What is Oolong tea and how is it produced?
In previous blogs we have already told you about the Camellia Sinensis and that all the different teas come from this plant. This is no different with the Oolong tea.
Oolong tea is a short oxidized tea and is prepared in a unique way by every tea master. A big difference with the green and black tea is that the 4th and 5th leaf will also be picked with the Oolong.
Oolong tea can be placed between green and black tea. The process of the Oolong tea starts like with black tea with the withering of the tea leaves. Then the leaves are shaken. This can be done manually in a basket or mechanically in a drum. Due to this process, the leaves begin to bruise, triggering oxidation.
The length of this oxidation process will provide a distinction between a light and dark oxidized oolong. A slightly oxidized Oolong will lean more towards a green tea. A dark oxidized Oolong goes more towards black tea.
Before the tea is dried, they roll the Oolong into balls like a Gunpowder, or rather into an elongated curl. The oolong process does not always end here. Sometimes the tea masters choose to carry out a post-roasting after drying. This is to enhance the flavor of the Oolong and really bring out the fruit and nutty notes nicely.
