How to Drink Oolong Tea

Brew the perfect cup of oolong tea.

Oolong or Wu Liang tea was accidentally discovered by a Chinese man in 1400 AD during the Ming Dynasty.Named after the man, Wu Liang green tea is made by partially oxidizing the leaves to produce a mellow flavor without the grassy, harsh taste that many green teas have. The leaves are wilted and rolled to release the oils. The leaves are then roasted to stop the oxidizing process. The result is a flavorful mild tea that is both refreshing and energizing.

Things You'll Need

• Tea kettle
• Measuring spoons
• Tea pot
• Cup
• Tea strainer
• Sugar, milk or lemon (optional)

Instructions

1. Fill a tea kettle with cold, filtered water. Use fresh water, as reheated or stale water will not bring out the best flavor in the tea.

2. Measure the tea leaves. Place 1 tsp. of Oolong tea per cup of water in a tea pot.

3. Place the filled tea kettle over high heat and bring it just to a boil. Remove it from the heat.

4. Pour the hot water into the tea pot and allow the tea to steep, between three to f minutes. Taste ivethe tea and allow it to brew longer for a stronger flavor.

5. Pour the tea into cups by placing a tea strainer over each cup to catch the spent leaves. Sweeten the tea with sugar and milk according to taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Sugar will enhance the flavor of tea, but milk and other dairy products will mask it. Use dairy sparingly to bring out the full flavor of your tea.

• Add a squeeze of lemon for a citrus flavor to your tea.

• Don't allow the tea brew too long before you serve it as it will over-steep and make the flavor bitter.

References

• "Chicken Soup for the Tea Lover's Soul: Stories Steeped in Comfort"; Jack Canfield, et al.; 2007
• "The Ultimate Tea Diet: How Tea Can Boost Your Metabolism, Shrink Your Appetite, and Kick-Start Remarkable Weight Loss"; Mark Ukra, Sharyn Kolberg; 2007
• "The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook: A Guide to the World's Best Teas"; Mary Lou Heiss, Robert J. Heiss; 2010