Oo-Long Life (Part 2)

Continuation of Oo-Long Life (Part 1)...

Origins of Oolong Teas:

Number 3: The Hunter in Anxi County legend

This legend is asserts more on the accidental discovery of tea. It was discovered by the man named Wu Liang in the Anxi County. In English, his name would be Dragon. Since he had a dark skin tone, many people nicknamed him as Black Dragon.

It happened one day. Dragon was hunting. Earlier that day, he picked out tea leaves. But then, something caught his eye. He saw a deer and saw the opportunity for a very scrumptious promise of a meal. So he chased the animal. What he did not anticipate is that the tea leaves he left in his cloth bag, which he always carried, became bruised from all the chasing he did. And in the process, these tea leaves were oxidized purely by accident. Not wanting to waste the teas and throwing it away, he decided to dry and brew it instead. And he was satisfied with the results. He decided to share this wonderful discovery with others and the rest is shall we say, history. Thus, the tea was named after him in honor of his contribution to the discovery of oolong teas.

Side note:

Anxi is a famous county in China. Specifically, it is located in the Fujian Province. This place is very popular for making and producing the Iron Goddess (also known as Tieguanyin) oolong tea.

How is oolong tea produced?

Making oolong teas is a no joke. For it is only the high-skilled and trained craftsmen that are capable of producing oolong teas. The process in making oolong teas is not only difficult to achieve but should also be followed meticulously.

First, only the best tea leaves are picked from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Then they are exposed to the sun for a certain period of time. Then they are transferred indoors. This is to allow these leaves to be dried and oxidized or fermented. To produce the best oolong teas, the fermenting process should be stopped if the leaves are 70 percent green and 30 percent red. Then these tea leaves are rubbed manually to bring out its famous distinct aroma and flavor. Then these leaves are dried with the aid of charcoal. When these processes are complete, it undergoes one final test: to be examined and scrutinized by a "tea master".

What are the health Benefits oolong tea can give?

Here are some of the health benefits oolong teas can offer:

1. Anti-oxidant - the secret for its anti-oxidant property is thanks to the compound, polyphenolic. This compound is responsible for removing and eliminating the free-radicals found in the body. These free-radicals are those unwanted substances that make us look and feel old and not to mention keep us from having a healthy body. Add to the effect of keeping the body relaxed, but at the same time energized.

2. Weight loss - oolong tea is very effective in helping us control weight and managing obesity. The polypherols found in oolong teas control the fat metabolism in the human body. It also burns fat deposits in the body. It is also responsible for the activation of specific enzymes that improves the use of fats in the cells and in the body. It also prevents the effects of carbohydrates in the body.

3. Prevents heart disease and cholesterol build-up - It prevents heart diseases such as stroke and atherosclerosis, heart attacks and the like. It also prevents cholesterol build-up and accumulation the in blood stream as well as in the veins.


4. Aids treatment of diabetes - Many people use oolong teas as a supplement for type 2 diabetic disorders. It does so by regulating insulin levels of the body.

5. Cancer preventer and fighter

6. Improves bone density and structure - thanks to the anti-oxidant properties of oolong teas, it helps strengthen the structure of the bones. It also prevents osteoporosis.

7. Prevents tooth decay and bad breath

8. Aids in digestion and stomach ailments

9. Helps treat skin disorders - according to researches; it can even help those people being treated for eczema skin disorders and allergies. Not only that, it also promotes a healthy skin too. You do not need to have skin disorders to enjoy the benefits of oolong tea.

10. Promotes long life - it not only prevents occurrence of many diseases, it also improves the immune system and other body functions thus helping prevent the start of illnesses and diseases that will pose a threat to our health.

Other important facts about oolong teas worth knowing:

• All teas come from the same plant: the Camellia sinensis. The Teas vary because of the process they undergo: fermentation or oxidation.

• Oolong tea is one of the four types of true teas. The other teas are: Black tea, green tea and white tea.

• It usually takes about 3 to 5 years for the tea plant to be ready for picking

• There is a belief that teas should be picked by women than by men. The reason: women are more gentle and quicker in picking up the leaves.

• Oolong teas are very rich in quercetin, a good anti-oxidant. It is a flavonoid whose function includes dilating the blood vessels so as to allow easier passage of blood through the veins and arteries. Thus, oolong teas are famous for preventing certain heart diseases such as strokes, heart attacks and even cancer.

• Other sources of quercetin can be found in coffee and red wine.

• Oolong teas are also rich sources of potassium. Potassiums are electrolytes that play a vital role in the electric conduction of the body among others. Therefore, oolong teas are also good for the brain and the nerves in the body.

• Oolong tea also contains amino acids that are found uniquely and exclusively to its leaves. Specifically, it is called L-Theanine amino acid. It is a very good anti-oxidant as well as responsible for the relaxing effect teas have on the body.

So... if you enjoyed this post it means you are ready to Enter the Black Dragon, with Bruce Lee, and Oolong tea ;-)

Huang Jiung,
Chinese Weight Loss Tea for BEGINNERS