What is Wu Long Tea?
Wu long tea is also known as oolong tea or black dragon tea. It's made from the same plant leaves as green or black teas, Camellia sinensis, the tea bush. The difference in wu long tea is in how it is processed. The green tea leaves are rolled and slightly fermented over fires, making them appear like small curly whiskers.
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How to Prepare
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Although bagged wu long tea exists, loose leaf wu long tastes much better. Place 1 tsp. in a cup and pour in hot water that is just about to boil. Let it steep for one minute and sip. If it is too weak, let the leaves steep longer. The leaves will sit in the bottom of the cup. Some leaves are so strong that you can keep topping off the cup with more water.
Taste
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Wu long is an acquired taste for those used to black or green teas, because it is a bit bitter but not as earthy or grass-like as green teas. Do not serve with milk. Sweeten as desired or drink straight.
Monkey Picked Oolong
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One of the rarest types of wu long tea is called monkey picked oolong. According to legend, it was picked by monkeys that had been trained by Buddhist monks. Now, it is a term for the highest grade or oolong or wu long tea.
Availability
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Wu long tea is often far more expensive than black or green teas. It is usually only available in specialty shops or online tea stores.
Misconceptions
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Wu long tea and wu long tea capsules have recently gotten the reputation for making people loose weight. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, these studies on any kind of tea (green, black or wu long) are not conclusive.
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- Photo Credit Image of wu long tea from Wikimedia Commons.
