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.
Camellia sinensis is the plant for which all real teas are harvested. The final product, or variety, depends on how it is processed.
We will start with black tea as it is the most popular tea in the Western world accounting for 75% of tea production. Tea leaves are harvested and left out to wither. Afterwards, they are rolled either by machine (CTC – cut tear curl) or by hand (orthodox) to release more moisture. The CTC method produces rather crushed up leaves while the traditional orthodox method allows the leaves to remain more intact.
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.
White tea comes from the “baby” leaves on the Camellia sinensis plant. It can only be harvested a few days in a year when the buds of the plant have yet to fully open. It is then processed similarly to green tea, but because the leaves are so young, the tea has a smoother, more delicate flavor. White tea has only been available for worldwide distribution as it was once reserved only for the Chinese nobility. True white tea remains rather expensive.
Perhaps oolong is the best tea because it is not as pricey as white tea, but it has a great flavor more like black tea. Plus, it retains most of its nutrients and weight loss capabilities like green tea and white tea. Unlike white or green tea, oolong tea is oxidized to some extent, which is what lends to the flavor. However, it still has most of its nutrients and it can be harvested like green or black tea using more mature leaves.
Okay, so why do we call some oolong tea, wu yi tea? Think of it more as a brand name, but perhaps a bit more special. Wu yi tea is oolong tea so named for the chain of mountains where it grows. The Wuyi mountain chain in Northeastern China is home to the Camellia sinensis plant where wu yi tea is harvested.
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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