Table of Contents
Oolong tea is a partially oxidised tea that offers an incredibly diverse flavour profile — from sweet and floral to rich and roasted. Originating from remote high mountaintops in China and Taiwan, it bridges the gap between green tea and black tea, both in terms of taste and processing style.
Whether you’re new to drinking tea or a seasoned enthusiast, understanding the flavour of oolong can open up a whole new world of tea appreciation.
What Is Oolong Tea?
Oolong is made from the Camellia sinensis tea plant, just like green and black teas. The difference lies in how it’s processed. The oxidation process is only partial — not as light as green tea and not as intense as malty black tea. This creates what’s known as a partially oxidized tea, and it’s what gives oolong its signature complexity.
Depending on how it’s crafted, oolong tea can lean closer to either end of the spectrum — either fresh and floral like green tea or rich and full-bodied like black tea. This makes oolong one of the most interesting tea types available today.
What Are the Tasting Notes of Oolong Tea?
The flavour of oolong tea varies depending on the production style, level of oxidation, and region in which it was grown. While most oolong teas share a common smoothness, the tasting notes can range from floral and milky to roasted, nutty, or even fruity.
Here are some examples of what you might find in popular oolong tea varieties:
- Iron Goddess (Tie Guan Yin) – Light-bodied, with floral tones and a concentrated sweetness that lingers.
- Oriental Beauty – Rich and fruity with a gentle muscatel sweetness, often described as having an oxidized fruitiness.
- Da Hong Pao – Heavily oxidized, offering a deep woodsy undertone with dark chocolate and roasted notes.
- Pipachá Oolong – Dried fruit, honey, and port wine finish, brewed tea with depth and warmth.
Each of these oolong tea leaves is carefully crafted to preserve the essential oils within the cell walls of the leaf, allowing the flavour to unfold beautifully when brewed.
What Factors Influence the Flavour of Oolong Tea?
Several things influence oolong’s flavour:
- Oxidation level: This affects both flavour and caffeine levels. Heavily oxidized teas are deeper and richer, while lightly oxidised oolongs are sweet and floral.
- Terroir: Grown in misty air and remote high-altitude regions, the climate, soil, and rainfall affect the flavour significantly.
- Harvesting and processing: Every tea maker brings their own expertise to the table. The leaf’s water ratio, drying, shaping, and firing all contribute to the final flavour.
- Leaf variety: Different cultivars offer varied aromas and complexity.
Generally speaking, oolong is a tea leaf with layers — and its different styles offer something for every palate.
Is Oolong Tea Flavoured?
No. High-quality loose leaf oolong tea is never artificially flavoured. The taste comes from expert craftsmanship and the natural attributes of the tea varietal.
For example, Golden Lily Milk Oolong naturally carries a creamy aroma — not because it’s infused with milk powder, but because of the specific cultivar and careful handling during tea processing.
Just like a fine wine, great tea needs nothing added.
How to Brew the Best-Tasting Cup of Oolong Tea
To experience the full spectrum of oolong’s flavour, you need the right brewing method. Here’s how to enjoy the best cup:
- Use 1–2 teaspoons of tea leaves per 250 ml of water.
- Heat water to around 85–90°C.
- Steep for 1–5 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger and more complex the flavour.
- Re-steep multiple times to enjoy how the taste evolves with each cup.
Whether brewed in a teapot or traditional gaiwan, the experience of oolong is enhanced with careful infusion.
Is Oolong Tea Bitter?
Not typically. Oolong tea is known for its smoothness and balance. However, bitterness can develop if it’s over-steeped or brewed with boiling water. For a softer cup, try a short steep — around one minute.
Oolong is also lower in tannins than black tea, making it less likely to clash with milk. In fact, drinking oolong tea with milk is rare, as it disrupts the delicate character of the tea.
How Does Oolong Tea Compare to Other Teas?
Oolong is often described as sitting comfortably between green tea and black. It shares green tea’s freshness and some of black tea’s boldness, yet retains its own distinct flavour. It also tends to have lower caffeine levels than coffee, but enough to provide a gentle boost.
Its balance of character, richness, and aroma makes it a standout for those exploring caffeinated beverages.
Where Can You Buy Oolong Tea?
Looking to try oolong for yourself? Discover our curated selection of Chinese oolong teas, carefully sourced for quality and flavour.
👉 Browse our oolong tea collection
Whether you’re after a creamy green oolong or a bold, heavily oxidized style, we’ve got a blend to suit your taste.
