Oolong Tea: What Is It and Which One Should You Choose?
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Oolong tea: what is it and which one to choose?
Less well known than green or black tea, Oolong nevertheless offers an astonishing diversity: floral, sweet, roasted, honeyed, woody, or even malty. Here is how to understand this family of teas and choose the one that suits your tastes.
You probably know green tea and black tea. But when the word Oolong appears on a box of tea, things often become less obvious. Is it a green tea? A black tea? A blend of the two?
In reality, Oolong — also written as Wulong — constitutes a major family of teas in its own right. Its appeal comes notably from the very great freedom left to the producer in working the leaf.
This is precisely why two Oolongs can have extremely different tastes.
What is Oolong tea?
Like green tea, black tea, white tea, or Pu-erh, Oolong comes from the Camellia sinensis tea plant.
The difference comes mainly from the way the leaves are processed after harvest.
In the case of Oolong, the oxidation of the leaves is deliberately controlled and interrupted during production.
It is therefore commonly referred to as partially oxidized tea.
Oolong, green tea and black tea: what is the difference?
| Family | Processing | Common profile | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tea | Oxidation quickly stopped after harvest | Vegetal, fresh, marine, sweet, or slightly umami | Fans of freshness and finesse |
| Oolong | Partial oxidation and highly variable processing depending on the style | Floral, fruity, roasted, honeyed, woody, nutty | Curious people and fans of evolving teas |
| Black tea | Extensive oxidation before final drying | Malty, full-bodied, fruity, woody, or spicy | Fans of more intense cups |
What does Oolong taste like?
This is precisely the question that cannot be answered with a single flavor.
The Oolong family covers an extremely vast palette.
Light Oolongs
They can develop floral, fresh, sweet, and sometimes creamy characteristics. They often appeal to people who enjoy green teas but want more roundness.
More roasted Oolongs
They can evoke hazelnut, roasted cereals, wood, honey, or slightly toasted notes.
Deeper Oolongs
Some profiles become more amber, malty, or warm and can appeal to those who usually like black teas.
Does Oolong contain caffeine?
Yes.
Oolong comes from Camellia sinensis and therefore naturally contains caffeine, commonly called tea caffeine when talking about tea.
However, it would be incorrect to say that all Oolongs systematically contain less or more caffeine than a green tea or a black tea.
The actual amount present in the cup depends on many factors: the leaf used, the cultivar, the amount of tea, the water temperature, the steeping time, and the number of infusions.
Why are Oolong leaves often rolled?
Some Oolongs are recognizable by their leaves rolled into small pearls or compact balls.
Others, on the contrary, feature long twisted leaves.
This shaping is part of the producer's work. It influences the structure of the leaf and the way it unfurls during steeping.
It is also one of the reasons why watching the leaves of an Oolong open up gradually can be particularly interesting.
Can you steep Oolong several times?
Very often, yes.
Oolongs made from whole leaves or carefully processed leaves lend themselves particularly well to successive infusions.
A first infusion may be subtle, the next more expressive, and a third reveal other nuances.
We have actually dedicated a complete guide to this subject: Why do some teas withstand several infusions?
How do you prepare Oolong tea?
There is no universal temperature for all Oolongs.
The style of the tea is decisive.
For a simple Western preparation, water at approximately between 80 and 90°C is often a good starting point, before adjusting the temperature according to the tea's specific recommendations.
Steeping time is frequently around a few minutes, but Oolongs can also be prepared with more leaves and very short infusions in a gaiwan.
How to choose your first Oolong?
Rather than choosing based on a complicated name or a country of origin, simply start with your taste profile.
You like sweet and delicate teas
Look for an Oolong featuring floral, fruity, or nutty notes, or a slight bitterness.
These profiles are often an excellent entry point for discovering the family.
You like black teas
Go for an Oolong with more body, malty, honeyed, woody, or roasted notes.
The transition will generally be more natural than with an extremely vegetal Oolong.
You like discovering unusual teas
The origin then becomes particularly interesting.
Even though China and Taiwan are historically associated with many great Oolong traditions, this family is now produced in other tea-producing regions.
This is precisely the case for two Oolongs in our selection.
Two very different Oolongs to discover
Tanzania Usambara – for a warm and delicious Oolong
Grown in the Usambara mountains of Tanzania, this artisanal Oolong develops a particularly warm profile.
It features notes of cocoa, malt, and wild honey, with an amber liquor.
This is the one we would gladly recommend to someone who already enjoys black teas or is looking for a deeper cup than a vegetal one.
Discover Tanzania UsambaraHimalayan Orange Hill – for finesse and discovery
Produced in Nepal in the Himalayan region, Himalayan Orange Hill presents a completely different side of Oolong.
Its liquor is lighter, and its profile combines, notably sweetness, hazelnut, a light roasted note, and a floral nuance.
This limited-quantity First Flush harvest is aimed more at the reader who is looking for a fine tasting experience and an unusual origin.
Discover Himalayan Orange HillWhich Oolong to choose between the two?
| You are looking for… | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| Cocoa, malt, honey, and more intensity | Tanzania Usambara |
| Sweetness, hazelnut, and finesse | Himalayan Orange Hill |
| An easy-to-understand first Oolong | Tanzania Usambara if you like black tea; Himalayan if you are looking for something more delicate |
| A rare origin and a more contemplative tasting | Himalayan Orange Hill |
| A very different discovery from classic Asian Oolongs | Both |
Should you drink Oolong plain?
To discover a quality Oolong for the first time, we recommend starting without milk or sugar.
The goal is not to impose a tasting rule, but simply to understand the tea's aromatic profile before altering it.
You can then adapt it to your habits if you wish.
Is Oolong suitable for beginners?
Yes, and it is even one of the most interesting families to start exploring the diversity of tea.
Oolong has an advantage: it allows you to find profiles close to several worlds.
A green tea fan may look for a light and floral Oolong. A black tea fan may prefer a more oxidized, roasted, or malty profile.
And someone who does not yet know exactly what they like can simply use the aromas as a starting point.
Mistakes to avoid when discovering Oolong
The first is to believe that all Oolongs taste the same.
The second is to choose solely based on the oxidation level without taking into account the roasting, terroir, or style of production.
The third is to immediately discard the leaves after the first infusion, even though many Oolongs can still evolve.
Finally, avoid trying at all costs to find an absolutely "better" Oolong.
The right Oolong is first and foremost the one whose aromatic profile suits your tastes.
In summary: which Oolong to choose?
You like sweet, delicate, and slightly roasted teas: start with a profile like Himalayan Orange Hill.
You like malty, honeyed, and deeper flavors: Tanzania Usambara will probably be closer to your tastes.
You are discovering Oolong completely: do not first try to understand all the classifications. Simply identify the flavors you like and choose your first reference from them.
Oolong is not an intermediate tea that you absolutely have to learn to like after green and before black.
It is an immense family, capable of producing some of the most different expressions of tea.
To continue your discovery
→ Why do some teas withstand several infusions?
Article written by the crew of Cap sur le Thé — discover our story.
