Oolong Tea: The Luxurious Tea Between Green and Black

Oolong tea is often considered the luxury tea of the tea world, prized for its complexity, craftsmanship, and wide range of flavors and aromas. Like green and black tea, oolong tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets oolong apart is its oxidation level, which places it squarely between green tea (minimally oxidized) and black tea (fully oxidized).

After harvesting, oolong tea leaves are left to oxidize—absorbing oxygen over time. The longer this process continues, the darker the leaves and liquor become, and the deeper, richer, and more complex the flavors and aromas develop. With increased oxidation also come changes in the tea’s chemical composition, giving oolong tea its distinctive character.

The name oolong may originate from a Chinese phrase meaning “as black as a crow,” possibly referring to the darker appearance of some oolong leaves. The Chinese characters themselves translate to “black dragon tea,” a fitting name for a tea that coils, unfurls, and transforms during brewing.

Health Benefits of Oolong Tea

Modern research suggests that oolong tea offers a wide range of health benefits. Regular consumption of oolong tea has been associated with:

• Reduced risk of heart disease

• Support for weight management and obesity prevention

• Potential reduction in cancer risk

• Improved blood sugar regulation and diabetes prevention

• High antioxidant content

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Enhanced brain and cognitive function

• Reduced eczema symptoms

• Support for bone health

With its balance of antioxidants, polyphenols, and moderate caffeine content, oolong tea is often regarded as a wellness-forward tea that supports both body and mind.

Two regions dominate the world of oolong tea: China and Taiwan.

Taiwanese Oolong Tea

While Darjeeling is often called the “champagne of tea,” many tea lovers argue that Taiwanese oolong tea deserves the same title. Taiwan has become world-famous for its refined oolong production and for spreading oolong tea culture across Asia and beyond.

Taiwanese oolong differs from Chinese oolong partly due to its native tea plant variety, often referred to as Camellia formosensis—named after Formosa, the island’s historical name. Over the past 50 years, Taiwan’s government encouraged tea cultivation at high altitudes, leading to the development of iconic teas such as Alishan Oolong, frequently described as the “champagne of oolong teas.”

Other celebrated Taiwanese oolong teas include:

• Jin Xuan (Milk Oolong)

• Dong Ding

• Oriental Beauty

• Tie Guan Yin

• Cui Yu (Jade Oolong)

• Osmanthus Oolong

• Bao Chong (Pouchong)

Chinese Oolong Tea

Chinese oolong tea remains deeply rooted in southern China, particularly in Fujian Province, where oolong plays a central role in Gong Fu Cha, the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The Wuyi Mountains (Wuyishan) are especially famous for producing rock oolongs with intense mineral depth.

Chinese oolong tea culture spread from Fujian to Southeast Asia and Taiwan, shaping modern oolong traditions. Renowned Chinese oolong teas include:

• Da Hong Pao

• Shui Jin Gui

• Tieluohan

• Bai Jiguan

• Rou Gui

• Shui Xian

• Tie Guan Yin

• Huang Jin Gui

In Guangdong Province, Phoenix Oolong (Dan Cong) is celebrated for its naturally occurring fruit and floral aromas—achieved without artificial flavoring.

Jin Xuan (Milk Oolong)

Jin Xuan, commonly known as Milk Oolong, was first cultivated in the 1980s in Nantou and Chiayi counties in Taiwan. This hardy hybrid cultivar adapts well to various growing environments.

Milk Oolong is prized for its naturally creamy, buttery aroma and smooth, milky mouthfeel, making it a popular dessert-style oolong tea. Its comforting sweetness has made it one of the most beloved Taiwanese oolongs worldwide.

Osmanthus Oolong

Osmanthus Oolong is scented with fragrant osmanthus blossoms, creating a tea with a warming floral aroma and delicate sweetness. Beyond its sensory appeal, this tea offers additional wellness benefits.

Osmanthus Oolong is believed to:

• Help regulate insulin levels

• Support metabolism and calorie burning

• Strengthen the immune system

• Provide antioxidants that slow aging

• Support memory and cognitive health

• Promote clearer skin

• Strengthen bones and teeth

Oriental Beauty Oolong

Oriental Beauty Oolong carries one of the most intriguing stories in tea history. According to legend, Queen Elizabeth II encountered this tea in the 1960s and was captivated by the elegant way the leaves danced in the teapot, inspiring the name “Oriental Beauty.”

This tea’s unique flavor comes from an unusual process: tea leaves are bitten by small insects before harvest. The plant’s natural response creates a honeyed, fruity complexity. This practice has encouraged organic and sustainable farming, allowing insects to coexist with tea plants rather than be eliminated.

Jade Oolong

Jade Oolong (Cui Yu) is a lightly oxidized hybrid oolong known for its brilliant green liquor and fresh, floral profile. Its subtle oxidation gives it a gentle sweetness with unforgettable peach-like notes. Due to its popularity, true Jade Oolong is becoming increasingly rare.

Dong Ding Oolong

Dong Ding Oolong, meaning “Frozen Peak,” is one of Taiwan’s most historic teas, cultivated in Lugu Township. Moderately oxidized and lightly roasted, Dong Ding offers a rich aroma with roasted, fruity, and nutty notes—making it a classic among traditional oolong enthusiasts.

Bao Chong (Pouchong) Oolong

Bao Chong Oolong is lightly oxidized and unroasted, with gently twisted leaves rather than tightly rolled ones. It bridges the gap between green tea and oolong, offering fresh vegetal, herbal, and floral aromas with remarkable clarity and elegance.

Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy)

Tie Guan Yin, meaning Iron Goddess of Mercy, is one of the most legendary oolong teas, originating in Fujian Province. Named after Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion, this tea carries both myth and mastery.

Legend tells of a poor farmer who cared for a neglected temple devoted to Guanyin. In a dream, the goddess revealed a treasure hidden nearby—a tea plant, which became Tie Guan Yin.

Through intense roasting, rolling, and repeated oxidation cycles, Tie Guan Yin develops dried fruit aromas, roasted grain notes, and a smooth, lingering finish. Its production is as dramatic as its story, resulting in one of the most revered oolong teas in the world.