What Is Oolong Anyway?

Fresco Tea Bar • Aug 13, 2021

What Is Oolong Anyway?

I think this is one of those questions that all tea newbies ask themselves, “What is Oolong, is it a black or green?” Well besides being my very favorite option it is a unique tea that has a wonderful smooth taste. Oolong tea is a product from the leaves, buds, and stems of the Camellia sinesis plant. The very same plant that is used to make black and green tea. Despite coming from the same plant, black, green, and oolong teas vary widely in taste and color. This is due to different growing, harvesting, and processing methods.

Oolong tea sits right in the middle of the oxidation process. While Oolong’s themselves have a range of oxidation which can result in a dark oolong to a lighter oolong. Black is fully oxidized and green tea and matcha are not oxidized, the Oolong is right in the middle. The partial oxidized leaves result in a robust flavor of black tea with the herbal, fruity notes of green tea.

So what about Caffeine?

Oolong can have a range of oxidation which results in a range of caffeine levels (as seen below). These little leaves can be complex! Darker oolongs can have as much caffeine as a black tea and lighter closer to a green tea. A good range is 40-55 milligrams of caffeine.

"So, keep sipping and sip often."

Health Benefits

Protects brain function- Oolong tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). That long word is one of the superstar components in the leaves that help prevent memory loss and cognitive declines.

So, keep sipping and sip often.

Improves blood sugars - Oolong tea, like green tea, may help improve blood sugar control. Some studies have found a link between oolong tea and lower fasting blood sugar levels.

Boosts Fat Loss

Sipping on oolong tea can provide the same fat burning boost as caffeine — without interfering with your sleep. In fact, according to one study, oolong may be a bit more powerful than caffeine in helping you feel the burn.

In addition, an animal study found that oolong tea could improve fatty liver, reduce the size of fat cells, and decrease body weight and fat accumulation in rats with obesity.

Give it and Try!

I find Oolong Tea to be the perfect tea to enjoy as a pick me up mid day and the possibilities are endless. Here is an adaptation on a traditional Frappuccino to get you through the day without all the overly sweet syrups.

Ingredients

2 cups ice

4 oz strongly brewed dark Oolong tea

1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp coconut sugar

For Topping: melted dark chocolate, coconut whipped cream, cacao powder

Instructions

Combine ice, almond milk, coconut sugar, and Oolong tea in the blender and blend until ice is crushed and blended, about 10 seconds.

Dip the rim of a 16-ounce glass in melted dark chocolate and pour in Frappuccino. Top with coconut whipped cream and a dusting of cacao powder. Enjoy right away!

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