Oolong tea vs. Ceylon tea — which should you drink? Each has separate flavors, benefits, and other characteristics.
Oolong tea refers to tea made from partially oxidized leaves. Based on oxidation, the leaves may be white, green, oolong, or black. Ceylon tea refers to tea from Sri Lanka, which was formerly known as Ceylon. Black is the most popular variety of Ceylon tea, but the region also exports oolong tea.
Along with these differences, you may want to know more about how oolong tea stacks up against Ceylon tea. Here’s a detailed look at these two popular teas.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea originated in China. The name means “black dragon.” It has a unique appearance, with twisted leaves to help add to its complex flavor.
Oolong tea is a partially fermented tea. It has an oxidation level of about 20% to 80%, placing it between green and black tea.
The unique processing method helps give oolong teas a wider spectrum of flavors and aromas compared to other traditional teas. This is part of the reason why we love this tea so much, as each cup contains a variety of flavors to discover.
Ceylon Tea
Ceylon tea refers to tea from a specific region. It’s tea from Sri Lanka (Ceylon). As with oolong tea, it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant.
However, Ceylon tea has a few differences from tea produced in China and other parts of East Asia. The local environmental conditions help give Ceylon tea unique characteristics, including more citrus notes and a full-bodied taste.
Ceylon tea comes in many varieties, including white, green, oolong, and black. Each option has slightly different flavors, aromas, and benefits.
Oolong Tea vs. Ceylon Tea
While oolong tea and Ceylon tea have a lot in common, they can also have very distinct differences. Here’s a detailed comparison of these two wonderful beverages.
Origin and Cultivation
Oolong tea and Ceylon tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is also called the tea plant. Oolongs are a group of teas cultivated to provide a balance between lighter and darker teas.
Oolong tea was first produced in the Fujian province
of China, according to one of the two origin stories of the tea.
The cultivation process for oolong tea is meticulous and labor-intensive. The leaves are carefully plucked by experienced tea pickers. They then bruise the leaves to initiate oxidation, which is a very controlled process.
The leaves are roasted at just the right moment to preserve the flavors and other qualities. The leaves are then sorted and graded.
The history of Ceylon tea goes back almost 200 years. A tea plant was brought from China in 1824. Seeds eventually made their way to individual plantations, leading to the emergence of the Sri Lankan tea industry.
The cultivation process for Ceylon tea is comparable to the traditional cultivation process for oolong teas. The tea leaves are harvested by experienced tea pickers. However, instead of twisting the leaves, they roll them.
The leaves are then allowed to wither during the oxidation process. Ceylon tea may be white, green, oolong, or black, depending on the oxidation level.
Taste and Aroma
Oolong tea is known for its nuanced taste. It has a diverse flavor profile with notes and undertones from a variety of sources.
It’s often described as floral, fruity, woody, grassy, or herbaceous, depending on the variety. Some of the darker oolong teas are robust and toasty and less fruity or herbaceous.
Traditional oolong tea products mostly come from South China and Taiwan. Ceylon oolong tea has a similar taste to these teas but with a few differences.
First, you’re likely to notice more citrusy notes in Ceylon tea, whether you buy an oolong or black variety of tea. Ceylon tea comes from tea plants grown in the highlands of Sri Lanka. The geographical characteristics lead to a slightly different taste.
While Ceylon tea is often citrusy, oolong teas from China and Taiwan often have more of a vegetal or grassy profile. They also tend to have more delicate floral notes.
The aromas of both drinks really come out during the brewing process. The hot water extracts the flavors and aromas from the tea leaves or tea bags.
Caffeine
Oolong tea and most Ceylon teas have caffeine. Caffeine is found in all parts of the tea plant, including the leaves.
The caffeine content can vary considerably depending on the brand and variety of tea leaves. Oolong tea typically has about 30 to 50 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per eight-ounce serving.
Lightly oxidized oolongs, such as green teas, tend to have less caffeine. Heavily oxidized oolongs tend to have higher caffeine levels.
Of course, your brewing techniques also impact the caffeine level. If you use cooler water or don’t steep the tea for as long, it’s not going to contain as much caffeine.
Black tea, which has more caffeine, can be steeped for longer than other lighter teas. The typical cup of black Ceylon tea has 50 to 90 milligrams of caffeine.
Health Benefits
Ceylon tea and oolong tea offer the same potential health benefits. There’s not much to differentiate the two in this category, as both beverages are rich in antioxidants and served warm, which can help with digestion, heart health, and more.
A lot of the research in this area focuses on the health benefits of tea in general instead of focusing on a specific type. However, Ceylon tea may have a higher concentration of antioxidants. You may get more myricetin, kaempferol, and quercetin with each serving.
The antioxidants in Ceylon tea and oolong tea may help with weight loss and weight management. They could help activate an enzyme responsible for breaking down fat cells. Drinking a green tea variety of Ceylon tea may also help with reductions in body weight and fat mass.
Oolong tea and most varieties of Ceylon tea may also help with your heart health. Studies suggest that drinking tea may lower cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.
Drinking one or both beverages may also help with your digestive health. Warm and hot beverages can relax certain parts of your digestive system, easing stomach problems and aiding the overall digestive process.
Lighter teas, including light oolongs and Celyon green tea, may further aid digestion. These drinks contain polyphenols that can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Adding more of these drinks to your diet may balance your gut microbiome.
A balanced gut microbiome is linked to additional health benefits. A diverse microbiome can improve nutrient absorption. This means that you get more of the nutrients from the foods and drinks that you consume.
A healthy gut also improves your immune response. You may boost your immune system and increase your protection against illnesses, such as the cold and flu.
Your gut health also impacts weight management and blood sugar regulation. Drinking more oolong tea or Ceylon tea may improve your metabolism and reduce the risk of insulin resistance.
The health benefits of oolong tea and Ceylon tea are truly fantastic. Both beverages are a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.
Drinking more oolong tea or Ceylon tea may help with your overall health by making it easier to cut back on sugary drinks. If you drink lots of soda pop, coffee drinks, and other sugar-filled beverages, switching to tea can help cut calories. You’ll also gain access to the health benefits discussed, from better heart health to weight management.
Brewing Techniques
You can brew Ceylon tea and oolong tea using the same steps. You steep the tea in very hot water for several minutes.
The main concern when brewing oolong tea is the water temperature. Avoid scorching the tea with boiling water, as it tends to ruin the taste. The recommended water temperature is 180 to 200 degrees.
You can let the water come to a boil when brewing darker tea, such as black Ceylon tea. The leaves are not as sensitive to hot temperatures. In fact, you typically want to steep black tea longer to fully unlock the flavors and caffeine.
If you’re not familiar with the steps involved in brewing tea, here’s a quick recap. You first need to heat water. After the water reaches the desired temperature, preheat your teapot.
The easiest way to preheat your teapot is to use some of the water that you just heated. Swirl the water around for a few seconds and pour it out. Next, add your tea leaves or tea bags.
Slowly pour the hot water over the leaves or tea bags to start steeping the tea. The steeping time depends on the variety of tea and your preferences. Steeping for longer brings out more of the flavors, resulting in a stronger cup of tea.
However, over-steeping can have some of the same effects as using boiling water. If you steep the tea too long, it may taste bitter or burnt.
With oolong tea, you should steep for about three to five minutes. Black tea should be steeped for longer.
You can also try using a shorter steeping time but with multiple infusions. For example, you may try steeping for just one minute during the first infusion.
After enjoying a cup of tea, add hot water to the pot and steep again. Gradually increase the steeping time with each infusion to keep bringing out more of the flavors. Experiment to find what works best for your tastes.
Cost and Convenience
The cost of oolong tea and Ceylon tea can vary significantly. High-quality traditional oolong teas can be quite expensive, especially when they have unique flavors or a special cultivation process. Rare and aged oolongs also tend to cost more.
However, you can also find affordable oolong teas. Most Ceylon tea products are also relatively affordable. Of course, the cost can vary based on the grade and the elevation at which the tea was grown. Tea grown higher in the Sri Lankan highlands often commands a higher price.
Ceylon tea is popular enough that you may find it at your local grocery store. However, you may not always find oolong varieties of Ceylon tea. Oolong isn’t the most common choice, as many people prefer to go with green or black tea. This means that you may need to buy your tea online.
Along with buying tea, you need to consider the convenience of preparing it. Traditional oolong teas require a more careful brewing process. You need to use a specific water temperature range and multiple infusions to truly bring out the flavors.
Yet, the extra consideration involved is worth it. Oolongs have a distinct range of flavors that darker and lighter varieties of tea cannot match.
Cultural Relevance
Oolong tea is an important cultural symbol in the regions where it originated. It’s an essential part of traditional tea ceremonies and the overall tea culture of East Asia, particularly in China and Taiwan.
Oolong tea has been cultivated and consumed in China for many centuries. It’s also become important in Taiwanese culture, as several famous oolong varieties come from the island. It’s often served during social gatherings and important ceremonies.
Ceylon tea is also an important part of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Ceylon was, at one point, a British colony. The introduction of tea plantations altered the island’s economy and landscape.
Tea is now connected to the island’s identity and is part of the daily lives of most Sri Lankans. The country has a strong tea-drinking culture. It’s often served in homes, workplaces, and social gatherings. Sharing tea is considered a gesture of warmth and hospitality.
Conclusion
Oolong is a type of tea based on oxidation levels, while Ceylon tea refers to any tea from Sri Lanka. This may include oolong tea.
The main difference between oolong Ceylon tea and Chinese or Taiwanese oolong tea is the flavor. Ceylon tea has a slightly more pronounced citrusy flavor. It can also be a little more full-bodied.
In the end, if you’ve tried other oolong teas and want to expand your palate, I’d recommend giving some of the Ceylon tea varieties a try.