We know that once you have found something that you like, it can be hard to try something new. After all, why risk it!
However, you might be missing out on so many would-be favourites by sticking to your comfort zone.
So, here’s a tea that we like to recommend to folks that either drink exclusively black or green loose leaf tea: oolong!
Loose leaf oolong tea is a unique type of tea that is found somewhere between black tea and green tea, and shares elements of both types.
What’s more, you can actually get some oolong teas that closely resemble black tea, and you can get other oolong teas that closely resemble green tea. That means it’s possible, however picky you are, for you to choose one with a flavour profile that you’ll like!
What does oolong tea taste like?
Every oolong tea will taste different! Some lighter oolong teas will taste more like green tea, and darker oolong teas will taste closer to black tea.
The reason this is the case is because oolong tea comes from the leaves of the same plant as black and green tea, the camellia sinensis plant, just at a different oxidation level.
Oxidation is what happens to the leaves after they are plucked, when they are exposed to the air and begin to brown. This changes the taste and caffeine level of the tea, but it is a process that can be stopped by treating the leaves with heat or pressure.
Green teas are unoxidised, whereas black teas are fully oxidised. Oolong tea, in comparison, can be produced at oxidation levels of anywhere between 8-80%.
Our oolong tea has a lovely rich taste, with a nutty flavour profile. This is because it is on the higher end of the oxidation scale.
Another factor that will impact what oolong tea tastes like is where it is from! Our oolong tea blend is Formosa Oolong from Taiwan, where the plant variety will be different from those in China or elsewhere around the world.
Is oolong tea good for you?
Considering oolong tea is part green tea and part black tea, oolong tea shares the benefits of both! There have also been many studies concluding that oolong tea may have certain health benefits, too.
Oolong tea is high in antioxidants, theanine, and other beneficial nutrients. There have also been associations found with oolong tea drinkers being at lower risk of high cholesterol, too.
Many studies have also shown that drinking oolong tea can influence weight loss. Oolong tea weight loss comes about because the tea boosts metabolism which then helps your body burn fat.
You can also choose an oolong tea that has a caffeine content that is ideal for you, so if you are a black tea drinker but would prefer to consume less caffeine then making the switch to oolong would be a great choice!
Learn more about the benefits of oolong tea here.
Does oolong tea have caffeine?
Oolong tea does have caffeine, and the amount of caffeine it has depends on how oxidised the tea is. The more oxidised the tea leaves are, the higher the caffeine content of the drink.
For example, green teas have low caffeine content because they are not oxidised. Whereas black teas have high caffeine content because they are fully oxidised.
Oolong tea will have some caffeine content because the tea leaves are partially oxidised.
Our Formosa Oolong has oxidation levels closer to black tea, so it has a higher caffeine content that other oolong teas.
Where to buy oolong tea
You should buy oolong tea from a reputable tea seller, where the teas are high quality, pure, and taste great!
At Leaf Tea Shop, not only do we create tea blends using the highest quality ingredients but we are also committed to producing environmentally friendly products. This is why we are committed to manufacturing plastic free loose leaf tea in our tea tins and biodegradable refill bags.
So for anybody looking for the best oolong tea in the UK, look no further than Leaf Tea Shop!
