Wuyi Oolong Tea - The In Between

There are so many popular types of tea, including black, green, white and Wuyi oolong tea. In the west, we drink mostly black tea. Green tea is becoming increasingly well known. White and oolong teas are the rarest and least understood of the teas.nnWhat Is Oolong Tea?nnAll tea comes from the same plant, the camellia sinensis. The manner of processing determines what kind of tea will end up in your cup. Black tea is picked, fully fermented and cooked. nnGreen tea is not oxidized, or fermented, at all. Oolong tea is somewhere in the middle. It does not have the sweet rich taste associated with black tea, or the grassy fresh flavor of green. Containing the highest levels of aromatic oils, it is generally made strong, with a forward bitterness and sweet aftertaste.nnWhy Black DragonnnThe name oolong translates from the Chinese as black dragon. There are three different stories about the origins of this type of tea.nn1.Black dragon began as a tribute tea, which was grown and picked for the exclusive use of emperors. This theory tells of a tea garden that began a thousand years ago. Originally made in cake form, this legend has this tribute tea evolving into the oolong of today.nn2.The Wuyi theory posits that Black Dragon tea was first introduced in the Wuyi mountains. Two different poems mention Wuyi tea, which is thought to have appeared in the 16th century.nn3.The Anxi legend has it that a warrior inadvertently invented oolong tea when he was out hunting one day. The tea leaves became bruised while he was riding, and when he then left them to brew too long, the result was a fermented brew that he named Black Dragon.nnWuyi Oolong Tea and Weight Loss?nnOolong tea has been proven to help oxidize fat. This makes it a favorite among dieters. Many companies offer wuyi weight loss tea. In reality, any oolong tea will help in dieting. Three to six cups per day will keep blood sugar levels down, and will aid in burning fat.nnWuyi Oolong Tea and CaffeinennThis is a great tea choice for those who like a gentler lift from their favorite beverage. With less caffeine than black tea, oolong provides a little lift without leading to that jittery feeling.nnOolong tea is becoming more and more popular as westerners explore the many faces of tea. Try a cup today for a brand new taste experience!n