Oolong, or Wu Long as it is also known, Tea is grown in the mountainous Fujian Province of China and in Taiwan. This is definitely tea for the connoisseur, being handpicked, lightly fermented, hand rolled and then dried with great care.

The resulting tea is more akin to the green teas of china than the black teas, with the advantage of having a less ‘vegetal’ and more flavorsome taste than green tea.

History of Oolong Tea in China

It is said that Oolong Tea goes back 400 years, to the end of the Ming Dynasty, a time of great cultural development and invention in Chinese History. It was first grown in the area of Mount Wu Yi Shan in Fujian Province and later spread throughout Asia.

Nutritional Aspects of Oolong (Wu Long) Teas

Oolong tea is rich in enzymes that help break down foods so that they are more efficiently metabolized. For this reason it has been claimed by some to be a slimming aid.

Oolong is rich in minerals, including Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, Copper and Fluorine. In addition, it contains Carotene and Lutein, powerful anti-oxidants. It is a source of ant-oxidising vitamins A, B and, C and contains detoxifying alkaloids such as Theine, Theophyline, Theobromine, and amino acid

Theanine which is reputed to be calming.

Article by: Suite101.com