Oolong tea: origin and production
Oolong tea originates from the Fujian province in China. It therefore falls into the category of Chinese teas, even though its production also extends to Taiwan, Ceylon, and the island of Java. It is characterized by limited production runs of exceptional quality. Some oolongs are rare teas sought after by enthusiasts from around the world.
Chinese oolong tea
Blue tea has its origins in China, in the Fujian province. This mountainous region located in southeastern China has a humid and warm climate in summer and mild winters. The region is bordered to the east by the Taiwan Strait. The term Oolong literally means Black Dragon and refers to an ancient Chinese legend about the origin of oolong tea. Chinese oolong tea is very close to green tea and, like it, has a low theine content.
Taiwanese oolong tea
The coastal islands facing China on the other side of the strait form the Taiwanese province of Fujian. Although this province is currently under Taiwanese administration, it belonged to China until the declaration of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The islands' inhabitants are therefore mostly people originally from Chinese Fujian, who have preserved their native dialect as well as the oolong tea tradition. Taiwanese oolong tea offers bold aromas close to black tea, due to a longer fermentation process.
Other producers: oolong tea from Ceylon, Java, or Korea
The very intense competition on the black tea market and the explosion in global green tea consumption have pushed some tea-producing countries to take an interest in blue tea. This is the case, for example, with Ceylon, which has begun to produce and export oolong tea. Highly exclusive productions can also be found in South Korea and on the island of Java. The tea produced is of great rarity and offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
A tea beloved by Chinese tea enthusiasts
Fujian oolong tea is among the best-selling teas in Asia. It is also well known and appreciated by European tea lovers. An aged tea that improves over time, this origin tea offers incomparable flavors.