The name of Chinese tea with the poetic name “Black Dragon” is pronounced “oolong” in European countries, “oolong” in Russia, and it is also called turquoise or blue-green. He is a recognized panacea for many ailments. It is considered a rejuvenating drink and a tool to help fight excess body weight.
So, elite oolong tea - what is it, consumers who first encountered it want to know. Oolongs are semi-fermented tea drinks. They have the aroma of green teas and taste like red varieties.
Oolong tea - what is it?
Oolongs make up a certain group of teas, quite different in appearance, taste and quality. To understand: oolong tea - what is it, you need to understand the intricacies of this product. In some cases, oolong tea is mistakenly attributed to green tea, believing that they are a variety of it.
This is due to the fact that some of them have grassy hues. In the first Ulun teas, the color scheme was not at all green. Tea leaves for them masters twisted along the axis. Then the raw materials went through a number of technological stages, exposure to heat and fire.
Large dark leaves were obtained at the exit, similar in shape and color to the dragon snake (hence the name “black crow” or “black dragon”). And still the leaves, maintaining their structure, are twisted into dense balls. At the time of brewing, tight balls unfold, turning into leaves.
Oolongs are elite varieties of tea. They are leaders among the sought after expensive drinks. The plants that give this variety of tea leaves are extremely whimsical. They need meticulous care, ideal growing conditions and a unique climate. This is what determines the high cost of Black Dragon varieties.
Chinese oolong tea, whose price is quite high, has a characteristic feature due to the degree of fermentation of its leaves. Fermentation is not performed on the entire sheet. It only affects specific areas and edges of leaves.
The middle part of the leaves does not undergo changes, which affects the taste of the drink. Oolongs are not like other types of tea. Their leaves have a completely different shape and organoleptic. They are oily, their chemical composition is unique and specific.
Varietal variety
There are 2 subspecies of this drink. Low-fermented varieties are similar to green tea. The leaves are strongly twisted, slightly fried, with a fermentation degree of 25-40% green shades. The taste of the drink obtained from them is mild.
Highly fermented varieties are close to red tea. Leaflets are slightly longitudinally twisted, with a fermentation degree of 40-70%, have almost black color. Drinks from them are endowed with a deep, tart, rich taste and rich royal aftertaste.
Experimental Flavored Oolongs
Oolong flavored tea - what is it? Such a “Black Dragon” is considered an independent subspecies of oolongs, in the manufacture of which are added all kinds of flavors that improve the taste of the drink. The Chinese do not recognize flavored mixtures. In their opinion, additives adversely affect the taste of drinks, spoiling them. They produce such tea blends exclusively for export.
Perform natural and artificial aromatization of tea leaves. With natural aromatization, dried leaves are mixed with flowers. As natural aromatic additives use rose, chrysanthemum, jasmine. In addition, harmonious floral arrangements give the original oolong flavor.
Oolong Ginseng
Oolong ginseng tea - what is it? The drink is an unusual type of oolong. It exudes a thick aroma of ginseng. It has a sweet floral and slightly spicy taste. It is endowed with tonic properties and a generous finish.
The mixture is made from inexpensive tea leaves. Heavily crumpled leaves are carefully dumped in ginseng roots, triturated to a powdery appearance. Leaflets take the form of blue-green or blue-black pebbles that unfold only when they are doused with boiling water.
Milk Oolong Tea
This is a popular flavored mixture with a pronounced milky flavor. The secret of her taste range lies in the technique of cultivating tea bushes. Cuban reeds are used for pollination of plants, and milk is used for watering rhizomes. To the faint milky smell of fresh leaves after fermentation is added an aroma with a sweet caramel note.
Another method involves extracting prepared tea leaves over clubs of milk steam. In a third, inexpensive method of producing this type of tea, the leaves are treated with artificial additives. It is clear that opinions about these drinks will be contradictory. However, when people try milk oolong tea with natural additives, reviews about it are always excellent.
The healing power of the "Black Dragon"
Confusing quality oolongs with their cheap varieties is almost impossible. They are endowed with specific characteristics and properties. The best of them have an intense floral aroma and a delicious peach flavor. The color palette of the brewed drink ranges from pale jade to dark red-brown.
The Chinese export several dozen subspecies of the Black Dragon. All of them are incredibly popular due to the possession of numerous healing properties. The incredible benefits of oolong tea are due to the fact that more than four hundred biologically active substances, which are very beneficial for the human body, are concentrated in it.
What is the use of oolongs?
Chinese oolong tea, the benefits and harms of which have long been described, has a positive effect on the functioning of every cell in the body. A cup of aromatic drink eliminates headaches and stomachaches.
Polyphenolic compounds, which are enriched with tea leaves, breaking down fats, remove them from the body. As a result, the drink is classified as a means for losing weight. Those who drink daily oolong tea, whose beneficial properties cannot be disputed, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Thanks to him, dental tissues are strengthened.
They quench their thirst and cheer up. It relaxes under stress. Hypertensive can drink it without harm to health. The drink from the Black Dragon is full of tannins - substances similar in their invigorating effect to caffeine. The difference between them is that caffeine, invigorating, raises pressure, while tannins, on the contrary, pouring life-giving energy, do not affect it in any way.
As a result of laboratory and clinical trials, it was established with accuracy that tannins, when decomposed, help synthesize acetylcholine in cells. With a deficiency of this substance, people lose the ability to think in concentration and memorize the necessary information.
The action of oolongs in the body is selective. They give to the body of a particular person those substances in which he experiences an individual need. To date, medical scientists have not found an explanation for such a unique mechanism of action.
A drink saturated with flavonoids restores the strength of patients who have had a heart attack or stroke. Antioxidants - protectors of cell membranes from free radicals. Therefore, doctors recommend oolong tea, the benefits and harms of which are well known, as a prophylactic against cancer and with impaired metabolism.
Contraindications
Although a healing drink does not do much harm, some people need to decide what they risk by enjoying its taste and aroma. Hypersensitivity to specific components of tea sometimes results in allergies. It is not recommended to drink with exacerbated gastritis and stomach ulcers.
Drink is not recommended for people with low cholesterol. A high concentration of tannins sometimes causes insomnia, so it is preferable to enjoy it in the morning and afternoon. For the same reason, it is not suitable for pregnant and lactating women.
A noble drink with healing power, harmoniously combines benefit and pleasure. Therefore, with moderate use, it does not harm healthy people.