China Oolong SE Chung Tea

This tea is a semi-fermented China Oolong with a slightly earthy note, but mainly an oolong tea that is full of sweet flavour. One of our most popular teas, and one of the first to sell out whenever a fresh stock arrives. Originating in Fujian province, this is a wonderfully herbaceous green Oolong with fruity undercurrents.

Oolong (Oo means Black, Long means Dragon) is a part-fermented tea (10%-80%) fermentation. Although Oolongs today are associated primarily with Taiwan, they originated in China’s Fujian province, with Taiwan starting to produce them from the early 19th century when Taiwan was still part of Fujian province (although bear in mind that any tea has a myriad of legends about its origins). Claims abound as to the health benefits of Oolong tea, particularly for losing weight, although the primary reason for buying Oolong should be their refreshing, delicate taste.

The best Oolongs come from high altitudes with sandy soil. To make the tea, the top leaves are picked, then withered indoor or outdoor on bamboo racks, then bruised for several hours, then quickly pan-fried, then the leaves are rolled and shaped several times, then the tea is baked and finally it is sorted and packaged.

Fujian province in south-eastern China lies across the sea from Taiwan (in fact some parts of Fujian are administered by Taiwan, and Taiwan used to be a part of Fujian) and is home to 35 million people. Fujian is a mountainous province, which has made Fujian isolated throughout its history, particularly bordered by the Wuyi mountains to the north (Mount Wuyi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Fujian has a subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 18 degrees. [OS3022]

Strength: 3/5.
Best time of day for drinking: Any.
Suitable for drinking with milk? No.