What is oolong tea?

While their roots are the same, the oolong family is raised differently to its black tea and green tea cousins. Oolong tea is only partially oxidized and semi fermented which allows it to develop some of the robust body of black tea and blend that with the fresh and zesty goodness of green tea.

Loose leaf oolong is a tea traditionally drunk by the Chinese for many centuries! It flaunts fragrant flavours with complex undertones both delicate and noteworthy.

Like the perfect marriage, oolong tea brings together the best of black tea and green tea, delivering less caffeine than black tea with the goodness of green tea. Oolong is the perfect tea to drink day or night, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish.

What are the benefits of oolong tea?

Like all teas born of the camellia sinensis plant, oolong is bursting with blooming good stuff! Some of the many health benefits of drinking antioxidant-rich oolong tea include:

1. Weight loss or weight maintenanceYes, you can drink oolong tea for weight loss! Oolong contains polyphenols which have been shown to boost metabolism and burn fat. Polyphenols can do other great things for our bodies such as lower inflammation and blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of diabetes.
2. Increased heart healthThe antioxidants known as flavonoids and polyphenols found in oolong tea are powerful substances which studies have shown may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
3. Reduced stressAmino acids readily available in oolong tea help to promote relaxation and better focus. Oolong does contain caffeine too though, so don’t make oolong your bedtime favourite!
4. Reduced risk of certain cancersStudies suggest this antioxidant-rich tea helps to inhibit free radicals and protect against cell damage, reducing the risk of some cancers.
5. Improved gut healthOolong has slight antiseptic properties and is believed to improve gut health by inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria and aiding digestion.

For more health-benefiting tea blends to improve the body, mind, and soul, explore our Wellness tea range.

What does oolong tea taste like?

Mmmmmm! The varieties of oolong tea taste craftily complex and subtly sweet, even grassy green with fresh, fragrant flutters amidst a bright and bold black tea body!

Sometimes it’s a little nutty and people say it can be kinda fruity too, but oolong is totally loveable for all its idiosyncrasies.

How many ways can I drink oolong tea? To begin with let’s try…

• a heart-warming teapot brew of oolong loose leaf tea leaves, or
• the luxurious blend of Oolong Chocolate Chai Loose Leaf Tea with just a dash of milk, or
• a nourishing, nurturing cup of Milky Oolong Loose Leaf Tea gently brewed at 80°C.

Oolong is a fabulously flexible and flavoursome tea just perfect when you feel like something different.

Does oolong tea contain caffeine?

Is there caffeine in oolong tea? Yes, because all teas from the camellia sinensis plant contain caffeine to varying levels.

But oolong tea contains nothing like the amount of caffeine in coffee, or even black tea. So if you need a big caffeine hit opt for coffee. A robust cup of strong breakfast tea or a gutsy black tea brew is great for some get-up-and-go in the morning and oolong will do that too, but to a lesser degree.

If it’s an after-dinner tea you seek oolong may be just a little bit too perky – depending on your sensitivity to caffeine and your sleep habits of course.

How to enjoy oodles of oolong

Oolong tea is a great way to start the day, and if you don’t need a relaxing, soothing, sleepy tea like some of those available in our Wellness range, then oolong is a pleasant after-dinner tea too. Chinese oolong teas are tea-licious teas to enjoy any time a tasty brew takes your fancy!

How to make oolong tea?

Being the unique individual that oolong is, it prefers to be brewed a little longer than many teas – up to six minutes in fact. That may look like showing off, but oolong’s not a fan of getting into hot water, so keep the temp down to 90°C when you make your oolong tea.

Can I drink oolong tea every day?

Yes you can! Aside from tantalising your tastebuds Chinese oolong teas provide great health benefits, so sipping two or three cups of awesome oolong every day is sure to be a good thing!