In fact, wu yi tea is oolong tea. But not all oolong tea is wu yi tea. This may sound a bit confusing. Let's talk about the various teas and then you will understand.
All real tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis. Afterwards, the processing dictates the final tea variety.
Over 75% of tea produced in the world is the highly popular black tea. The leaves are harvested and then withered by leaving them out. The remaining moisture is then rolled out via a machine (CTC) or the old-fashioned way by hand (orthodox). The hand method leaves the tea in tact more while the CTC method is a bit harsher leaving the leaves more crushed.
Afterwards, the tea leaves are spread out. They are left to oxidize in a damp place and the leaves turn from green to brown. Drying takes place using hot air. Then the tea is divided up in various categories according to the size of the leaf. These will be sold as different "grades" of tea.
In processing green tea, the process is similar expect that there is no oxidation. Instead, the green tea leaves are steamed immediately after being dried to stop any oxidation process. The nutrients are also left more in tact. However, the tea has a sort of grassy taste without the oxidation process.
Now, white tea is a rather special little tea. It is harvested only few days a year when the buds on the Camellia sinensis plant have yet to open. White tea processing is like green tea, but the young leaves lend to a very delicate, smooth flavor and aroma. We are finally seeing more white tea distribution, though it was once reserved for Chinese nobility. Because of its difficulty in harvesting, it is rather pricey.
Oolong tea is between green tea and black tea. Its flavor is similar to black tea; however, it still retains most of its nutritional value. This is because it is not oxidized as much as black tea. It is really a great alternative to the grassy taste of green tea and the lack of nutrients in black tea.
So, what of the naming business? Not all oolong tea is wu yi tea because wu yi tea has to be grown in the Wuyi mountain chain to be called by that name. It is simply oolong tea produced in a particular area that is well suited for growing oolong tea.
You can sort of compare the naming to Florida oranges or Washington apples. This northeastern area of China is capable of growing the best tea in the world because of the climate. The soil, cool weather and protection from the mountains produce great tea.
Once only considered for nobility, just like white tea, wu yi has grown in popularity with the world due to its great flavor, nutritional value and weight loss capabilities.
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