A blend of Oolong tea leaves and osmanthus petals is a traditional Chinese recipe.
The slightly fruity-grassy Oolong goes perfectly well with the sweet-floral taste of the osmanthus.
The result is a beautifully balanced, aromatic and refreshing brew.
What makes this a great combination?
Oolong (or Wu-Long) is a semi-oxidized type of tea.
Black leaves are fully oxidized while green leaves are not at all.
To produce Oolong teas, the hand-picked leaves are shaken to bruise the edges. This step will start the oxidization of the leaves to the desired degree. Some Oolongs are just slightly oxidized and maintain their green appearance while others resemble more black teas leaves (see picture below).
What all good quality Oolongs have in common is an unmatched complexity and depth of flavor.
The aromas are only released with the repeated brewing of the same leaves. Each infusion will taste slightly different and therefore provide an almost sensual drinking experience.
By adding tiny osmanthus petals, the tea becomes visually more attractive, and it enhances the flavor profile.
The Oolong has an intriguing sweet-floral, almost citrus-like taste. It is fragrant and complex throughout the 2-4 infusions.
What are the Health Benefits?
The Chinese name of this tea is Gui Hua Wu-Long.
Besides the long-lasting aromas, the infusions yield a wealth of health properties.
Like all teas, Oolongs have a high amount of antioxidants which can prevent heart diseases and stroke.
It is particularly effective in lowering cholesterol.
The caffeine in all teas stimulate the central nervous system and therefore improve focus and concentration without making you jumpy.
Oolongs also contain vitamin C and fluoride which help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
What does it cost?
As a rule, Oolong teas are not cheap.
Labor intensive production, high quality, and limited availability contribute to a higher price level than other teas.
But what you get in return might be just the most flavorsome cup of tea you ever tasted.
Also, keep in mind that Oolongs are designed for multiple infusions. Therefore you can divide the cost by the possible infusions and the resulting price per cup might not be much higher than that of other good teas.
This Osmanthus Oolong tea is an affordable piece of luxury with added health benefits.
