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乌龙茶 (wu long cha) oolong tea Oolong (Chinese: 烏龍; Hanyu Pinyin: wūlóng) is a traditional Chinese type of tea somewhere in between green and black in oxidation. Although it has a taste more akin to green tea than to black tea, it does not have the stridently grassy vegetal notes that typify green tea. The best Oolong has a nuanced flavor profile. It should be brewed strong and bitter, yet leave one's mouth with a faintly sweet aftertaste. The term "oolong" means "black dragon" or "black snake" in Chinese; various legends describe the origin of this curious name. In one legend, the owner of a tea plantation was scared away from his drying tea leaves by the appearance of a black snake; when he cautiously returned several days later, the leaves had been oxidized by the sun and gave a delightful brew. Another tale tells of a man named Wu Liang (later corrupted to Wu Long, or Oolong) who discovered oolong tea by accident when he was distracted by a deer after a hard day's tea-picking, and by the time he remembered about the tea it had already started to oxidise. Others say that the tea is called "oolong" because the leaves look like little black dragons which wake when you pour hot water on them. "Oolong" tea leaves are distinguished, when dried, by their black thread-like appearance. Oolong tea is the type of tea most commonly served in Chinese restaurants, to accompany dim sum and other Chinese food. Tea connoisseurs classify the tea by its aroma (often fragrant or flowery), taste and aftertaste (often melony). Oolong tea undergoes a few delicate processes in order to produce the unique aroma and taste. Typical Oolong tea is processed according to the following steps: Wilting (萎凋 wěidiāo). Sun dry or air dry to remove some mositure. Yao-Qing (摇青 yáoqīng). To bruise the edge of the tea leaf to create more contacting surface for oxidization. Rou-Qing (揉青 róuqīng). The tea leaves are tumbled for the next stage. Sa-Qing (杀青 shāqīng). Process to stop further oxidization. Depending on the quality of the leaves, they will be fried either by hand (for premium tea) or by machinery. Cooling Drying. To remove excessive moisture. Grading Packaging (text exerpt borrowed from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong) If you have never tried an oolong tea, please accept my invitation to have a free sample of any of the teas on the list. Our current oolong teas and prices: 1。 铁观音（清香）一 TIE GUAN YIN (QING XIANG) Iron Goddess of Mercy, Light Aroma 1 $16.51/LB, $1.03/OZ 2。 铁观音（清香）二 TIE GUAN YIN (QING XIANG) Iron Goddess of Mercy, Light Aroma 2 $19.82/LB, $1.24/OZ 3。 铁观音（浓香) TIE GUAN YIN (NONG XIANG) Iron Goddess of Mercy, Strong Aroma $19.82/LB, $1.24/OZ 4。 阿里山茶 A'LI SHAN CHA Sacred Place on the Mountain Tea $33.03/LB, $2.06/OZ 5。 梨山茶 LI SHAN CHA Apricot Mountain Tea $52.85/LB, $3.30/OZ 6。 冻顶乌龙 DONG DING WU LONG Frozen Summit Oolong $24.22/LB, $1.51/OZ 7。 金宣茶 JIN XUAN CHA Golden Proclamation Tea $18.72/LB, $1.17/OZ 8。 大红袍 DA HONG PAO Scarlet Lady (lit. Big Red Dress) $39.63/LB, $2.48/OZ 9。 水仙 SHUI XIAN Narcissus (lit. Water Immortal) $15.41/LB, $0.96/OZ 10。 肉桂 ROU GUI Hearty Cassia $20.92/LB, $1.31/OZ 11。 凤凰单枞 FENG HUANG DAN CONG Phoenix of the Forest $19.82/LB, $1.24/OZ SPECIAL OOLONG TEA 特别乌龙茶 (te bie wu long cha) These are scented Oolongs, adding the rich flavours of osmanthus flowers, licorice root, or ginseng to already very special Oolong teas. 23。 桂花：铁观音 GUI HUA: TIE GUAN YIN Sweet Osmanthus (Cinnamon Flower) Scented Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong $22.02/LB, $1.38/OZ 24。 桂花乌龙 GUI HUA WU LONG Sweet Osmanthus (Cinnamon Flower) Scented Oolong $15.41/LB, $0.96/OZ 25。 兰贵人 LAN GUI REN Lady of the Orchids (lit. Orchid Honorable Person) $17.62/LB, $1.10/OZ

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page last updated: 01/22/06