic compounds in oolong tea release, ensuring a richer taste. Insufficiently hot water will result in incomplete flavor and aroma.
5. Steeping time: The first three infusions should be short—pour in and out quickly to avoid bitterness. For subsequent infusions, gradually extend the steeping time. High-quality oolong tea can be brewed more than five times.