Oolong tea
At chinateaguru, we delve into the unique charm of Oolong Tea. From the Wuyi Rock Teas of Fujian to the High Mountain Teas of Taiwan, we present the diverse flavors of semi-fermented teas. Learn about the craftsmanship of Oolong Tea, appreciate its distinctive aroma and taste, and experience the tradition and innovation of Chinese tea culture.
Total 146 articles
Special Topic:Oolong Tea
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The shelf life of tea: How long does it last and can you drink it after it expires?
The expired tea should not be consumed. Tea is a common beverage in daily life, made by processing fresh leaves of the tea plant through various procedures to create semi-finished or finished products. Tea generally has a shelf life, and it is recommended to discard the tea once it exceeds this period, rather than consuming it. How long is the shelf life of tea exactly? Based on factors such as the raw materials and production techniques, Chinese teas can be categorized into six major types, each with varying shelf lives. 1. Green tea, being the most prominent among the six categories, enjoys widespread popularity in China. As an unfermented tea, under normal circumstances, green tea has a shelf life of around 18 months. People tend to enjoy green tea for its freshness and brisk taste, so it is best not to store it for too long, as doing so would diminish its flavor significantly. Yellow tea, which undergoes an additional “yellowing” process compared to green tea, is a slightly fermented tea, and its shelf life is similar to that of green tea. 2. Black tea, a fully fermented tea, does not require further aging after fermentation, thus it also has…... -
Storing Tea: Refrigeration or Freezing
Green tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea should be stored in the refrigerator’s chill compartment, with an ideal temperature range of 0 to 5°C. They should not be frozen, as this can cause moisture to freeze and condense on the surface of the tea packaging, increasing the risk of dampness. On the other hand, dark tea (pu'er) and white tea have aging value and are best stored at room temperature in a dry place; they do not require refrigeration. Storing Tea: Refrigeration or Freezing 1. Store tea in the refrigerator’s chill compartment. A storage temperature around 10 degrees Celsius is preferable, but if it can be maintained between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius, the storage effect will be even better. 2. Tea has a strong tendency to absorb moisture and odors. When storing tea in the refrigerator, make sure the tea is well-sealed and that there are no strong odors in the fridge. Seal the tea tightly before placing it in the refrigerator. Additionally, do not store the tea alongside items with strong odors to avoid contamination. 3. After removing chilled tea from the refrigerator for use, reseal it promptly to prevent it from absorbing moisture from the air, which…... -
Is it Good to Store Tea in the Fridge? And What Precautions Should be Taken?
Tea enthusiasts often keep a substantial amount of tea at home. Some may even store their tea in the fridge, or purchase a small fridge specifically for this purpose.However, this is a common misconception. Whether tea should be stored in the fridge depends on the type of tea. Here are some general guidelines for storing tea in the fridge: 1. Suitable for Refrigeration Green tea and lightly oxidized Oolong tea. Among the six major types of tea, green tea is the most prone to spoilage and requires extra care during storage. You can place the tea in a sealed tea tin, put it in a sealed bag, and then store it in the fridge. Lightly oxidized Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) and Phoenix Dancong tea that has been dehumidified can also be stored in the fridge. 2. Not Suitable for Refrigeration Dark tea, Pu'er tea, traditionally processed Oolong tea, aged teas, and white tea. Pu'er tea, white tea, and dark tea emphasize the value derived from aging. Storing these teas in the fridge not only risks dampness but also reduces the activity of biological enzymes within the tea, which affects the tea's transformation efficiency. Traditionally processed Oolong teas, such as Wuyi Rock…... -
A Taste of Wuyi’s Scenery in a Cup of Clear Tea
The Chinese yearning for natural landscapes is inscribed in our very genes. When climbing mountains, one expresses emotions through them; when seeing water, sentiments are felt within it. Since ancient times, countless literati and poets have poured their true feelings into the vast expanse of nature. Every blade of grass, every tree, every cliff, and every ravine in Wuyi Mountain reveals its beauty in the leisurely flow of wild streams and the grandeur of bell sounds at great heights, standing out in the southeast of China. 01 WUYI MOUNTAIN Jade peaks and emerald covers, blue waters and vermilion mountains Transformed by wind and rain into jade bones, they defy ordinary interpretations. In his fifties, Lu You, serving as the vice magistrate of Jian'ning Prefecture in northern Fujian, was captivated by the wonders of Wuyi Mountain. Here, he brewed tea, enjoyed it, composed poetry, and wrote magnificent verses such as "A Tour of Wuyi Mountain." The Wuyi Mountains, stretching for thousands of miles, are a significant feature in southeastern China. With hundreds of peaks over 1,000 meters high, Wuyi Mountain stands tall, its main peak Huanggang Mountain reaching 2,160.8 meters, rivaling the Five Great Mountains, and known as the "Roof of…... -
How Should Pu’er Be Drunk? Which Purple Clay Pot Is More Suitable?
A few days ago, a tea enthusiast asked me: how to select a purple clay pot for brewing Pu'er? I will share some common knowledge regarding this topic today. Pot Capacity On this issue, everyone's opinion is relatively consistent. The capacity of the purple clay pot used for brewing Pu'er tea is generally larger than that used for brewing Oolong tea. This is because the leaves of Yunnan large-leaf tea are relatively large. A larger pot allows the leaves to fully expand and release their intrinsic substances. On the other hand, small pots are preferred for Oolong tea to extract its aroma, so the pot cannot be large. A pot of about 180 milliliters (ml) to 200 ml is generally suitable for brewing Pu'er. Of course, a larger pot can also be chosen depending on the number of people drinking. ▲ Qin Quan Pot, No. 4 Well Composite Ore, 300 cc 02 Pot Shape Selection A pot with a large neck and full ear bucket is suitable for brewing Pu'er tea. The water outlet must be good, with a straight spout, and a sword spout is best. The lid opening should not be too small, as a small opening is…... -
Behind These “Minor Issues” in Tea Brewing Lies a Wealth of Knowledge
China is the birthplace of tea, and our ancestors have been discovering and utilizing tea for thousands of years. This ancient beverage has evolved from its earliest form as steamed green tea to the six major categories we know today, over a development period spanning more than two millennia. Throughout this long history, countless Chinese tea enthusiasts have contributed their wisdom and hard work, creating a profound tea culture. Today, let's discuss several "minor issues" related to tea. 1. Must the water used for brewing tea be boiled to 100 degrees Celsius? It is necessary to boil water to 100 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature of the water used for brewing should primarily depend on the type of tea being brewed. For green teas, it is generally not advisable to use boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius. Instead, water between 80 to 90 degrees Celsius (after boiling and cooling to the desired temperature) is preferred. The greener and more delicate the tea leaves, the lower the water temperature should be, which will result in a fresher, brighter, and more flavorful infusion with less destruction of vitamin C. At higher temperatures, the tea infusion becomes darker in color, vitamin C is…... -
What Does Tea Withering Mean?
Tea withering refers to the process of dispersing moisture in tea leaves before they are subjected to heat fixation, allowing for more chemical changes to occur. Traditionally, methods of withering include solar withering (sun-drying), natural indoor withering (spreading out to air-dry), and a combination of both. Nowadays, semi-mechanized withering equipment that is artificially controlled—the withering trough—is also used. The Main Purpose of WitheringThe primary purpose is to reduce the water content in fresh leaves and stems, promoting complex chemical changes due to enzymes. The chemical reactions during withering and fermentation have a broad range of effects, which directly relate to the tea's aroma, taste, and liquor color.Proper and effective withering allows the grassy smell of fresh leaves to dissipate and be replaced by a fragrant scent, often accompanied by fruity or floral aromas. The resulting tea has a smooth and fragrant taste without bitterness or astringency. Withering requires suitable temperature, humidity, and air circulation conditions. The Degree of Withering for the Six Types of TeaGenerally, green tea does not undergo withering or fermentation; yellow tea does not wither but undergoes a yellowing process after heat fixation followed by additional fermentation; dark tea does not wither and undergoes post-fermentation; white tea…... -
Drink Tea to Prevent the Three Highs, Five Points to Note
China is the birthplace of tea, and the habit of drinking tea among its people dates back thousands of years, with virtually every household keeping a selection of teas on hand. Tea, one of the most popular daily beverages, serves more than just to quench thirst. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that tea is rich in various medicinal components, such as tea polyphenols, tea polysaccharides, alkaloids, vitamins, and so forth, which offer excellent health benefits to the human body. This is especially true for those suffering from the three highs (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar) and cardiovascular diseases, who can experience surprising benefits from long-term tea consumption. Drinking More Tea Helps Control the Three Highs and Protects Blood Vessels 1. Catechins Can Help Lower Blood Pressure The American College of Cardiology compiled 21 valid studies involving 1,323 participants and found that compared to non-tea drinkers, tea drinkers had an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 1.8 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of 1.4 mmHg. The blood pressure-lowering effects were even more pronounced after 12 weeks of tea consumption. The secret lies in the antioxidant catechins contained within tea, which open protein channels on the membranes…... -
Fujian Anxi: Capital of a Hundred Teas, Enriching the People with a Single “Leaf”
Fujian Anxi is the birthplace of Oolong tea and the origin of the famous Tieguanyin variety. The people of Anxi have capitalized on their strengths by developing the tea industry, ranking among the top in the country in terms of tea plantation area, tea production, and per capita tea income. However, this major tea-producing county once lacked a large-scale trading market, preventing direct transactions between tea farmers and buyers from home and abroad, making it difficult to sell tea.In 2000, with assistance from the Fujian provincial government, Anxi County raised 120 million RMB through auctions and leasing, primarily from domestic and overseas sources, to build the China Tea Capital – Anxi National Tea Wholesale Market. After its construction, trading activity increased, and tea farmers' incomes rose as well. Tea farmers picking tea. Photograph by Chen Guoping The key to industrialization is marketization. To that end, Anxi not only built the China Tea Capital but also established other national and regional wholesale markets and trading centers like the China Specialty City and China Tea Expo, which have been designated as “designated markets” by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and awarded titles such as “key tea market” and “capital of…... -
Guling Tea
Basic Introduction to Guling TeaGuling Tea is produced in Guling Village, Dongmen Town, Fusui County, Chongzuo City, Guangxi. The village is nestled amidst the mist-shrouded foothills of the Great Ten Thousand Mountains. Guling Tea, produced in Guling Village, Dongmen Town, Fusui County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is located in the mist-enveloped foothills of the Great Ten Thousand Mountains. Guling Tea has the effects of stopping diarrhea, strengthening the stomach, aiding digestion, reducing heat, invigorating the spirit, and eliminating oral odor. It is a natural health product suitable for home and travel. Regular consumption of Guling Tea can enhance appetite, effectively regulate bodily functions, strengthen the body, and delay aging. Guling Tea has a long history of cultivation and a rich cultural background, having once been a tribute item during the Qing Dynasty. Dongmen Town produces 1,500 kilograms of Guling Tea annually. Nutritional ValueIt possesses high health benefits such as cancer prevention, lowering blood lipids and high blood pressure; it aids in digestion, warms the stomach, beautifies the skin, and has astringent properties that help stop diarrhea. It is nourished year-round by beneficial trace elements like potassium, zinc, and selenium, giving it a naturally excellent quality. It has the effects of…... -
Puer Tea: Should It Be Stored in the Fridge?
Puer tea does not need to be stored in the fridge, as the high humidity and low temperature within a fridge, along with its sealed environment, make it more susceptible to dampness and odor absorption, which is detrimental to enzymatic activity. Puer tea is a post-fermentation tea that improves with age under proper storage conditions. Puer Tea: Should It Be Stored in the Fridge? Puer tea does not need to be stored in the fridge, as the high humidity and low temperature within a fridge, along with its sealed environment, make it more susceptible to dampness and odor absorption, which is detrimental to enzymatic activity. Furthermore, puer tea is a post-fermentation tea that requires air and temperature for its substance conversion. Therefore, under normal circumstances, storing it at room temperature, in a well-ventilated and dry environment is sufficient. What Types of Tea Need to Be Stored in the Fridge? Green tea, floral teas, yellow tea, and lightly fragrant oolong tea should be refrigerated. These types of tea undergo minimal or no fermentation, making their internal substances highly reactive to oxygen and environmental factors. Storing them in the fridge helps isolate them from external influences and maintains their stability. However, when…... -
What is the appropriate water temperature for brewing tea?
When brewing tea, controlling the water temperature can affect the taste and aroma of the tea. Different types of tea are best brewed at different temperatures, specifically as follows: Green tea: being delicate, it is not suitable to be steeped in boiling water; a water temperature of 80°C-85°C is recommended. Oolong tea: also known as green tea (a term that can be confusing as it is different from the non-fermented green tea), it is a semi-fermented tea with varieties such as Southern Fujian Oolong, Northern Fujian Oolong, Guangdong Oolong, and Taiwanese Oolong. There are three key elements to brewing oolong tea: the water used, the teaware, and the brewing technique. It's important to follow the principle of "using spring water from stone sources, charcoal stoves, and small teaware." Yixing clay pots or covered bowls are ideal choices for brewing, and the water should be boiled at over 95°C. Huang tea (Yellow tea): being a lightly fermented tea, varieties like Mengding Yellow Bud, Junshan Silver Needle, and Weishan Maojian belong to this category. The tea leaves are delicate, and too high a temperature can scald them, so a brewing temperature between 85°C-90°C is preferable. Black tea: the water temperature should be…...