Oolong tea makes up about 2% of the world’s tea inventory. It is a favorite amongst young people throughout the Asian and Southeast Asian regions. The tea can be considered to be the love child between black and green teas.
What is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea, which means it is one of the earliest known tea strains, as China is the birthplace of tea. It is made using the leaves of the Camellia sienensis plant, the exact same plant utilized to make both green and black tea. The difference between oolong and its sister teas is how its processed.
All tea leaves, no matter what the strain, possess particular enzymes that produce a chemical reaction known as oxidation. It is the process that turns tea leaves into a deeper blacker color than their original color. Black tea is allowed to oxidize to the point that the tea leaves actually turn black, while green tea is not allowed to oxidize nearly as much. Oolong tea on the other hand is a compromise between the two. It is this partial oxidation that is responsible for oolong tea’s distinctive taste and color.
Oolong tea health benefits
Oolong tea isn’t just prized for its looks and taste. It also has lots of health benefits. Drinking oolong tea regularly can help to lower diabetes, improve heart health, help people lose weight, improve brain functionality, and protect the body against certain cancers. Oolong tea also promotes bone and teeth strength, and plays a major role in relieving eczema. The only thing to be wary of when drinking oolong tea is that it contains quite a bit of caffeine. So make sure not to overconsume oolong tea or you will not be able to rest properly.
