In fact, wu yi tea is oolong tea. But not all oolong tea is wu yi tea. This may sound a bit confusing. Let’s talk about the various teas and then you will understand.
Camellia sinensis is the plant for which all real teas are harvested. The final product, or variety, depends on how it is processed.
Black tea is the most popular. At least 75% of all tea produced is black tea. The tea leaves are left out to wither after harvesting. They are then rolled using one of two methods: orthodox or CTC (cut, tear, curl). Both methods release more moisture, but CTC crushes the leaves more because a machine is used.
After rolling, the leaves are left in a cool, damp spot, all spread out to oxidize. They go from a greenish color to a browner, amber color. Hot air is used to dry them. The tea is eventually sorted based on the leaf size and divided up into various grades of tea.
Green tea goes through a similar process, however the oxidation step is left out which allows the leaves to remain green. Instead, after the tea is dried, it is steamed to stop the oxidation process. This also helps maintain the integrity of the nutrients in green tea, though black tea also retains some of its nutritional value. Green tea is rather grassy in flavor due to the lack of oxidation.
White tea is the rarest, once only reserved for Chinese nobility. The reason behind this is that it can only be harvested a couple days per year. White tea comes from the tea plant before the bud has fully opened. It is then processed like green tea. It has a very delicate flavor, however, due to its rarity; it is more expensive than other tea varieties.
Oolong tea is between green tea and black tea. Its flavor is similar to black tea; however, it still retains most of its nutritional value. This is because it is not oxidized as much as black tea. It is really a great alternative to the grassy taste of green tea and the lack of nutrients in black tea.
Okay, so why do we call some oolong tea, wu yi tea? Think of it more as a brand name, but perhaps a bit more special. Wu yi tea is oolong tea so named for the chain of mountains where it grows. The Wuyi mountain chain in Northeastern China is home to the Camellia sinensis plant where wu yi tea is harvested.
You can sort of compare the naming to Florida oranges or Washington apples. This northeastern area of China is capable of growing the best tea in the world because of the climate. The soil, cool weather and protection from the mountains produce great tea.
Wu yi tea like white tea was once considered a gift for nobility. It is now available to the rest of the world who have embraced not only its health and weight loss benefits, but also it is gorgeous flavor more akin to black tea.
Find out how the stars are dropping pounds safely and effectively with wu yi tea. Go there now and get your own free e-book by signing up to our amazing newsletter jammed with hints on dieting, exercise and wu yi green tea.




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