Oolong tea

Wilting is a fundamental and critical process in tea processing that directly affects the aroma, taste, and final quality of the tea. This article will explain the wilting process in detail and explore its application in the production of different types of tea and its impact on their quality. Basic Principles of the Wilting Process Wilting, also known as “water walking,” refers to the process where freshly picked tea leaves are subjected to natural evaporation or assisted methods under specific environmental conditions. This allows the moisture content within the leaves to gradually decrease, making them softer and promoting changes in their internal chemical composition. This process aids in the formation of the tea's aroma and improvement of its flavor. Application of Wilting in Different Types of Tea The wilting process plays a crucial role in the production of various teas, but the specific methods and duration vary depending on the type of tea and the desired quality: Green Tea: The wilting process for green tea is typically shorter, aimed at gently promoting changes in the tea’s internal chemical composition to maintain its green color and fresh aroma. Black Tea: In black tea production, the wilting period is longer, which is…...

A gentle breeze sweeps over the central-western part of Raoping County in Chaozhou City, where the vast sea of tea plants in Fubin Town stretches as far as the eye can see, undulating along the mountainside, and the tea fields are filled with a fresh aroma. Following winding mountain roads, the verdant tea trees gradually merge with the blue sky and white clouds, painting a beautiful summer landscape. Recently, relevant leaders of the Chaozhou Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee led a group of deputies to the people's congress and representatives from related departments to conduct the "Green and Beautiful Chaozhou - Deputies in Action" themed activity in Fubin Town, Raoping County, and Fenghuang Town, Guilu Town in Chao'an District. The focus was on a special investigation into the handling of key proposals concerning "Cultivating Tax Sources in the Tea Industry to Promote Fiscal Revenue Growth." During the event, the deputies were constantly on the move, gaining a comprehensive understanding of tea production and sales, tea tax revenue, quality control, brand promotion, and tea plant protection through site visits, listening to reports, and holding symposiums. They actively collected public opinions and fully leveraged their roles as people's congress deputies to empower…...

Summer is a good time to expel the cold and dampness from your body. As temperatures rise, so does the humidity in the air. For those with high levels of dampness, this can be even more harmful. Do you know how to get rid of dampness? Here are some recommended teas for summer to help. Tea is not medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea is not medicine, different people with different constitutions should make different choices. For those with high levels of dampness, there should also be different considerations when choosing tea... What are the harms of having high levels of dampness? 1. When dampness meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it causes obesity; 2. If dampness remains in the body and isn't eliminated, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces. The tongue may appear yellowish and greasy; 3. Those with high levels of dampness feel lethargic throughout the day, affecting digestive functions. They may feel heavy-headed, with limbs and waist feeling weighed down by something, making them reluctant to move; 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…...

Brewing tea is an art that requires method. Even the finest tea cannot fully express its true flavor if brewed improperly. Only by following the correct brewing methods can one truly savor the authentic taste and enjoy a delicious cup of tea. So, how should white tea be brewed to bring out its best? How to Brew White Tea for Optimal Flavor? Techniques for Brewing White Tea! 1. Brewing Silver Needle: When brewing Silver Needle white tea, there are two key points to consider: First, the tea buds are long and delicate, so the water temperature should not be too high, around 90 degrees Celsius is ideal; second, this premium white tea is covered in fine white down, so when pouring hot water, avoid direct contact with the tea buds. Instead, pour the water along the side of the cup (or pot). This approach has two benefits: it protects the appearance of the tea buds and prevents the tea from becoming cloudy due to the release of too much down, which could affect the clarity and beauty of the tea's color. Although the Silver Needle tea leaves are slender and delicate, they are also plump and fleshy, allowing for a…...

When storing tea, attention should be paid to avoiding light exposure, moisture, odors, and high temperatures. Exposure to sunlight can cause chlorophyll in the leaves to fade, darkening the color of the tea, so care should be taken to avoid light; in damp places, tea is prone to mold, so attention should be given to moisture control; tea has a strong adsorption capacity and can easily absorb odors from other objects, altering its aroma, so care should be taken to avoid odors; additionally, high temperatures can accelerate the degradation of tea, so it's important to avoid high temperatures. What Influences Should Be Noted During the Storage of Tea? I. Green Tea Storage Method: Refrigerate. If you need to store for a short period and want to drink it at any time, place green tea in the refrigerator and set the temperature to around 5°C. If the tea is unopened and you want to preserve it for over a year, then store it in the freezer. Best Time to Drink: Within 1-2 months after opening, or within one year if unopened. Points to Note: 1. You can use quicklime to absorb moisture from the tea, package it in an aluminum composite…...

Tea does have an expiration date, which varies depending on the type of tea. If stored properly, tea not only remains fresh but can even improve in quality. Different types of tea require different storage methods. Green tea is best stored in cans with sealed refrigeration; black tea should be kept in airtight and dry containers; Oolong tea can be stored at room temperature in double-lidded containers such as tin or iron cans. How should tea be stored? During the process of storing tea, enthusiasts try every possible method to preserve its quality for as long as possible. Today, we will briefly introduce some tea storage methods that may be helpful to you. 1. Refrigerator Storage Place the tea in a container that is both dry and odor-free, then seal it and put it in the refrigerator's chill compartment. If the amount of tea is small and very dry, it can also be directly packaged and sealed using two layers of moisture-resistant film bags before being stored in the refrigerator. 2. Canning Storage Fill a double-lidded tin can with tea, ideally to capacity so there is little air inside, which helps prevent spoilage. Ensure both lids are tightly closed and…...

Wenshan Baozhong tea is a type of Oolong (or Qing) tea from the Taiwan region and is one of the most lightly oxidized fragrant Oolong teas, with an oxidation level of 8% to 12%. Due to its light baking and fermentation process, it exhibits a fresh and uplifting aroma, hence it's also known as "Qing Cha" or "Clear Tea." This tea is produced in the northern areas of Taipei City and New Taipei City, including Wenshan and Nangang in Taipei City, and Xindian, Pinglin, Shenkeng, Shiding, Pingxi, and Xizhi in New Taipei City. It has a history spanning over two hundred years. As a representative of northern Taiwan Oolong tea, Wenshan Baozhong is renowned alongside Dongding Oolong, enjoying the reputation of "North Wenshan, South Dongding." In 1869, Oolong tea from Taiwan was successfully exported to the United States by British merchant Tod and comprador Li Chunsheng. However, in 1873, due to poor sales, merchants sent unsold stocks of Oolong tea to Fuzhou where they were processed into fragrant Baozhong tea by adding floral scents, which unexpectedly received a positive response. In 1881, Fujianese tea merchant Wu Fuyuan (also known as Wu Fulao) crossed the sea to Taiwan and established the…...

Among the many types of purple clay teapots, what shape do experienced tea connoisseurs prefer? Experienced tea drinkers have sampled a wide variety of teas and naturally understand the aroma-enhancing capabilities of purple clay teapots. They collect various types of teapots, and among them, round-shaped teapots are the most frequently chosen. What are the appealing features of round-shaped purple clay teapots? 1. Easy to Handle For a tea connoisseur who enjoys sipping tea, a purple clay teapot is an object that should never be far from their hands. Whenever they have free time, they like to start brewing tea. Why do most people lean towards round-shaped teapots? After brewing tea, round-shaped teapots are easy to hold and play with. When brewing tea, hot tea water can be poured over the teapot, allowing the color of the tea to seep into the teapot. After drinking the tea, you can hold the teapot in your hand and caress it all over, which is enjoyable. Over time, the luster and water color of the teapot will become outstanding. With a square teapot, one can only admire it on the table. Square teapots have sharp edges, making them uncomfortable to hold and caress, unlike…...

Why does the tea you brew always taste different from that of a tea artist? It turns out that every step, from boiling water, selecting utensils, preparing the tea leaves to brewing, can affect the infusion. Brewing tea is not only a technical skill but also requires meticulous attention. The details make or break the result. Whether the tea tastes good or not depends on whether you have paid attention to these details and methods. Boiling Water Boil water this way for better-tasting tea In his book, "The Classic of Tea," Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty described three stages of boiling water: First Boil: When the water starts bubbling like fish eyes with a gentle sound; Second Boil: When bubbles rise like a spring of pearls; Third Boil: When the water surges and waves like a rushing tide. For modern people, boil water quickly over high heat instead of slowly over low heat. When the water continuously bubbles at the second or just into the third boil, its activity is best. If boiled too long, the oxygen content decreases, reducing its activity, which we often refer to as "over-boiled" water. This negatively impacts the infusion. If using tap water,…...

The shelf life of tea refers to its optimal tasting period. However, each type of tea has different appreciation angles; for green tea, it's all about its freshness and briskness. Therefore, the back of most green tea packaging will indicate a shelf life of 18 months. This means that, under normal circumstances, after 18 months, its freshness and briskness are virtually gone. However, this does not mean that drinking it after the expiration date is unsafe. On the contrary, if stored properly, the transformation of tea over the years may pleasantly surprise you. How Long is the Shelf Life of the Six Types of Tea? Green Tea (1 year) Green tea is not fermented, making it the freshest among teas, and it is prone to oxidation upon exposure to sunlight and air. The optimal tasting period for green tea is generally 12 months, which can be extended to 18 months with sealed refrigeration. Huang Tea (2 years) Huang tea undergoes an additional "yellowing" process compared to green tea, experiencing mild fermentation. It is a unique category that finds beauty in its yellow hue. Its optimal tasting period is 2 years. White Tea (Long-term Storage) White tea is neither stir-fried nor…...

1. Minbei Narcissus The original name of Narcissus was "Zhuxian," originating from the "Zhuxian Cave" on Yanyi Mountain in Dahan Village, Xiaohu Town, Ouning County (now Dahan Village, Shuigil Township, Jianyang City). It started during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1821 AD), and due to the local pronunciation where "Zhu" sounds like "Shui," it gradually became known as "Narcissus" or "Minbei Narcissus." According to "Records of Unusual Fujian Products," "In Ouning County's Liuda Lake, there is a type of tea with coarse, long leaves named Narcissus because its flavor resembles that of the Narcissus flower..." The new chronicles of Chong'an County record: "The mother tree of Narcissus is located beneath the Zhuxian Cave in Taotzigang, Dahan, Shuigil County (now part of Jianyang City). During the Daoguang period, a farmer surnamed Su discovered it and propagated it widely." Additionally, according to the Daoguang "Ouning County Annals," "Narcissus tea comes from Dayi Village (today Xiaohu Town), Dahan. There is a mountain called Yan Cha Shan, with the Zhuxian Cave on top. A man surnamed Xi Gan from Xiqian Factory, who worked in the tea business, occasionally went to the cave and found a tree that resembled tea but had an…...

Photography by Donghua Huang China Tea Capital - Anxi Upon entering the China Tea Capital in Anxi, one is greeted by rows of tea shops, the air filled with the aroma of tea, and a dazzling array of teas including Tieguanyin, Dahongpao, Pu'er, Longjing, white tea, dark tea, and more—making it a true "Capital of a Hundred Teas Trade." Anxi, the birthplace of Chinese Oolong tea and the origin of the world-famous Tieguanyin, has leveraged its strengths to develop its tea industry, setting national records for tea plantation area, tea production, and per capita tea income, shedding its title as the "largest state-designated impoverished county." Photography by Guoping Chen However, this major tea-producing county once lacked a large-scale trading market, preventing farmers from directly connecting with domestic and overseas buyers, making it difficult to sell their tea. Photography by Donghua Huang In 2000, with the assistance of the provincial government, Anxi County raised 120 million RMB through auctions and leases, primarily from domestic and overseas sources, to build the China Tea Capital – Anxi National Tea Wholesale Market. After the market was established, transactions became active, and farmers' incomes increased. Photography by Ying Lin On the evening of October 15,…...