Wu Long Tea – Helpful Information
Wu long is known around the world as a delicious, light tea with barely any caffeine. However, it is also known under a variety of names, including oolong (the most popular name) and Wu-Yi tea. Wu long tea has always been popular in the Orient but is recently in demand in the West as a diet aid. In England, the multi-named tea is in demand because of the taste and its low caffeine content.
Wu Long Tea – What Is It?
Wu long tea is made of the same tea leaves as green tea and black tea, but has been processed differently, to add a slightly nutty and more delicate flavor. Green tea is made directly from the leaves of the tea bush, Camellia sinensis. Black tea has been roasted and dried and sometimes blended with other flavors. But wu long tea leaves have been sun or air dried, then rolled and bruised, then only partially cooked. It is this intensive process that explains why wu long tea is more expensive than black teas or green teas.
Oolong tea is an acquired taste. I was given a bag of loose, curly leaves (sometimes called ?black dragon? or ?dragon whiskers?) and made a cup. This is a very light but smooth tea that lacks the bitterness of green tea but yet lacks much in the way of flavor. I have never really gotten used to it, and prefer black, green and herbal teas to oolong. But if you need a low-caffeine hot drink soothing to the stomach, then oolong tea is a great choice.
Wu Long Tea – Can You Really Lose Weight Drinking It?
No, you can?t loose weight JUST by drinking wu long tea, no matter what all the advertisements say. You still have to eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. You should also cut back on dehydrating, sugary drinks like coffee, soda and cocoa. Black tea is a healthier choice than coffee or cocoa, but still has caffeine that you may have to watch out for (depending on your diet). By drinking healthier beverages which can certainly include wu long tea, you are taking in more nourishment at fewer calories.
You usually cannot get this tea in bags, because of its shape ? you really need to get it loose. You need about two teaspoons per cup of hot (not boiling) water. It?s easier to just put the curled ?whiskers? in the cup if you are not making a pot, then pour the hot water in. The whiskers will not fit in a tea ball. Steep from three to five minutes before drinking in sips.
By Home And Garden Editor
