Production of Oolong tea

Many Oolong teas have two harvest seasons, spring and autumn. Unlike green, white or yellow teas that predominantly use young tip leaves (the proportion of young leaves being a good indicator of the tea quality), Oolong teas are made of bigger and relatively more mature leaves.  The Oolong tea’s harvest time is also slightly later in the spring.

Once the tea leaves are harvested, they undergo various stages of processing including a step during which the tea leaves are left to ferment naturally.  The degree of fermentation varies depending on the tea types, but is carefully controlled by the tea masters     

Similar to other Chinese teas, Oolong tea production is extremely geographical, as the tea plant species are highly sensitive to many natural factors such as: sunlight, temperature, altitude of the plantation, rain fall, soil conditions etc. The timing of the harvest is also crucial in order ensure the leaves are plucked in their premium state.

Oolong tea making processes are delicate and skilful.  During the tea harvesting season, the work is around the clock.  The leaves are picked during the day, withered and then fermented.  They then go through a process of being shaped and dehydrated, some steps being repeated many times. 

The final products are very distinctive in their appearance, some stretched and loose and others tightly rolled and greenish in colour for the ones less fermented and brownish red for those more fermented and roasted.