Wu Long Tea
Wu Long Tea, or Oolong tea as it is better known, is a Chinese tea that is extremely popular. Produced using a process that is unique to this tea only, it offers an immense amount of unique flavor. The uniqueness of this tea is partly thanks to the way that the growers of the plant allow the leaves to wither under an intense sun. This helps the plant to oxidize before they begin the curling and twisting process that makes this tea so unique.
Producing Wu long tea is certainly not an easy task. Those that do it properly have been doing so for many years. The key to getting the unique flavor is really the fermentation process, which can range from 10 percent-80 percent depending on personal preference. Different manufacturers and growers prefer to take different measures when it comes to fermenting their produce.
There is not one type of Wu long tea. In fact, there are literally hundreds of different variations. The leaves are collected in groups and when serving, they are generally infused with water. When this happens, fruit, sugar and sometimes honey can be added to give it that extra bit of flavor and an even more unique taste. The Wu long teas are among the most popular and well known Chinese teas of all time.
The process of making a great Wu long tea can take years to perfect. A lot of people have their own methods to brewing a perfect cup of tea, but the basics tend to stay the same. The first decision to make is how much of the tea to add to water. Using 170ml of water, most people tend to add around 2 grams of tea. Of course, depending on the quality of the leaf in question, this could be too much or simply not enough.
Assuming 1-2 teaspoons of tea for each cup of Wu long tea, the temperature for steeping then needs to be decided on. Between 80-90 C is what the majority of tea makers prefer. Adding the tea to the water and allowing to steep for 3-4 minutes will extract as much of the flavor as possible. It is wise to taste the Wu long tea throughout the steeping process. The more the tea steeps, the stronger the tea is likely to be.
The leaves used for steeping in Wu long tea are extremely high quality in comparison to many other manufacturers. The reality is that they can be used, 2, 3 and even 4 times. Many people suggest that the use the fourth time is usually the best, as the flavor has managed to mature a great deal and offers a much more unique taste.
When it comes to Wu long tea, many think of health benefits. They would be right to do so, as Wu long tea can really help people to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The body makes use of the anti-oxidants that are available to them which help to build up the body's defenses. This can mean that the body is stronger against illnesses, but it can also improve things like cardio strength.
Return to home page 1 Tea
