What is Oolong Tea?

Fruity and fragrant, Oolong tea is a true tea; combining the properties and the health benefits of both black teas and green teas. Read our guide to Oolong tea to know more about the basics of this Chinese tea, and keep reading to find out some great advantages of adding a hot cuppa to your day!

Where Does Oolong Tea Come From?

Traditionally grown in China, the Black Dragon Tea as it’s also known, gives you the character of black tea with the delicate taste of green tea. Although the tea is harvested from the Camellia Sinensis, the same plant as black and green teas, its flavour is unique. Oolong gets its delicate taste from the semi-fermentation process it goes through and still retains its freshness. 

Oolong Tea for your Heart

Drinking a cup of Oolong tea is known to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Much like drinking black and green teas, the combined properties in Oolong tea is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as it’s known to lower cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of the tea has also been linked with a reduction in lowering blood pressure, thus decreasing the risk of strokes.

Oolong Tea for Weight Loss

The daily consumption of this traditional Chinese concoction could also aid weight loss since it contains little to no calories. It also makes you feel satiated by boosting your metabolism, so the urge to binge-eat is minimised, thus having an effect on your overall weight. In addition to increasing your metabolism, the polyphenols present in Oolong tea aids in inducing weight loss.

Oolong helps with Digestion

A cup of Oolong tea is known to help with digestion. Acting as a mild disinfectant, Oolong tea can clear bad bacteria from your digestive tract, thereby reducing inflammation from acid reflux and ulcers. The smoother flavour of a hot brew of Oolong tea is soothing and calming for the stomach.

Oolong Tea Improves Bone Health

Fluoride found in Oolong tea is used in dental hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash and is even added to mineral water for the health benefits it carries. The antioxidants found in Oolong tea can also reduce dental plaque and improve the quality of tooth enamel. The consumption of Oolong tea is also known to increase bone density.

Oolong Tea for Cholesterol

Oolong tea has properties which helps lower cholesterol and improves overall heart health as cholesterol can result in cardiovascular diseases. Since Oolong is only semi-oxidised, it contains polyphenol molecules which activate the enzyme lipase that breaks down fat. A study found that the people who drank at least 295ml a day had a lower risk of getting heart diseases in the future. 

Oolong Tea for Skin Health

The polyphenols in Oolong tea can help relieve skin conditions like eczema. A study showed that the daily consumption of Oolong tea can improve skin health and prevent eczema symptoms when combined with regular medical treatment. The antioxidants in Oolong tea might also help combat acne, blemishes, wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Instead of drinking Oolong, you can even apply it topically to benefit the skin. Simply brew the tea leaves in water and once cooled, use the tea to cleanse your face. 

Oolong Tea for Hair Health

Being rich in antioxidants, drinking Oolong tea can aid in preventing hair loss and promote overall hair health. However, if applied topically the tea also nourishes the hair and makes it look silkier. If you want to use it as a hair conditioner, simply brew your tea (or add reused tea leaves) but make sure they are not too old and still have some aroma. Once brewed, let it cool and apply it on your hair once you have finished using shampoo and conditioner before giving it one final rinse. 

Oolong Tea and Brain Function

Recent studies have shown that drinking Oolong tea can help maintain brain function and offset the risk of developing brain cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's. The caffeine found in the tea can increase the release of norepinephrine and dopamine which affects the mood, attention and overall brain function. 

Oolong Tea Maintains Overall Wellbeing?

Packed with essential nutrients, one cup of Oolong tea contains many nutrients that are essential to maintaining your wellbeing. These include fluoride, potassium, sodium, caffeine, and manganese. It also contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, theaflavins and EGCG. These antioxidants may help in reducing the risk of developing cancerous cells, preventing gastrointestinal difficulties and strengthening the immunity.

How Much Oolong Tea Should I Drink?

Oolong tea has been enjoyed for centuries and its benefits outweigh its side effects. With that said, Oolong tea does contain some amounts of caffeine, which may have adverse effects like headaches, insomnia, and anxiety, especially with people who are sensitive to caffeine. There are also flavonoids in tea which are found in plant-based products like wine and tea. However, although being a naturally forming compound, it can reduce the absorption of iron by the digestive system and it is advised that people with low iron levels do not drink tea with their meals. 

Despite this, you can drink up to six cups of Oolong tea without worrying about your caffeine intake, however, pregnant women are advised not to consume more than 200mg of caffeine- which is about three-five cups. 

How to make Oolong Tea

To make a cup of Dilmah Oolong tea, follow the below steps:

1. Boil fresh water
2. Add 1 teaspoon of Dilmah Oolong tea into a cup and pour 220ml of water over it.
3. Steep for about 2-3 minutes until it turns bright orange or red.
4. Strain the leaves out.
5. Add sweeteners like honey if preferred.

If you want a twist on a cup of Oolong tea, try this Traditional Oolong Sparkling Cold Brew. 

Ingredients

• Dilmah Traditional Oolong Tea
• 350ml Soda
• 10ml Honey

Method and Direction 

• In a jug, add 4g Dilmah Traditional Oolong Tea (2 tea bags), 350ml soda and 10ml honey
• Refrigerate for 12 hours
• Strain the tea leaves, pour and serve!

If you are planning a special occasion, try making one of our Oolong tea-infused cocktails like this Oolong Marteani.

Ingredients

• 60ml Vodka
• 50ml Dilmah Single Estate Oolong Tea
• 1 scoop Oolong sorbet (recipe below)
• Oolong Tea sorbet
• 1l water
• 200g glucose
• 100g granulated sugar
• 150g Dilmah Single Estate Oolong Tea
• 30g Gelatine Powder

Method and Directions

• Shake all the ingredients
• Pour onto the Oolong sorbet in the martini glass. Garnish with tea leaves.

Oolong Tea sorbet

• Boil water, sugar, glucose and Dilmah Oolong Tea until boiled and the tea is reduced.
• Soak the gelatin in cold water and melt the soaked gelatine in the microwave. Pour this into the mixture.
• Strain the Dilmah Oolong Tea mixture and put into the ice cream machine for about 10 minutes.
• After the mixture has frozen, keep in the freezer 1 night before use.

Enjoy a delicious brew of Dilmah’s selection of Oolong teas, whether the T-Series VSRT Single Estate Oolong or Vivid Springtime Oolong with Ginger.