It's All About Tea — tea processing

Oolong is one of the most diverse categories of the Six Types of tea. While some oolongs are bright, floral, almost green in character, others are dark, roasted, full-bodied and taste closer to black tea. Oolong teas encompass a broad spectrum of flavors, aromas, and mouthfeels.

If you’ve tried a few oolongs before, you’ve probably noticed that Chinese and Taiwanese teas often feel very different. Wuyi Rock Tea doesn’t taste or look anything like Ali Shan oolong from Taiwan, and Anxi Tie Guan Yin is very different from Phoenix Dan Cong. 

In this article, we’ll look at how certain factors like elevation, oxidation and roasting can influence the taste of oolong, and explore the major production areas in China and Taiwan. By the end, the differences between oolong styles will make more sense, and you’ll have a clearer picture of why each oolong tastes the way it does. (Read more)

We first met Petr online, in a tea forum discussion about oxidation and fermentation. His posts stood out: clear and grounded in real experience, combined with deep knowledge of theory. Petr has spent years studying tea, making it, teaching it, and guiding others into the reality of tea production.

One of the regions where he has invested time and energy is Georgia. Today, when people think of tea-producing countries, Georgia isn't usually at the top of the list. But Petr saw both history and opportunity there. His involvement has grown from trading tea to restoring overgrown gardens, setting up a tea project, and introducing both locals and visitors to the full range of what Georgian tea can be.

We've asked Petr to share his own story of how he became involved in Georgia's tea industry – its people, challenges, and unexpected turns. It's a mix of history, travelogue, and firsthand insight into a tea culture in transition. (Read more)

In the world of tea, one tea stands out for its distinct, multi-layered taste and aroma, offering a richness that's hard to match. Whether it's the delicate floral notes or the deep, roasted flavors, Oolong tea taste and aroma provide a tasting experience that is hard to match. What's truly fascinating, though, is how this remarkable flavor profile is created. The secret lies in its production, arguably the most intricate among the six main types of tea.

In this blog post, we're going to break down the Oolong tea production process, step by step, to uncover how each stage – from leaf harvesting to oxidation and beyond – contributes to the tea's final taste and aroma. If you're a fan of Gong Fu Cha or simply curious about what makes Oolong so distinctive, this deep dive will help explain how those rich, layered flavors come to life in every cup. (Read More)

"Champagne of teas", "the perfume of teas" are just a few among the nicknames of one of the most beloved teas out there, namely Dancong Oolong tea. Although Oolong tea came out as the last addition to the millennia-long tea history of China, it quickly gained popularity. It established itself, stealing the crown of red tea, or Hong Cha, as the most aromatic tea among the six tea types.

In this blog post, we'll unveil the mystery behind one of the most captivating aromas in the world of tea. We'll explore the factors that influence the formation of Oolong tea taste and aroma, and analyze the factors behind it, both from nature and science's points of view. We're talking specifically about Dancong Oolong, as it's the one type of Oolong tea with the most abundant variety of aroma profiles. However, the factors that influence the formation of the aroma and taste of Dancong Oolong apply to virtually any type of loose leaf oolong tea. Ready for it? Let's begin! (Read More)

Tea is a beverage that has been enjoyed for centuries, and its popularity continues to grow worldwide. Nowadays, countless teas are being produced by thousands, if not millions, of producers around the world. Some teas are produced by individual tea masters on their family farms; others are grown on large estates and produced by big tea factories. 

However, not all teas are created equal. Handmade teas, also known as handcrafted or artisan teas, are a cut above the rest. (Read more)