Fresh Oolong Tea: Origin X Awesome Benefits

There are many types of teas consumed by humans; the Green tea, Yellow tea, Black tea, Oolong tea, Pu-erh tea, Herbal tea amongst others.  All come from the same plant, (Camellia sinensis).

Green tea is prepared by steaming and pan-frying these leaves and then drying them. Other teas such as Black tea and Oolong tea involve processes in which the leaves are fermented (black tea) or partially fermented (oolong tea).

Camellia sinensis,

The Oolong Tea is a traditional Chinese tea (Camellia sinensis) produced through a unique process including withering (plant) under a strong sun, then allowing oxidation before curling and twisting.

Oolong is especially popular with tea connoisseurs of south China and Chinese expatriates in Southeast Asia.

According to an “Anxi” theory, Oolong had its origin in the “Anxi Oolong tea plant”, which was discovered by a man named (Sulong, Wulong, or Wuliang). A different tale has it that a man named Wu Liang (later corrupted to Wu Long or Oolong) discovered Oolong by accident, when he was distracted by a deer after a hard day’s tea-picking and by the time he remembered to return to the tea he had picked, it had already started to oxidize.

Oxidation is then an intricate part of producing the Oolong tea.

In making this tea, the degree of oxidation can range from 8 to 85%, depending on the variety and production style. These basic steps involved in its making could be repeated many times before the desired amount of bruising and browning of the leaves is achieved. Much more attention to timing and temperature is need when withering, rolling, shaping and firing the it which is slightly different in the making of other tea types.

One last step to this tea production is the baking or roasting. This part is exclusive to Oolong tea and is referred to as the real art in making this tea.

Medium-roasted Oolong Tea

Different styles of Oolong tea can vary widely in flavour. They can be sweet and fruity with honey aromas, or woody and thick with roasted aromas, or green and fresh with bouquet aromas, all depending on the horticulture and style of production.

Un-roasted Oolong tea

Different varieties of Oolong are processed differently, but the leaves are usually formed into one of two distinct styles; rolled long curly leaves and ‘wrapped-curled’ in a bead-like shape with each having tail.

Benefits of Oolong Tea

1. Removal of harmful free radicals

The polyphenolic compound in Oolong is responsible for the removal of free radicals in our body, because it functions as an antioxidant. So a daily dose of Oolong will cater for cancer, atherosclerosis, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegeneration, and diabetes.

2. Healthy skin

According to research, drinking 3 cups of oolong tea throughout the day could treat in less than a week, allergenic reactions, irritation and chronic skin problems, known as atopic dermatitis.

3. Weight Management

The polyphenol compound found in Oolong tea is very effective in controlling the metabolism of fat in the body. It activates some enzymes in the body which works at enhancing the functions of fat cells in the body. It is commonly believed that daily consumption of oolong tea can reduce obesity

4. Bone Health

The antioxidants present in oolong tea protect the teeth against decay, strengthen the bone structure, prevent osteoporosis, and promote normal, healthy growth of the human body. The Oolong tea is particularly good in building the bone mineral density (BMD).

5. Controls Diabetes

Oolong tea regulates the amount of blood sugar and insulin that is in the bloodstream. The tea is used as an herbal brew for treating type-2 diabetic disorders and as an addition to other supplementary drugs for treating that disease too.

6. Stress Management and Mental Alertness

The Oolong tea also improves mental performance and alertness. Regular intake of caffeine rich oolong tea may help in improving mental performance and maintaining alertness throughout the day. According to organicfacts.net, a study conducted at the Osaka Institute for Health Care Science in Japan, an experimental mouse that was ingested Oolong tea showed a remarkable improvement in stress levels by 10 to 18 % compared to those that weren’t.

It is however advised that because Caffeine treats many people, caution should therefore be applied into dosage consumption. Common side effects of excess caffeine includes; headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness, diarrhoea, heartburn, irregular heartbeat, and confusion.

Photo-credits

stylecraze.com

sushinow.com