Oolong tea is sometimes referred to as brown tea, being halfway between black tea and green tea. In many respects, it is the most complicated tea to make because the tea is only partially oxidized. Repeated rolling brings the tea to the desired level of oxidation, which is between the zero oxidation levels of green tea and the high level of oxidation black teas undergo. However, the reward for all that hard work is tea with a great body and the most intense, varied aromas and flavors. Many oolongs are creamy; their liquor literally coats your mouth like fresh cream. Others are almost effervescent, practically fizzing like Champagne. To learn more, check out Oolong Tea 101.
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Chinese Oolong Teas
Oolongs are semi-oxidized teas, so they are neither green nor black, but somewhere in between. They likely first appeared 300 years ago in China's Fujian Province.
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Flavored Oolong Teas
We use potent, delicious oolongs blended with unique flavors to enhance their inherent characteristics.
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Taiwanese Oolong Teas
China may have been the first to make oolongs, but they were later transplanted to the island off of China, Taiwan. Here, beautiful, light and dark oolongs are made.
Oolong Tea Origins
Oolongs were developed after green and black teas, around 300-400 years ago. Originally they were developed in the Chinese coastal province of Fujian and eventually moved down the coast of China and across the waters to Taiwan. The Taiwanese have elevated the oolongs in recent years by optimizing packaging and transport of the delicately flavored tea leaves.
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How To Brew Oolong Tea
- Preheat a teapot by pouring boiling water into it, raising the temperature of the teapot to at least 180°F.
- Discard the water. In your teapot or filter, add 1 teaspoon of loose tea for each cup of tea you're brewing.
- Prepare the water to a temperature between 180°F and 212°F, but never over the boiling point. The optimal water temperature depends on the oxidation level of the oolong tea leaves. For lighter, greener oolongs, stay on the lower temperature side. For darker, blacker oolongs, you can bring the water temperature higher, up to the boiling point.
- Pour the fresh, hot water over the tea or tea bag. This super-saturates the tea, allowing the perfect extraction of the flavor. Let the tea steep for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Pour the tea through a strainer into a cup.
Oolong Tea Brewing Temperature
Oolong teas have a wider brewing temperature range than other tea varietals. Oolong tea is not as delicate as green or white teas but also does not require as much heat as black teas to bring out its fragrant flavors. Our wide offering of unique oolong tea blends results in different optimal temperatures, with lighter oolongs tasting best brewed around 180°F and darker oolong tea flavors benefiting from a higher temperature at 212°F. You can use electric water-dispensing pots to heat water to exact temperatures, or you can insert instant-read thermometers to check the water temperature prior to pouring over your oolong tea leaves.
Oolong Tea Brewing Time
Oolong tea leaves can steep anywhere from 3 to 4 minutes. Each specially selected variety and each drinker’s palate will dictate the proper brewing time. Observing both the tea liquor and the body will help you gauge whether you have brewed your tea for the correct amount of time.
If you’re looking for a stronger cup of tea, it’s best to increase the amount of tea used instead of increasing the brewing time.