Buy Oolong Tea

Chinese Oolong tea of the highest quality

Knowing where to buy Oolong tea can make the difference between buying a premium product that is fresh and value for money as opposed to stale on-shelf products. 

Like all other premium loose teas, the most crucial aspect of buying a Oolong tea is the quality. When order Oolong tea online, it is best to try before purchase by taking advanatge of  free samples that we offer or buying small packages. 

What is Oolong tea?

Oolong (乌龙) means black dragon when translated into English. Oolong tea is a specialty of China. This tea class is semi-fermented (semi-oxidised) and classified somewhere between unfermented green teas and fully fermented black tea. The Fu-Jian Province of south-east China is the birthplace of all Oolong teas. It is still the predominant heartland of the Oolong tea production today producing many big names such as Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao.

Note: The Chinese have been using the term 'fermentation' traditionally to classify the various classes of teas. The actual bio-chemical change according to the modern science is actually more of an oxidization than fermentation.  

Other names?

Yes. Oolong is an English phonetic rendition of a Chinese word, spelt variously in the west as  Wu Long, Wulong, Wu-long. The Chinese name is  乌龙茶

What are the differences between Fujian Oolng (Tie Guan Yin) and Taiwan high mountain Oolong.

• Growing conditions:  Tiawan Oolong tea is grown on an island at high altitude mountains with relatively cold temperature, heavy mist and short sun shine, whereas Fujian An-Xi Tie Guan Yin is gown in the An-Xi area of Fujian province of mainland China with weather conditions of 15-18 deg. C.,  humidity above 78% and soil PH 4.5-5.6.
• Different plant species: The Taiwan Oolong tea leaves are bigger, fuller and stronger compared the An-Xi Tie Guan Yin varieties.
• Taiwan Oolong teas are more fermented than An-Xi Tie Guan Yin.
• An-Xi Tie Guan Yin has more of a floral aroma while Taiwan Oolong is well known for its intense lingering after taste.
• Taiwan high mountain Oolong has greater re-brewing potential – it can be re-brewed (repeatedly steeped) up to 6 times by simply topping up with hot water, instead of 3-4 times for Fu-Jian Tie Guan Yin.

Oolong teas four pillars 

Oolong teas produced in different regions have distinctive characteristics. 

North Fujian Oolong (Min Bei Oolong)

Classics are the group of Oolong teas produced in the Wu-Yi region - norther of the Fu-Jian Province.  Wu-Yi Oolong teas are also known as Wu-Yi Rock teas. The premium tea bushes are wild grown on the rocky mountains with natural rain fall and creek as irrigation, with well drained and sandy soil to produce a unique 'Yan Yin' (岩韵) - a clean, elegant and refreshing aroma.

Most well known Wu-Yi rock teas include: Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe), Rou Gui and Daffodil (Shui Hsien). 

South Fujian Oolong (Min Nan Oolong) tea

The most well known one being the An Xi Tie Guan Yin, a lightly fermented rolled Oolong loved and consumed by many in China and overseas. 

Guang-Dong Oolong tea

Produced in the Guang Dong Province of China. The most well known one being the Phoenix Single Bush (Feng Huang Dan Cong) produced in the Chao-Zhou area of the Guang-Dong province for its high and elegant fragrance, mimicking the blossoms of the surrounding areas. 

Taiwan High Mountain Oolong 

Taiwan High Mountain Oolong (Dong-Ding Oolong) is a special class of Oolong tea produced in Taiwan’s high mountains, typically named after the mountains where they are produced and priced based on the altitudes of the mountains.

Dong-Ding translates into icy peaks in English. The higher the mountains are, the lower the temperature is and the better quality the teas are, as the tea plants grow slower in the cooler conditions and have more time to store up the nutrients and flavour.

In comparison to its mainland cousin Fu Jian Tie Guan Yin, their leaves are bigger, stronger and fuller, with a distinctive bold, refreshing and long-lasting aftertaste.

The most well known Taiwan high mountain Oolong include: Mt Yu Oolong, Mt. Ali Oolong etc. 

For more information about Oolong teas, please visit: Oolong tea preparation and storage guide, Oolong tea information and Oolong tea FAQ. 

You can also find information on Oolong tea's health benefits buy searching a scientific database (by key word) at: Pubmed