subject: The Wonder That Is Oolong Tea [print this page] The Wonder That Is Oolong Tea The Wonder That Is Oolong Tea
This tea is the favorite among Chinese tea drinkers. Oolong tea is made from tender tea buds that are laid out in the sun. They remain in the sun just long enough to wilt and begin to ferment. The wilted leaves are then twined together. The taste and smell of this popular Chinese tea is dependent upon where it was grown and how it was produced. It can range from being sweet and flowery to being earthy and roasted.
Originally used only as a tribute to the Gods and Emperors, this tea is now enjoyed by people of many nations. Oolong tea has the nick name of "dragon tea", probably because of its appearance of being long, dark and curly, much like a dragon. This association with the mystical dragon only made it more popular as a drink for the elite of Chinese society.
There are several theories about the origin of oolong. One theory is that it is a cousin to an ancient tea that was specifically developed for ritual use. Another theory is that it is named after the mountainous region of China from which it was first grown. But, probably the most endearing story is that of the gentle tea grower, Wu Liang. He left his freshly picked buds lying in the sun when he was distracted by deer. Upon his return, he found that his precious tea was wilted. He twined the tea together and brewed it any way. Over the years his name, Wu Liang, was distorted to Oolong.
There are several varieties of this tea. Dan Cong is known to copy the smells and tastes of the fruit plants growing around it. Dan Cong usually has a strong orange blossom or almond taste and smell. Alishan Cahi is grown in high altitudes so the growing season is extremely short. This tea is golden yellow in color and has a sweet, fruity flavor.
To brew this tea, use 2.25 grams of tea leaves and 170 ml. of water per cup. The water should be hot but not boiling. The wonderful thing about this tea is that the leaves can be used between 4 and 5 times. The more it is used, the better the taste.
