Organic Wu Yi Oolong Tea
The mist-shrouded cliffs of the Wuyi Mountains, on the border of the Jiangxi and Fujian provinces of southeastern China, have nurtured exquisite teas for thousands of years and are the birthplace of organic oolongs. The open, dark brown leaves of this organic tea from China yield a light amber infusion with a smooth, light body and little astringency. The tea exhibits aromas of mushrooms, dry fall leaves and sweet earthiness, with a very pronounced roasted quality that reminds us of burnt caramel. The roasted dimension of this organic loose tea translates strongly into the cup, as do many of its aromatic qualities. Organic Wuyi Oolong is a great drink with any meal and makes superb iced tea.
Ingredients: organic Chinese oolong tea
Origin: Wuyuan Xitou Tea Farmers Association, Jiangxi Province, China
Jiangxi, located on the Eastern side of China, is surrounded by mountains on three sides and sits comfortably in a subtropical climate, making it an excellent place for tea plants. Teas grown in the Wuyi mountain range are sometimes referred to as "rock tea," because of the rocky terrain. As a whole, tea isn’t a large export from this part of China, but in the north of Jiangxi tea production has become an important part of the agriculture. The Jiangxi WuYuan Xitou Tea Farmers Association reflects the transition of a society from governmental control to democratic processes and market economy. Once state-owned, WuYuan Xitou’s ten tea gardens are now owned by individual farmers who have collectively assembled to make up the farmers association that became Fair Trade certified in 2004.
Steeping Instructions
At Arbor Teas, we believe tea should be brewed to suit your personal taste. We’re happy to make recommendations to get you started, but don’t hesitate to experiment! When brewing your tea, your main considerations are tea quantity, water temperature, and steeping time. We recommend oolong teas to be steeped for 4 to 7 minutes in water heated to a just about boiling (approximately 195 degrees F). For the best flavor, use fresh water whenever possible. Try not to steep your tea longer than necessary, as you’ll extract undesirable bitterness from the leaves. If you want a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea. And don’t forget to re-steep your tea leaves to get the most out of your leaf!
Looking for more info? Check out our How-To Guides and Eco-Brewing Tips!
Staff Perspectives
Jeremy
"This is definitely the most roasted of the oolongs we offer."
Aubrey
"We have customers who come back again and again for this tea only."
Chelsea
"Drinking this tea brings my mind to the mountainous terrain of the Wuyi range, one of the first and most enticing tea growing origins I have learned about."
Health Benefits
Like all true tea, oolong tea offers many potential health benefits. Research has found that tea (Camellia sinensis) can have many positive effects on human health, including improved cardiovascular function, cancer risk reduction, improved immune function, improved oral health, and help with weight management. Tea is also full of polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidant that help your body maintain homeostasis and balance your stress levels.
For more information about the health benefits of oolong and other types of tea, and for direct sources of the above information, check out our Tea Health BenefitsHealth Benefits of True Tea page!
Please note: the information above is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
