It's All About Tea — oolong

In our previous article, The Aromatic Dancong Oolongs, we’ve focused on what is Dan Cong (Fenghuang) Oolong, and the various single varietals that exist within this tea category.  

This time we will take a look at the intricate history of this indeed well-known aromatic tea, as well as the processing methods. 

Even if you haven’t yet had a chance to try this wonderfully fragrant tea, learn all about it together with us! (Read more)

What is your favorite tea type? For many, the answer is — oolong!
What makes oolong so favored? Perhaps it's the multidimensionality – the variety within this single tea category. A lightly oxidized oolong resembles green tea, while a more deeply oxidized, dark-roasted oolong resembles black tea. Nevertheless, it is neither. It is in between and can not be imitated. (Read more)

Today, Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea, also known as the Iron Goddess of Mercy or the Iron Bodhisattva of Mercy, is among the top ten teas of China. It is prevalent in both Taiwan and China, although the processing methods vary quite significantly.

For sure, when entering a tea shop in these countries, you are bound to see Tie Guan Yin on the menu. Even in the West, many cafes list Iron Goddess as one of their tea options. Production styles vary heavily. While in Taiwan, Tie Guan Yin is known for its dark, heavily roasted taste, in China, Anxi Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea producers tend to stick to a light, floral roast. (Read more)

One of the things that makes Wuyi Rock Tea different from other oolongs is the roasting process it undergoes. This process is not only one step, but a few distinguished steps.

When yancha is only in the first stages of processing, it's still quite vegetal and floral, much like a green tea. Only at the end of the processing will it gain its characteristic taste that we all love. (Read more)

Similarly, with Cha Qi, as many gongfu-ers as exist, you may hear many definitions of Yan Yun.

In Chinese, Yan means rock, which is also where the name Yan Cha comes from – Rock Tea.

Yun, on the other hand, is much more abstract and is more of a feeling, or a knowing, than it is anything of the physical realm. (Read more)