Oolong

Alternate meanings: Oolong (disambiguation)

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Oolong ({{zh-cp|c=烏龍|p=wūlóng}}) is a traditional Chinese type of tea somewhere in between green and black in oxidation. Although they taste more akin to green tea than black tea, they do not have the stridently grassy vegetal notes that typify green tea. The best Oolong has a nuanced flavor profile. It should be brewed strong and bitter, yet leave one's mouth with a faintly sweet aftertaste.

Related Topics:
Chinese - Tea - Green - Black

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The term "oolong" means "black dragon" or "black snake" in Chinese; various legends describe the origin of this curious name. In one legend, the owner of a tea plantation was scared away from his drying tea leaves by the appearance of a black snake; when he cautiously returned several days later, the leaves had been oxidized by the sun and gave a delightful brew. Another tale tells of a man named Wu Liang (later corrupted to Wu Long, or Oolong) who discovered oolong tea by accident when he was distracted by a deer after a hard day's tea-picking, and by the time he remembered about the tea it had already started to oxidise. Others say that the tea is called "oolong" because the leaves look like little black dragons which wake when you pour hot water on them.

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"Oolong" tea leaves are distinguished, when dried, by their black thread-like appearance.

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Oolong tea is the type of tea most commonly served in Chinese restaurants, to accompany dim sum and other Chinese food.

Related Topics:
Dim sum - Chinese food

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