How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Oolong Tea

Posted By Kimberly Turner on May 15, 2012 in Asian Food Recipes, Beverage Recipes, Chinese Food Recipes, Cooking How-To Videos, Ethnic Foods, Healthy, Tea Recipes | 0 comments

Oolong tea is one of my favorite teas to brew…

…Why? Because it has a really cool flavor, it helps you lose weight, is a de-stressor, encourages healthy bones & teeth, and gives you energy!

Most of the Oolongs I have had the opportunity to try in Canada have a flavor profile similar to that of buttered popcorn to me. However, the exact same tea is lemony to my mother. In essence, they actually range in flavors from floral all the way to deep roasted and buttery. It all has to do with the area the tea comes from, the line of the plant and the manufacturing/harvesting process.

Oolong tea is also allowed to wither in the natural sunlight, and is prepared in 2 different ways…with either long, curly leaves, or wrapped into small beads with a little tail. The latter is what I’m used to seeing, and is the more traditional way to prepare it.

The 3 factors that affect the outcome of your cup of Oolong tea, in my opinion, is quality of the tea, water temperature and brew time.

I prefer to use loose leaf tea, as you all have probably gathered by now, due to the quality it ensures, as opposed to more manufacturing and lesser quality, typically, of Oolong tea in teabags.

The water temperature needs to be approximately 90 degrees, which means you’ll boil your water in a pot or on the stove, take it off the heat and allow it to cool for about 2-3 minutes before pouring it over the leaves to ensure you’re not “scorching it”, causing it to change flavor and be bitter.

Brew time can vary between 3-8 minutes, but I prefer it brewed for around 4 minutes. Now, don’t throw away those leaves! They can be used up to 8 times, and in fact, it is well known in the “tea community” that the best brews come around the 4th brewing. Saves you money too!

Try using it for baking and cooking alike, not just in a fabulous mug!

Type: Tea Recipe
Serve With: honey, sugar, flavored finishing sugars
Prep Time: 1 min
Steep/Brew Time: 3-8 mins; I prefer 4 mins
Yield: 8 oz cup (32 oz teapot, if desired)

* The ingredients & instructions are listed below the video for measurements & directions. Please enjoy the video below.

Ingredients:

Oolong tea – 1.5 tsp/8 oz. cup; ~ 6 tsp/4 cup teapot
8 oz. water/cup
sugar – if desired

Instructions:

Boil water and set timer for 3 minutes to allow hot water to slightly cool to approximately 90 degrees.
Pour over Oolong loose leaf tea in a filter in either a cup or a teapot.
Allow to steep for between 3-8 mins, depending on how you enjoy it; I prefer it for about 4 minutes; no longer or it will be bitter.
Remove tea filter from cup or pot.
Enjoy your tea by itself or with sugar, flavored finishing sugars.

Oolong tea not only tastes wonderful, but it is very good for you too! Try it; you’ll probably really enjoy it!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Chinese Recipe on Cooking with Kimberly. Until next time…

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