Oolong tea myths

Tea has been around for the last four and a half thousand years, since it was first sipped in legends by the mythical Emperor Shen Nong. As a (now) dedicated tea drinker, I’ve decided that I want to learn more about its rich history, health benefits and how to brew it properly. So I went along to The Tea Centre in Sydney to learn more about Oolong tea.

We were joined by David Lyon, who gave us a crash course in how tea is picked (only women can do it, as men are likely to crush the leaves- though I think this might just be an excuse), where it is grown, how to brew it and some of the health properties.

Oolong tea became famous a few years ago when Oprah claimed there was a tea that had powerful weight loss properties and by drinking it you could lose 10 pounds (four and half kilos) in six weeks. This miracle tea was ‘Wu Long’, which the reports claimed came from an area called ‘Mount Wu Yi Shan’.

However, this doesn’t narrow it down, as there are a number of different types grown in this area. These include:

Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy)
Shui Hisen (Water Sprite)
Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe)
Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle)
Bai Ji Guan (White Cockscomb)

Oolong tea appeared about 400 years ago, in the Wu Yi Mountains in the Fujian Province. It then made its way to Taiwan in the 1800s- the story goes that 36 plants were brought back from China by the scholar Ling Fong Chi. He gave away 32 of these plants and kept four for himself, but all 36 of them are believed to have been planted on Dong Ding Mountain.

Even in these areas, Oolong tea ranges from green to almost black, depending on how it is prepared. Dung Ti (Taiwan) is a delicate, almost green tea that is only about 20 percent oxidised, while Fancy Oolong (also from Taiwan) is about 80 percent oxidised and resembles black tea, though with a lighter flavour. You can even blend it with other flavours- the last tea we tried, Mellow Cream, is mixed with almond pieces, mallow blossoms and safflowers.

And what it’s ‘miracle’ health benefits?
Oolong tea is certainly full of enzymes that help break down food and aid our digestion. It also contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and polyphenols (antioxidants), which have been attributed to lowering the risk of heart disease and reducing certain types of cancer.

But like everything, it needs to be drunk as part of a healthy lifestyle if you want to lose weight. Unfortunately, there’s no fat blasting wonder-tea. But we can still dream.

By Laura Boness

Image: Laura Boness