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- Oolong (simplified Chinese: ÎÚÁú;
traditional Chinese: žõýˆ; pinyin: w¨±l¨®ng) is a
traditional Chinese tea (Camellia sinensis) produced
through a unique process including withering under the
strong sun and oxidation before curling and twisting.
Most oolong teas, especially those of fine quality,
involve unique tea plant cultivars that are exclusively
used for particular varieties.The degree of fermentation
can range from 8% to 85%, depending on the variety and
production style. This tea category is especially
popular with tea connoisseurs of south China and Chinese
expatriates in Southeast Asia, as is the tea preparation
process that originated from this area: gongfu
tea-making, or the gongfu tea infusion approach.
In Chinese tea culture, semi-oxidised oolong teas are
collectively grouped as q¨©ngch¨¢ (Chinese: Çà²è; literally
"blue-green tea").The taste of oolong ranges hugely
amongst various subvarieties. It can be sweet and fruity
with honey aromas, or woody and thick with roasted
aromas,or green and fresh with bouquet aromas, all
depending on the horticulture and style of production.Several subvarieties of oolong, including
those produced in the Wuyi Mountains of northern Fujian
and in the central mountains of Taiwan, are among the
most famous Chinese teas.
Different varieties of oolong are processed differently,
but the leaves are formed into one of two distinct
styles. Some are rolled into long curly leaves, while
others are 'wrap-curled' into small beads, each with a
tail. The former style is the more traditional of the
two.
The name oolong tea came into the English language from
the Chinese name (Chinese: žõýˆ²è), meaning "black dragon
tea". ¡¡
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