Oolong Tea

I love oolong tea 烏龍茶, particularly when it’s cold! It is a semi-oxidized tea, that can vary a lot in flavour. Popular in China, they are often made of specific cultivars of the tea plant Camellia sinensis.

Dark dragon tea

Instructions for hot tea (per person)

1. Measure out 2 grams (about 2 tsps) of oolong and add to teapot or kyusu 急須

2. Boil water (200 mL per person) and let cool until it reaches 90°C (194°F)

3. Poor into the tea pot

4. Let steep for up to three minutes

5. Pour the tea through a strainer (a chakoshi 茶こし in Japan) into individual cups

6. Enjoy

Instructions for cold brew (per person)

1. Measure 2-3 grams (about 2 tsps) of oolong per cup of water

2. Steep water and tea for 3 to 6 hours in the fridge

3. Strain tea into glasses and add ice

4. Enjoy!

Notes

Do not over steep oolong, or any green tea, it will become bitter.

A kettle with temperature control makes the process easier, but if you don’t have one, boil the water and then let cool before pouring it into the tea pot.