Oolong Tea

This represents a variety half way between the green and the black teas, being made after partial fermentation. It is a specialty from the provinces on China's southeast coast: Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan. Named after its creator, is a Chinese tea with unique and distinctive characteristics, produced mainly in Fujian and Guangdong, as well as Taiwan. Its more intricate manufacturing process allows for more interpretations and greater variety.

According to sources, there are two main types of manufacturing in the Fujian province, the ball-rolled style and the strip style. Tieguanyin is the most famous of ball rolled style of tea. In appearance it is small, knobby or ball-shaped and has a pleasing medium green to golden green shade of color.

In the strip style, the oolongs from Wuyi Shan, in northern Fujian province, are darkest brown, green, and gray-brown to dusty grey-black. They appear long, somewhat thick, twisted and have a rich fragrance.

Taiwan produces both black and green teas, but is most famous for their fine oolong teas.  They are said to be very different from those produced in China. For example, Tung Ting Mountain has the perfect elevation and other environmental factors for producing fine teas and has done so since the Qing dynasty. Since the 1800s oolong tea is the most widely exported tea from Taiwan.

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