Oolong Tea

Oolong tea was first produced at Mount Wu Yi Shan in the Fujian Province of China and dates back almost 400 years to the Ming Dynasty. The Fujian Province lends itself to harvesting a favourable crop for the production of Oolong tea. The climate changes dramatically from morning to night giving it a unique environment for the cultivation of this special plant.

Oolong tea production

It may surprise you to know that all tea is made using the same leaf from the same type of tea plant and it is the production methods that create different strengths and flavours which give all teas their unique qualities.

Oolong tea is no exception. It goes through a semi-fermentation process which requires skill and tradition to produce the fine quality flavour that we know and love today.

Firstly, the tea is picked and exposed to the sun then dried indoors to enhance the fermentation process. This is where the skill is required as too much or too little fermentation will result in poor quality Oolong tea. Ideally the leaves should visually be 30% red and 70% yellow for a quality Oolong flavour.

The tea is then rubbed over and over again to bring out the wonderful textures and flavours. Once this has been done, the tea is then dried using charcoal.

Finally, the tea is graded by a tea master. The tea is graded according to its flavours and textures then exported around the world for all of us to enjoy.

Oolong Health Benefits

Many tests have been carried out on the benefits of Oolong tea and it just seems to quantify what the Chinese having been saying for hundreds of years. It is reported that Oolong tea:

• Reduces Free Radicals resulting in smoother healthier skin.
• Reduces tooth decay through the consumption of Polyphenol.
• Reduces Atopic Dermatitis - See clinical results

Obesity and Oolong

For some time now, Oolong tea has been linked with reducing obesity. Amongst other foods taken into our bodies, sugar and fat are synthesized into triglyceride through our livers. This is carried in our bloodstream to tissues within the body. Trygliceride is used by our bodies for physical activities and energy. Unused tryglicerides are deposited within fat cells therefore causing obesity.

Oolong tea contains Polyphenol which activates an enzyme in our bodies that dissolves Trygliceride. Regular intake of Oolong tea enhances the fat metabolism and therefore controls obesity.