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The History And Benefits of Chinese Oolong Tea

There are countless numbers of teas and herbal extracts that are consumed each day around the world. Many enjoy the benefits of drinking natural tea and regularly promote their beverage of choice. Chinese oolong tea is at the top of the world’s most celebrated teas. Many of the reasons is in the the taste, and benefits, but also in some of the lore and history. Halfway in between a black tea and a green tea, Chinese oolong tea carries the clear look and fragrancy of a green tea, with the aroma and strength of a black tea.

Chinese oolong tea is said to be produced first on Mt. Wu-Yi Shan in the Fujian Province during the Ming Dynasty. This area is well known for it’s famous teas, and is often said to be the “birthplace” of Chinese tea. The Fujian Province has a well suited natural environment for the cultivation of tea. Boasting a year round temperature of 18 C, there is a drastic change between morning and evening temps and mist forms easily which helps the tea growing process.

Processing Chinese Oolong Tea Involves Three Steps

As wide and varied are the individual teas, there are different process methods for each kind, mainly centering within the fermentation process. Chinese oolong tea is comprised of several different leaves that lend their own aromas and flavors to make oolong tea distinct. Tie Guan Yin, Shui Xian, and Oolong are used in Chinese oolong teas.

The process of Chinese oolong tea is a time honored tradition. The tea leaves are picked at the beginning of the day in the early morning hours. They need to be picked in units of one bud and three leaves while being exposed to the sun. The second step is to dry them inside to promote fermentation. This is the most crucial step as it is important not to only ferment the leaves, but to know when to stop it. The third step involves a lengthy process of rubbing the leaves to promote good taste, aroma, and texture.

Chinese Oolong Tea Varies In Flavors

As with most teas, there are hundreds of different varieties of Chinese oolong tea. While still cultivated in the famed Fujian Province, each different flavor is processed a little differently to make it unique among the oolong teas. One such type is the Wuyi Rock Tea. This oolong tea is one of the most famous in China. It has a very distinct taste because of a mineral that is present in the tea caused by the high mineral content in the mountains where it is grown.

Another popular oolong tea is the Anxi Tieguanyan Tea. This tea is, by far, the priciest tea and is called the Iron Tea because of the unique processing. The heavy rolling of the leaves causes it become bunched into tiny, iron like balls. Formosa oolong teas are also one of the major types.

Chinese Oolong Tea Benefits

Chinese teas, in general, have several health benefits associated with them. The Chinese oolong tea is no different. This tea has many benefits including those associated with anti-aging and helping lower blood pressure to combat heart disease. Weight loss properties are also associated with this type of tea. By having a daily consumption rate of 6 to 10 cups of Chinese oolong tea, it is said to give you a better feeling throughout the day, increased energy and optimized focus.

Weight Loss with Pu-Erh and Oolong Teas

The use of Chinese teas for weight loss has been common for many years. It is known that enjoying the tea with all of your meals will stimulate your metabolism for increased energy. If taken alone, the tea will give you four calories in each serving, and benefits the most when taken alone.

Production of weight loss teas, have been thought by experts, to have caffeine that turns the body’s calorie burning mode on. An aid to fat digestion, polyphenols are part of the tea makeup, truly making various Chinese teas actual ‘weight loss tea‘.

It is common to take many kinds of Chinese teas to lose weight. Their lower calorie counts compared to other beverages in the market, provide the teas with the better weight loss prediction. The most common types of Chinese teas for weight loss are Oolong and Pu-erh teas. A general idea of the two types of teas are in the following discussions.

Chinese Pu-erh

The Pu-erh teas are now falling into the hands of the Western world, regardless of how popular green tea has become. The Pu-erh is called a “medicinal tea” from the Chinese, but Americans now want to earn their right to the tea.

Pu-erh trees in China are thought to be an ancient type, living over 2000 years of age. These trees could be the ancient dwellers of the present day trees. The smaller bush leaves go through a process, different of green tea leaves. Oxidizing these leaves, favors oolong tea processes, but lacks the black tea oxidizing period. The tea leaves are harvested in dried or loose, crushed into a brick, and created into tea cakes, also called Touchas, appearing as a bird nest. Having the Chinese weight loss tea from any of these forms will provide a distinct experience of visuals. Aging in caves, tea cakes will harbor a flavor of the earth.

The pu-erh tea is popularly known as a fat metabolism booster and lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. Dipping the tea in water for long periods is thought to develop special enzymes providing the body with micronutrients for better health.

Researchers found the pu-erh tea to be an asset to losing weight, if taken with all daytime meals, at one cup per meal. It is thought that the tea also keeps the body in balance for metabolic stimulants to occur.

Chinese Oolong Tea

A partial fermented tea, Oolong is widely known. Most would say the tea radiates an intense flower quality. Colors can be noted in bright green to the dark fermented color. The leaves are completely dried , allowing the flavors to stay deep in the leaves, a character trait of the Chinese weight loss tea. Once the leaves are dried, the oolong becomes known for its attributes that are stimulating for those managing weight and establishing a healthy diet.

The most commonly known Chinese weight loss teas are pu-erh and oolong. These teas can be easily found when looking for weight loss aid and will establish better health; as compressed teas, green teas, and black teas can easily be found too.