Are Wu Yi Tea and Oolong Tea the Same Thing?
In fact, wu yi tea is oolong tea. But not all oolong tea is wu yi tea. This may sound a bit confusing. Let’s talk about the various teas and then you will understand.
Camellia sinensis is the plant for which all real teas are harvested. The final product, or variety, depends on how it is processed.
We will start with black tea as it is the most popular tea in the Western world accounting for 75% of tea production. Tea leaves are harvested and left out to wither. Afterwards, they are rolled either by machine (CTC – cut tear curl) or by hand (orthodox) to release more moisture. The CTC method produces rather crushed up leaves while the traditional orthodox method allows the leaves to remain more intact.
They are then spread out in a cool, damp place to oxidize. This turns the leaves from green to brownish color. The tea leaves are then dried using hot air. Finally, the tea is sorted into various grades depending the final leaf size.
In processing green tea, the process is similar expect that there is no oxidation. Instead, the green tea leaves are steamed immediately after being dried to stop any oxidation process. The nutrients are also left more in tact. However, the tea has a sort of grassy taste without the oxidation process.
White tea is the rarest, once only reserved for Chinese nobility. The reason behind this is that it can only be harvested a couple days per year. White tea comes from the tea plant before the bud has fully opened. It is then processed like green tea. It has a very delicate flavor, however, due to its rarity; it is more expensive than other tea varieties.
Oolong tea is the best of both worlds because it is only partially oxidized. This allows it to taste similar to black tea, but retain more of the natural nutrients as green tea. Obviously, this is an advantage because if you would like to reap the health benefits of green tea, but you prefer the flavor and aroma of black tea, you will enjoy oolong tea more.
Okay, so why do we call some oolong tea, wu yi tea? Think of it more as a brand name, but perhaps a bit more special. Wu yi tea is oolong tea so named for the chain of mountains where it grows. The Wuyi mountain chain in Northeastern China is home to the Camellia sinensis plant where wu yi tea is harvested.
It is sort of like “New Zealand” kiwis, only they leave the oolong completely out of the name. Oolong tea can be grown in other regions, but the quality may not match that of wu yi tea. The mountain range has a great climate and fantastic soil for growing oolong tea.
Just like white tea, wu yi was once only given as a gift to the higher ups in China. Finally, wu yi tea has become quite popular in the Western world. It is widely available on the internet. The popularity is likely due to its great flavor as well as nutritional value.
Discover how the stars are dropping pounds safely and effectively with wu yi tea. Go there now and get your own free e-book by signing up to our amazing newsletter jammed with hints on dieting, fitness and wu yi green tea.
Tags: antioxidant, dieting, fat burning, Green Tea, health, health and fitness, natural appetite suppressant, natural remedy for weight loss, tea, weight loss, weight loss programs, wu yi green tea, Wu Yi Tea
