Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Brands Of Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is similar to any other product in that you get a variety of options to choose from. You will note differences in the various packs on offer, and hence you should consider what features these packs have to offer before making the purchase decision. To give you a bit of context on how these features affect the feel and experience of your beverage, we have listed and explained them below.
Reduced Risk Of Heart Disease
Oolong tea proves itself so much more than a self-care routine, it also helps to boost heart health and cut down on cardiovascular disease. Thanks to the abundance of catechins and polyphenols, oolong tea can reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure, both of which contribute to keeping your ticker in tip-top shape. Studies have shown that those who drink oolong tea had a lower LDL cholesterol level than those who didnt. Thats reason enough for us!
Why Is Oolong Tea Healthy
Oolong tea contains both green tea and black tea compounds. Because its half-oxidized, it has more catechins than black tea. However, antioxidant activity in tea doesnt come only from catechins caffeine, theaflavine, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside are anti oxidative compounds as well. One Chinese study evaluated anti-oxidative capacity of 30 different teas, and showed that oolong tea on average has a higher antioxidative capacity than dark, white or black teas, and even 100% higher than some green teas. In fact, the mean value of total phenolic content in green tea was only slightly higher than in oolong tea.
During oxidation compounds in tea leaf change their structure. To benefit from the antioxidative activity its better to opt for greener, less oxidized oolong tea such as Ti Kwan Yin. If the oxidation level is not included in the description, both color of tea leaves and tea infusion might help you in guessing the oxidation level. Darker leaves and reddish tea liquor are a sign of higher oxidation.
Ti Kwan Yin oolong tea
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What Is Tea Oxidation
Oxidation is the reaction that brings out the nice brown Oolong Tea color. In oxidation, Oolong tea cannot oxidize too much. Otherwise itll change into Black Tea and the flavor will not be the same.
Oolong Tea is in the middle of Green Tea and Black Tea. Once Oolong Tea turns a specific brown color, it can stop oxidizing. You wouldnt want it to oxidize too much, otherwise itll go black. Or if you oxidize it too little, itll stay green and the aromas will stay the same.
We hope youre following along nicely, tea can get confusing sometimes, we know Maybe you can read how to brew tea at home to get an understanding of all this too!
Are There Any Side Effects Of Oolong Tea
Like any other tea, it does not have any side-affect if consumed normally. But if the unusually high dosage of Oolong tea is taken, it will result in headaches, sleep problems, confusion, etc.
People who are allergic to caffeine should avoid drinking it. Hypokalemia is a life-threatening condition thats linked with the toxicity of caffeine.
Besides this, side effects in the form of kidney stones, stomach pain, fluorosis in skeleton due to the consumption of tea in large amount has also been reported.
Talking about kidney stones alone, its worth mentioning that its not oolong tea oolong thats harmful to the person having kidney stones. Instead, all types of teas, ranging from black to green, have oxalates in them that help in the formation of kidney stones.
But luckily, oolong tea has a mere 0.23 to 1.15 mg/g tea of oxalates in it, as compared to 4.68 to 5.11mg/g tea in black tea, which is too less to worry about.
Also, drinking tea too much can decrease ones ability to absorb vitamins got from plant sources. That is the reason its not recommended for children to drink tea.
Also, if taken along with the meal, it can hinder the iron absorption process. So, nursing and pregnant women should avoid it or drink it less often.
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Oolong Tea Health Benefits: The Truth About Weight Loss
You may have seen many ads for The best green tea weight loss system or Detox green tea weight loss. There are so many of these claims for Oolong tea health benefits that they are hard to avoid, especially on the internet. But are they true or false? We have done the research on the topic and well answer that for you here.
What Is The Best Oolong Tea
From this list alone, it should be clear that there is no single best oolong tea. Indeed, there is considerable variation in flavor across brands. In many ways, the simple answer is to start trying oolong tea and work out from there which brands and styles you prefer.
For example, some people tend to rely on tea bags, while others would rather go with loose leaf tea. Likewise, some may lean towards oolong tea that is greener and others have the opposite preference.
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Heres How To Brew In Gong Fu Style
When brewing Gong Fu style, remember to clean and preheat all the utensils and gaiwan to brew the tea. Here the Oolong tea dosage is almost double compared to the western style brewing. So take around 5-6g of tea into the gaiwan or teapot. Rinse the tea leaves.
The Oolong tea brewing temperature must be 195 to 200 °F, and you can keep the steeping time between 30s-1minute. In this style, you can re-brew the tea up to 6-8 times, and with each infusion having a unique flavor and aroma.
What Is The History Of Oolong Tea
The history of this tea can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty, which is like in the mid-1300s. And how the tea was discovered, we tell you, is an interesting story.
Legend says that once a farmer was out picking tea leaves to brew tea. In the middle of the process, he saw a black snake and fled from the place. When he returned the next day, the leaves had turned brownish-green. He brewed those leaves and was so surprised by the new flavor that he named it after the snake that had scared him away.
But yes, it is a story. And there a few such others that tell us how the tea was discovered. We dont know which is the closest to the truth and it doesnt matter much. What matters is how good this tea is for you.
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May Reduce The Risk Of Cancer
One of the most deadly diseases on the face of the earth, cancer has no guaranteed way to be cured. It can only be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, and treatment is also very risky with very low chances of survival.
The consumption of most types of teas provides properties that drastically affect our lives. Oolong tea has chemopreventive properties that may help keep this disease at bay.
In a study done on black tea extracts, oolong tea exhibited anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-neoplastic activities. These activities indicate the potential for the prevention of cancer in humans as well.
Benefits Of Tea In Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient wellness practice that believes that health is a result of the body operating in harmony with the energy of nature. In this realm of study, tea is viewed as a stimulant for mental clarity, a balancer of emotions, and an invigorator of energy. Different types of tea can have beneficial warming or cooling effects on the body.
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Alcohol Interacts With Oolong Tea
Oolong tea contains caffeine.The body breaks down the caffeine in oolong tea to get rid of it. Alcohol can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking oolong tea along with alcohol might cause too much caffeine in the bloodstream and caffeine side effects including jitteriness, headache, and fast heartbeat.
Oolong Tea Benefits For Weight Loss
The benefits of oolong tea for weight loss have been confirmed in many studies, and thats why this tea became one of the most popular teas when it comes to losing weight.
Increase energy expenditure and inhibit the absorption of fat and carbohydrates are two main ways to reduce food-related body weight.
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Nutritional Facts Of Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is rich in black and green tea nutrients that are beneficial for our body. Oolong tea is rich in
It Helps Preventcardiovascular Disease
Researchhas uncovered a relationship between oolong tea consumption and areduced level of cholesterol. This study followed nearly 77,000 people for fiveyears who drank oolong tea every day. They found that those who drank at least8 ounces of oolong tea per day had a lower risk of having high levels of overallcholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol.
Further, a study completed in Japan found that drinking oolong tea can increase the levels of adiponectin in your blood. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels and the breakdown of fatty acids. Having low levels of adiponectin increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease. This means that oolong tea could reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in people currently suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
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What Kinds Of Oolong Are There
There are four basic kinds of oolong tea. The way they are cultivated and processed is what sets them apart from one another and from other teas. We have also included a beverage made with oolong tea to help clear any confusion about milk oolong and oolong milk tea.
Chinese Oolong Tea
- Oxidation: medium to heavy
- Taste: smoky, caramel, butter, toasty
- Shape: rolled lengthwise
Wu Yi oolong is known as Da Hong Pao or Red Robe Tea. This oolong is on the furthest end of the oxidation and roast spectrum for oolongs. Tea leaves harvested come from tea plants that are over one thousand years old, and because of how ancient the tea plants are, you can expect to pay a high dollar for it. A meager one kilogram costs $1 million.
Taiwan Oolong
- Roast: very light to light
- Color: pale yellow to vibrant yellow
- Taste: floral, buttery, piney, crisp
- Shape: rolled into balls
This oolong grows in the highest elevations of the mountains in Taiwan. These elevations are above 3,000 feet. Different varieties of Taiwan oolong with their own unique flavors are either harvested in spring or autumn.
Milk Oolong
- Color: almost a clear yellow
- Taste: milky, creamy, floral
- Shape: rolled into balls
This is a very unique tea that offers the flavor of tea with milk added. However, milk oolong tea doesnt have milk yet it tastes like it does. If there were ever a tea that perplexed the palette, this would be one of them.
Oolong Milk Tea
Oolong Milk Tea Vs Milk Oolong Tea
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Any Amusing Facts About Oolong Tea
- The Chinese term for oolong is Dan Cong.
- Oolong is the doppelgänger as its peculiar fragrance mimics everything from flowers to nuts to fruits.
- Oolong tea is best enjoyed when prepared using whole loose leaves.
- Oolong tea is also popularly known as Wu Long tea.
- The most popular varieties of oolong tea are Wu-yi tea, Formosa oolong, Pouchong, and Ti Kuan Yin.
We know this tea is too healthful to resist. So, in case you are wondering where to get it
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Reducing The Of Thiamine Or Vitamin B
Vitamin B is good for memory, which helps the metabolism of sugar into energy in the body faster. Oolong tea lessens the action of vitamin B on the body means that it is harmful to memory as well as the brain.Therefore, dont drink oolong tea if you want to absorbs nutrients from foods that are rich in Vitamin B.
What Is Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea.
Its made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant used to make green tea and black tea. The difference is in how the tea is processed.
The process of oxidation is what creates green, dark, or oolong teas.
Green tea is produced from fresh tea leaves that have not undergone oxidation, a chemical reaction that begins when the leaves are exposed to the air and which is responsible for the color and taste of different types of tea. Black tea is created when leaves are fully crushed to enhance oxidation, and oolong is created when leaves are wilted in the sun and slightly bruised to create partial oxidation .
Summary
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea made from the partially oxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
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Birth Control Pills Interacts With Oolong Tea
Oolong tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down the caffeine in oolong tea to get rid of it. Birth control pills can decrease how quickly the body breaks down caffeine. Taking oolong tea along with birth control pills can cause jitteriness, headache, fast heartbeat, and other side effects.Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel , ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone , and others.
Possible Side Effects And Concerns
Oolong tea is generally considered to be safe if you drink it in moderation. Responsible drinking of any tea will not cause any side effects.
However, as we mentioned above it does contain caffeine and when consumed in excess, caffeine may lead to a number of adverse effects such as insomnia, anxiety, increased blood pressure and heart rate, headaches.
A gram of dry oolong tea leaf contains about 10-40 mg of caffeine, with an average of 20-30 mg per gram. Drinking around 15 grams of the dry leaf should be safe.
Western brewing methods use 2-3 grams of tea, while the eastern method uses 5-7 grams. However, to be fully extracted caffeine require high water temperature and long steeping.
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According to the USDA and EFSA daily intake of 400 mg of caffeine is considered to be safe. This is equivalent to 48-80 oz per day. If we take that the average cup is 8 oz you can safely drink 6-10 cups of oolong tea without consuming too much caffeine.
If you are sensitive to caffeine avoid drinking too much oolong tea and pregnant women are advised to not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine, which is equal to 3-5 cups of oolong tea per day.
Additionally, the flavonoids in tea can bind the iron found in plant foods, reducing absorption from the digestive system by 15-67%. So for people with low iron levels, its recommended to avoid drinking tea with meals and to consume vitamin-C-rich foods to help increase iron absorption.
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Oolong Tea Can Help Improveyour Teeth And Bones
Fluoride is a naturally present compound inoolong tea leaves. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent enamel loss andtooth decay by replacing calcium and phosphorus that your teeth lose over time.Fluoride helps keep your teeth hard so they arent easily damaged by food oreveryday wear and tear. And, because the fluoride that is found in oolong teais naturally occurring, it can also help prevent cavities.
Oolong tea can also help remineralize yourbones, which will help them maintain their strength. Stronger bones will helpreduce your risk of experiencing a break or fracture and reduce your long termrisk of developing osteoporosis. This rings especially true for women who aregoing through menopause. During menopause, womens bones get increasingly weak,which can lead to arthritis and osteoporosis.
Is Oolong Tea Good For You
Oolong tea represents just 2% of the worlds tea. But you bet it is good. The tea contains flavonoids, caffeine , fluoride, and theanine. Most benefits of oolong tea can be attributed to its catechins they make it particularly effective in preventing conditions like heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, oxidative stress, and even cognitive decline .
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Benefits Of Oolong Tea
You, of course, want to know of the benefits that accrue from using oolong tea over other types of tea. They include lower cholesterol levels, which, in the long run, help you avoid heart diseases. Also, it calms the mind hence helping you relax and relieve stress. Another positive side effect is that you will be able to digest food much more comfortably. Finally, you may attribute the strengthening of your bones to the tea after a few months of regular use.
Research On Oolong Teas And Weight Loss
There is a relatively strong body of scientific evidence suggesting that oolong tea really does live up to its weight busting reputation. Studies have suggested that the combination of polyphenols and caffeine helps raise the metabolism for the hours immediately after drinking. They also suggest that oolong can block certain fat building enzymes all of which leads to sustainable weight loss when drunk on a regular basis.
A Chinese study published in 2009 was conducted to determine the effects of drinking oolong tea on obesity and body fat. 102 overweight or obese participants were given 8 grams of oolong tea for a total of 6 weeks and while the results were not dramatic, they were certainly positive.
70% of the subjects considered to be severely obese lost more than a kilo in weight while 22% lost in excess of 3 kilos. Results for obese and overweight subjects were equally promising with 64% and 66% of subjects in those two categories losing more than a kilo.
As well as the decreases seen in body weight, subjects in all categories also experienced a significant decrease in subcutaneous fat levels which, in the case of female subjects, also led to a decrease in waist size. Furthermore, the experiment revealed that drinking oolong tea brought about a remarkable decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in subjects with hyperlipidemia.
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