Light Oolong
Among the variety of Chinese teas, light (green) oolongs occupy a special place.
What is light oolong?
Light oolong, or turquoise tea, is a type of tea leaf that grows in certain regions of China (Anxi, Taiwan), in the preparation of which a very specific recipe is used, due to which this tea acquires properties characteristic only for it.
Requirements for preparing oolong
- Yes, the time of year is very important when picking a tea leaf that will eventually become Te Guan Yin’s green oolong queen. The best tea will be harvested in autumn, then the balance of bright aroma and rich taste will endlessly delight the connoisseur’s taste and smell receptors.
- Also, light oolong differs somewhat in the requirements for the arrangement of leaves on the petiole: for all classic weakly fermented oolongs, the second and third leaves, with a complete absence of the petiole, are considered ideal.
- In terms of the degree of fermentation, low-fire turquoise tea (closer to green teas) should reach 50%, and when opened, the tea leaf should show a high degree of fermentation at the edges, and an almost complete absence in the center of the tea leaf.
- In addition, it should have only two breaks closer to the base – the consequences of correct twisting. But to understand that in front of you is really high-quality, real lightly fermented oolong Te Guan Yin, as a classic of oolong tea, will ultimately help its wonderful flower-honey taste and the bright aroma of a field blooming in the off-season.
What is milk oolong?
Milk oolong is a type of medium-fermented Chinese tea flavored with natural substances or synthetic essence.
Milk oolong is essentially the same turquoise tea as Ti Guan Yin, in the process of preparation of which the Chinese went to meet the Europeans, realizing the white man’s favorite fantasy – the fantasy of milk. Milk taste, creamy-milk aroma, caramel-milk shade in the aftertaste – all these nuances cause pleasant associations, additionally calm the nervous system and pleasantly impress the taste buds.
How is milky oolong made?
Turquoise milk tea can acquire its properties in different ways.
- The simplest and most artisanal, used only in the preparation of low-quality tea – treatment with a synthetic essence with a given aroma. That is why such oolong is now available on the market in a huge assortment.
- It is another matter – tea, in the preparation of which natural aromas of caramel, sweet cream, and fresh milk are used. The Chinese themselves do not understand the need to add taste and smell to quality oolong tea and prefer the purity and harmony of the main note. On the other hand, milk oolong already has a large number of fans in European countries, and their number is growing with each new import.
Iron Bodhisattva Te Guan Yin
Ti Guan Yin is apparently popular both in China and beyond, along with puerhs.
Iron Bodhisattva Te Guanyin is a classic turquoise oolong tea that is highly prized in the Chinese tea tradition. So, when drinking this oolong tea, tea steamers must be used, designed to create optimal conditions for getting to know the aroma of tea.
Benefits of light oolong
In addition to the incredible and magical taste and smell, Te Guan Yin turquoise tea has a number of valuable beneficial properties.
It has a very positive effect on the nervous system, relieving tension and fatigue.
Due to the high content of vitamins and microelements, Iron Bodhisattva helps to restore strength, saturates the body with antioxidants and provides such desired relaxation at the end of the day, plunging the people present at the tea party into a somewhat controlled trance state.