Organic oolong tea: The characteristics of organic oolong tea, also referred to as blue-green tea, are its bold taste – somewhere between green tea’s light taste and the richer taste of black tea – and its various grades each with its own flavor.  The leaves come

Organic oolong tea

from the tropical evergreen shrub Camellia Sinensis and unlike green tea, organic oolong tea is partially oxidized.  Organic oolong tea has the appearance of small, loose green balls which are roasted and dried before being packed.

Organic oolong tea’s health benefits

In comparison with green tea organic oolong tea may have less health benefits but is own repertoire still contains many life-enhancing qualities.

§  Organic oolong tea can facilitate weight loss as it promotes the burning of fat to obtain energy.  One of its components is catechin, a polyphenolic antioxidant that is active in burning calories.  Oolong tea encourages fat metabolism and thereby prevents obesity and assist in weight loss

§  The antioxidants contained in organic oolong tea prevents the development of free radicals and the damage that they could cause to the body.  The tea promotes healthy skin and helps to fight cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s diseasae.

§  Research indicates that organic oolong tea encourages metabolism and contributes to a healthy immune system.

§  Oolong tea prevents cardiovascular disease as it helps to reduce cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels as both of these can lead to various types of heart disease.  Consistently high levels of triglyceride could lead to obesity and apart from preventing this, oolong tea also fights high blood pressure especially if it is consumed on a regular basis.

§  Type 2 diabetics patients can benefit from organic oolong tea as research indicates that it reduces plasma glucose and fructosamine concentrations by as much and 30% and 20% respectively.  As an organic treatment for type 2 diabetes, organic oolong tea can definitely be highly recommended.

§  Some of the other health benefits of oolong tea is that it prevents skin disease such as Atopic dermatitis (AD) and helps to build good bone structure and healthy teeth.  The polyphenols in organic oolong tea is highly beneficial to reducing stress.

Technique for brewing organic oolong tea

The two supplying countries of oolong tea are China and Taiwan with connoisseurs recommending Formosa tea, which originates from Taiwan, as the superior organic oolong tea. Find more about what is oolong tea.

The leaves of oolong tea can be steeped various times after its first infusion and the taste just seems to increase in flavor every time.  The caffeine content in the tea decreases with further infusions and will increase the health benefits that will be gained.  After the first steeping, add more water and leave the tea to brew for a few minutes longer each time.  On average, six minutes seems to be a good period for the leaves to brew but tea-lovers should try out different times to see what flavors emerge until they find their favorite combination.

To successfully make a pot of oolong tea the following steps can be followed:

§  Depending on whether you are going to use cups or mugs for drinking the tea, use six to eight ounces of water or ten to twelve ounces of water respectively.

§  Boil the water with whatever means you have available

§  Measure out the amount of tea leaves you are going to need, allowing for approximately one teaspoon or three grams of leaves per cup or mug.

§  Add the leaves to the container in which you are going to steep the oolong tea.

§  Remove the boiled from the heat and let it cool for a period of half a minute 45 seconds or to reduce its heat to around 180 – 190 degrees Fahrenheit.  Obviously room temperature will play a role in the length of the cooling period, but it should never be too long.

§  Pour the water into the vessel containing the tea leaves

§  Allow the leaves to steep for approximately four minutes

§  Fill the drinking vessels you have prepared with the tea, excluding the leaves

§  The tea can be sweetened to taste with honey or sugar

§  Enjoy the flavor and aroma of your oolong tea and keep in mind its many health benefits – a wonderful way to relax after a stressful day.

Although organic oolong tea are also available in tea bags, loose leaves are better to use since the manufacturers of the tea bag variety often use leaves of a lower quality and the bags don’t allow sufficient space for the leaves to move and steep properly.  Increased contact with water leads to the leaves emitting more flavor and antioxidants.

Weight loss benefits of organic oolong tea

The search for healthy and effective weight loss methods continue and organic oolong tea has become a popular option because of its weight reduction benefits combined with its great flavor and aroma.

A blending of green and black tea, oolong tea and wu yi oolong tea are some of the most expensive teas available on the market.  But make sure that you purchase the real thing since there are many cheaper, fake versions doing the rounds.  If the price seems ridiculously low, you may not be buying the tea that you were looking for and will be losing out on the great natural weight-loss benefits and increased metabolism offered by true organic oolong tea as feature in commercials and TV shows such as Oprah!

Other benefits of organic oolong tea or wu long and wu yi tea as it is also known in the west are that it prevents facial wrinkles and other signs of aging and improves the tone and appearance of your skin.