Oolong tea

Neither entirely black nor entirely green, oolong tea is more commonly known as "blue tea" or "blue-green tea." In China, it is also called "wu long," which means "black dragon," referring to the dark hue taken on by certain dried tea leaves. At Betjeman & Barton, oolong tea comes in many delicate vintages from China, Taiwan, Korea, Java, and Thailand. Our tea house allows you to (re)discover the uniqueness of this tea color through infusions with varied dominant notes, capable of pleasing both connoisseurs and beginners.

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Oolong tea

Discovering oolong tea, between an original manufacturing process and a rich aromatic palette

Among classic teas, oolong tea is distinguished mainly by its degree of oxidation. It is in fact a semi-oxidized tea, unlikeblack teathat it is entirely andgreen teawhich is not at all. Incomplete, its oxidation varies between 10 and 70%, depending on the know-how specific to each plantation as well as the desired notes, whether they are more vegetal or more woody.

While producing a low-oxidation tea involves harvesting young shoots, making a highly oxidized tea requires more mature tea leaves. Thus, theLow-oxidized oolong teas release a low bitternessand vegetal, even floral flavors, while highly oxidized teas echo the woody notes of certain black teas. Medium-oxidized teas, on the other hand, have a more intense bitterness than the former, with a pleasant blend of floral and fruity notes. Moreover, and generally speaking, oolong teas are associated with subtle notes of chestnut that are decidedly pleasant on the palate.

Each oolong tea promises a unique sensory experience. Although little-known in the West for many decades, oolong tea now appeals to a wide audience due to its wide range of flavors. Its low caffeine content also explains its international success, as it can be consumed throughout the day.

Enjoy oolong tea in all its forms with Betjeman & Barton

Our collection of oolong teasbrilliantly reflects the diversity of blue-green tea. The latter is infused in water at 80 or 90 °C for 3 to 7 minutes, depending on the chosen vintage, and also supports several infusions. Sold loose and presented in elegantly designed boxes, our oolong teas also make exceptional gifts for a special event.

In the morning, wake up in a good mood with a cup of“Formosan Lapsang Crocodile” oolong teawith a pronounced smoky taste. This Taiwanese tea is the perfect accompaniment to a sweet and savory English breakfast or Sunday brunch.

At any time of day, succumb to the natural or vegetal notes of ourFormosa oolong teaswith the sweet scent of cinnamon, chestnut or peach blossom. Also travel to Thailand with ourOrganic “Jing Shuan”reserved for insiders, in Korea with ourorganic “Oolong Dragon” green teacombining softness and character or even in Nepal with our vintage"Emerald Green"organic with delicate plant notes.

In the evening, let yourself be lulled by the tangy flavor and chestnut aftertaste of our“Formosa Black Dragon” oolong tea, a great classic from the island of Taiwan to be enjoyed raw, without milk until bedtime thanks to the low concentration of theine characteristic of blue tea.

Oolong tea: frequently asked questions

1. Is oolong tea closer to green tea or black tea?

Neither: oolong is a semi-oxidized tea, halfway between the two. When lightly oxidized, its floral freshness is closer to green tea; when heavily oxidized, it evokes the woody notes of black tea.

2. Which oolong should I choose to start exploring this family?

Our Formosa Grand Oolong, with its notes of dried fruit, or our Black Dragon, with its subtle chestnut aftertaste, are excellent starting points: accessible and representative of the family.

3. Which oolong do you recommend for those who prefer floral notes over woody or roasted ones?

Choose a lightly oxidized oolong, such as our Formosa Jade Green, which is delicate and vegetal with floral notes. Those who prefer woody notes should opt for a Black Dragon instead.

4. How many times can you re-steep oolong tea?

This is one of the great advantages of oolong: its leaves can easily be re-steeped four to six times, revealing new aromatic facets with each infusion.

5. Does oolong tea contain a lot of caffeine? Can it be drunk throughout the day?

Oolong generally offers a cup with a moderate caffeine content: it can therefore be enjoyed throughout the day, depending on the variety and your personal preferences.

6. How do you prepare oolong using multiple infusions (the gong fu cha method)?

This method involves steeping a large quantity of leaves in a small vessel (teapot or gaiwan) using very short, repeated infusions. Start with a few seconds, then gradually increase the time: each cup unveils a new expression of the tea.

7. Are your oolong teas available in organic versions?

Yes, our collection includes organic oolongs, such as our Thailand Jing Shuan or our Korea Dragon Oolong.