The best black dragon oolong teas come from China’s most famous oolong-producing area, Fujian Province. The area offers the best variety of black dragon tea leaves worldwide. Oolong tea’s range falls between black and green teas.
The flavor and color of oolong teas vary with their color and texture. Hence, oolong teas have different tastes and flavors. But usually, tea merchants indicate the different types of oolong teas for tea lovers, so you can easily pick out what you are looking for.
Tea merchants set the range of oolong teas using oxidation levels. Since oolong teas are oxidized teas, it makes perfect sense to do so. It is also easier to use their oxidation percentages to differentiate them.
If you want to discern black dragon oolong tea, it is usually darker than other varieties of oolong tea. It has an oxidation level of 40%.
Black dragon teas are tightly rolled when you buy them. But the tea leaves slowly return to their original state when you begin brewing them.
How Can I Brew Oolong Tea?
If you do not know where to get oolong loose-leaf tea, you can get it in most cafes and restaurants. You can get it in tea bags or as loose leaves. When you get home, you can boil your water and prepare your loose leaf or tea bag.
I advise that you use water that is just about to boil. I suggest that your water temperature be around 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
I prefer you use this temperature range because you get the best out of your oolong leaves. This temperature is just right for you to extract all the oolong leaves have to offer without chemically breaking them down. If you want to enjoy all the benefits of oolong tea, I recommend that you steep your tea for two to three minutes.
If you are confident in your brewing skills, you can also try the popular Tieguanyin oolong style of brewing.
What Are the Benefits of Oolong Teas?
Oolong teas have various varieties since they fall in the category between black tea and green tea. And because it falls between two tea profiles, it embodies the best of both. Hence, the oolong tea profile you choose also determines the health benefits you will enjoy.
However, in this section, you will learn the general health benefits you should expect from a selection of oolong teas.
Oolong tea contains several antioxidants that you can get from drinking green and black tea. Antioxidants are vital nutrients we need in our bodies. They protect us and our cells by slowing the effects of aging and the damage that comes with it.
Our lifestyles and environments are also great contributors to the health of our cells. Naturally, you will not feel the damage your cells underwent in your early years of life.
But when you begin to grow older, you become susceptible to chronic diseases.
Most teas have essential antioxidants, but you can only get the best from oolong tea. It is little wonder why it is one of the world’s most favorite teas. Furthermore, oolong teas have more potent antioxidants that have a significant effect than green and black tea.
Oolong tea does more than protect your cells from wear and tear. I am sure that when you get a complete overview of what this tea is capable of, you will want a cup tomorrow. Hence, turn your eyes to the following sections for a proper understanding of oolong tea’s health benefits:
Less Risk of Developing Diabetes
Oolong tea can lower your blood sugar levels. It can also reduce insulin intolerance, a condition that prevents the body from using blood sugars properly.
High blood sugar and insulin intolerance are the primary contributors to diabetes and other conditions like obesity. Hence, drinking oolong tea can improve your chances against these death traps.
Improved Heart Health
Are you having trouble with your heart? No problem; oolong tea might be the addition you need to your diet. Oolong tea breaks down fats in your blood. Hence, the magnificent tea reduces the chances of your arteries getting thick and clogged, lowering your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
This great feature of oolong tea also protects you from other heart-related diseases. Oolong tea is an expert at lowering your cholesterol levels, another major contributor to heart complications.
Oolong Tea Triggers Weight Loss
There is a reason oolong tea has been around for generations. While researching this wondrous tea, I discovered that it also triggers weight loss.
You should have seen the look on my face. The numbers oolong tea holds are simply outstanding. You can lose up to 3.4% of your calories and body fat without going to the gym. There is absolutely no way you will develop obesity while drinking this tea.
Provides Cognitive Support
Are you stressed at night and cannot sleep? That is just another reason why oolong tea is what your body needs for premium sleep.
Oolong tea can improve your brain activity, a factor that is directly linked to better quality sleep. You do not have to keep your stress levels high anymore. While oolong tea puts you to sleep, it decreases your stress and anxiety levels. If you drink a cup of oolong tea every day, your brain will be in good hands.
Oolong tea has properties that prevent neurodegenerative diseases that can cause your nervous system to shut down.
Although we do not have proof yet, scientists are trying to find a link between oolong tea and its potential to prevent degenerative diseases. Would it not be outstanding if oolong tea could prevent cognitive declines like dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Essential Nutrients
Oolong tea is also amazing at providing your body with the essential minerals and vitamins it needs to function properly.
Oolong tea has fluoride in amounts that are capable of improving dental health. Oolong tea can prevent cavities and the formation of plaque. Oolong tea can also reduce the risk of losing teeth or developing oral cancer.
If you need a rundown of the nutrients oolong tea can give you, below is a comprehensive list for you:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Sodium
- Niacin
Although oolong tea is a dream come true for various users, I do not suggest you consume it in high amounts. I’m sure you already know that too much of everything results in disaster. Hence, ensure you limit the amount of oolong tea you drink in a day.
If you keep on drinking oolong tea leaves in high amounts, you can get adverse effects like increased heart rate, irritability, and insomnia.
Some of the very issues you were trying to solve.
Is Green Tea the Same as Black Dragon Oolong Teas?
Although green tea and black dragon tea are made from the same tea leaves, their characteristics are distinct. Black dragon tea leaves are slightly more oxidized than green tea leaves. It is all in the production process. Both tea types are processed very differently.
During production, black dragon tea leaves are exposed to the air for a little longer than green tea leaves.
The choice of how tea turns out depends on the tea master. If they want to produce oolong tea, they allow it to oxidize in the air slightly longer, but not as long as black tea. Whatever the tea maker decides, that is how the tea turns out.
Since oolong falls in between green and black tea, the tea maker can choose to have an oolong tea with green or black tea flavor profiles.
That is why you can get oolong teas with a green tea flavor profile and taste, as well as black tea. Since the tea maker wants to make black dragon oolong tea, they will allow the tea to air out and ferment to almost the point of becoming black tea. But do not allow your tea to change to black tea entirely. That is if you want to produce your tea personally.
Black dragon oolong tea has a deeper and richer flavor profile that resembles black tea.
Properly oxidized black dragon tea can have powerful antioxidants unique to oxidized teas. However, you should not expect antioxidants like catechins, which are only unique to unoxidized teas.
Green tea offers a fresh, earthy taste. Black dragon oolong tea tends to have a more toasted aroma.
