Among the countless varieties of oolong tea, golden oolong stands out for its honeyed aroma, soft peach flavors, and beautifully smooth finish. Glowing with a rich amber liquor, each sip of golden oolong tea envelops your senses in sweet serenity. Read on to learn about the origins, flavor, brewing tips and health benefits of this prized tea perfect for oolong beginners and aficionados alike.
What is Oolong Tea?
Oolong falls in between green and black tea on the spectrum of true teas. While green tea is not allowed to oxidize much and black tea is fully oxidized, oolong teas are only partially oxidized. This partial oxidation gives oolong a unique taste, complexity and array of health benefits compared to green or black varieties.
There are several main types of oolong tea including:
Green or Blue Oolongs
These oolongs are more lightly oxidized, closer to green tea. They have a fresh, grassy, vegetal quality. Examples are Baozhong and Biluochun.
High Mountain Oolongs
Grown at high elevations in Taiwan, these have an ultra-fragrant, delicate floral taste. They include Alishan, Lishan and Shan Lin Xi.
Dan Cong Oolongs
Named for the Phoenix Mountains, each Dan Cong oolong has a distinctive flavor and fragrance, like Mi Lan Xiang (honey orchid).
Dark Oolongs
These are allowed to oxidize longer, giving a richer, toastier flavor closer to black tea. Examples are Red Water Daffodil and Zhenghe Da Hong Pao.
Wuyi Yancha or Wuyi Rock Oolongs
From the Wuyi Mountains, these develop mineral notes from the rocky soil. Golden oolong belongs to this prized category.
So while all oolongs are partially oxidized, the spectrum ranges from light, floral greens to deeper, woodier blacks with incredible diversity in between.
Origins and Production of Golden Oolong
Native to the verdant Wuyi mountain range located in northern Fujian province, China, golden oolong comes from a Jin Xuan cultivar. It’s also referred to as Milk Oolong due to its creamy, buttery flavor.
Jin Xuan is a relatively new tea cultivar developed in the 1980s. To produce golden oolong:
- Fresh Jin Xuan tea leaves are withered and lightly shaken or tossed to bruise the edges. This starts the oxidation process.
- The leaves go through very careful hand rolling and shaping into long twisted strips. Gentle rolling breaks down the cells further to release flavors.
- The tea is allowed to oxidize to just the right level to develop its signature characteristics. Oxidation occurs as the leaves are spread out and left exposed to oxygen.
- Finally the leaves are fired or pan-roasted to stop the oxidation and reduce moisture before rolling into their finished tight, wavy shape.
It is the mastery of withering, rolling, precise partial oxidation, and firing that gives golden oolong its beloved sweetness and honeyed peach tones.
Flavor Profile of Golden Oolong
Many high quality oolongs display incredible depth and complexity of flavor. But golden oolong stands out for its beautiful simplicity – like a peaceful Zen garden versus a bustling marketplace. Its main tasting notes include:
Honey and Nectar Sweetness
The hallmark of golden oolong is its gentle honey taste, reminiscent of wildflower nectar with a touch of ripe stone fruit. The natural sweetness is never cloying or overwhelming but rather perfectly balanced.
Smooth, Round, Mouth-Coating Texture
Unlike some oolongs with an astringent, dry bite, golden oolong imparts an almost creamy, cushiony mouthfeel. It’s soft and smooth from the first sip, coating the mouth and throat with soothing savory-sweetness to the lingering aftertaste.
Fragrant Fruit and Floral Finish
Each sip finishes with a lovely bouquet of osmanthus flowers, juicy peach, apricot jam and fresh orchid. There are also subtle mineral nuances from the rocky, volcanic soil of Wuyi.
Absence of Bitterness and Astringency
Well-crafted golden oolong contains no harsh, tannic qualities. There’s no dry puckering or lip-smacking bite. Just pure, clean sweetness from start to mid-palate through the finish.
This highly approachable flavor profile makes golden oolong accessible for beginners, yet there is still intricacy there for longtime tea connoisseurs. It also pairs beautifully with certain foods like fruit tarts, scones, and custards.
Appearance of Golden Oolong Tea Leaves
In their dry leaf form, good quality golden oolong leaves are impressively large, intact, and manually rolled into long twisted thick strips. The color ranges from dark olive green to warm chocolate brown. Yellow-golden leaf tips are also common, as are traces of downy white “peach fuzz.”
When brewed, golden oolong tea liquors range from a very pale straw color all the way to a bold amber-orange. The color should never appear cloudy or murky, but instead clear and bright with a luminous, satiny gloss.
The brewed wet leaves continue emitting their sweet, honey-peach fragrance, filling your whole room with blissful scent. This is part of what makes brewing loose leaf so special.
Health Benefits of Golden Oolong Tea
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, oolong tea is valued as a nourishing daily tonic for its warming energy and wide range of health benefits. Here are some of the wellness advantages golden oolong specifically provides:
Abundant Antioxidants and Polyphenols
Like green and white teas, oolong contains catechins, EGCG, and many other antioxidants that combat inflammation and cell damage from free radicals. These protective plant compounds support heart health, brain function, healthy cholesterol levels and immunity against disease.
Aids Digestion and Gut Health
Animal research indicates the polyphenols in golden oolong tea increase the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria, while inhibiting bad bacteria and relieving indigestion. The anti-inflammatory effects also ease stomach inflammation and ulcers and help nutrient absorption.
Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Boosting Properties
In addition to antioxidant catechins, golden oolong also provides anti-inflammatory polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system to fight infections. Regular consumption may help prevent and shorten colds, flus, allergies and other illnesses.
Supports Heart Health and Blood Pressure
The combination of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and mildly diuretic effects in golden oolong helps lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and protect cardiovascular health according to several studies. More research is still needed however.
So in addition to sheer drinking pleasure, regularly sipping golden oolong tea could provide valuable protection against some chronic diseases as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Golden Oolong
Brewing the perfect cup of golden oolong tea requires precision – but it’s also a calming ritual well worth perfecting. Here are some tips:
Use Fresh Spring Water
High mineral content spring or filtered water allows the delicate flavors to shine. Tap water may impart metallic or chlorine tastes that overpower the tea. Heat the water to 180-185°F – just before boiling to avoid scalding the leaves.
1 Teaspoon Leaves Per 6 oz Cup
Use approximately 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 6 oz cup of water. Adjust to your personal taste – more leaf equals more intensity. Brew in a small glass teapot, gaiwan, or gongfu-style directly in the cup.
Multiple Short Infusions
Steep the leaves for only 30-60 seconds per infusion to prevent any bitterness. Sip this first infusion. Then you can reinfuse the same leaves 5+ times for new subtleties of flavor in each subsequent steep.
Pair with Fruit, Flowers, Herbs
Boost golden oolong’s sweetness by adding a slice of peach, a few lavender buds, a dash of rosewater, or osmanthus flowers. Complement the minerality with fresh ginger, goji berries, or dandelion root.
Patience, precision, and creativity will help you unlock the secrets to creating a perfectly balanced cup of golden oolong worthy of serving guests. Part of the joy is in the meditative process.
Enjoying Golden Oolong Hot or Iced
While exquisite hot, golden oolong also shines beautifully as a refreshing iced tea. Some tasty ways to enjoy it include:
Mindful Hot Tea Ritual
Sip hot golden oolong first thing in the morning focusing on the aromas and flavors blooming with each infusion. Or wind down in the evening with a cup, allowing its calm essence to infuse your spirit before bed.
Energizing Iced Tea
Brew golden oolong double strength, then pour over ice with slices of lime, lemon or grapefruit for an antioxidant vitamin C cold brew. Add fresh mint, sliced stone fruit or berries too.
Decadent Tea Lattes
Blend strong golden oolong with gently frothed coconut or almond milk and warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or cardamom. Sweeten with a touch of honey or maple syrup for cozy sipping.
Cold Brew Method
For an even bolder iced tea, cold brew a golden oolong concentrate overnight directly in the fridge. Then dilute to taste with cold water and ice cubes.
However you choose to enjoy golden oolong’s sweet nectar – hot, iced, or blended into tea lattes – it is sure to please your taste buds and soothe your spirit.
Purchasing and Storing Golden Oolong
To fully appreciate premium golden oolong tea, source fresh, high grade loose leaf from reputable suppliers whenever possible. Here is what to look for:
Whole, Intact Tea Leaves
Inspect the dry leaves and avoid any bags or bulk tea with lots of broken leaf pieces, fragments, or powder. Whole leaves maintain freshness longer.
Recent Harvest Date
Check for the harvest date, ideally from earlier in the same year you are purchasing. New season tea always tastes best.
Mountain of Origin in Fujian
Authentic golden oolong will be from the Wuyi Mountains in northern Fujian province, China. This region’s unique terroir makes golden oolong distinctive.
Air-Tight, Opaque Storage
Keep your golden oolong in a sealed opaque bag or jar away from light, oxygen, humidity, and pungent odors. Light and air degrade the leaves.
Organic or Sustainably Grown
Certified organic or sustainable farming practices ensure purity and eco-friendly production. Supporting small sustainable farms also enables ethical livelihoods.
Some excellent suppliers of premium loose leaf golden oolong include Eco-Cha Tea, Teavivre, Tea Vivre, Mountain Tea, and Teasenz. Buying directly from small farms allows you to enjoy the freshest harvests.
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
Drinking moderate amounts of golden oolong tea is very safe for most people. However, there are some considerations:
- Caffeine content – Oolongs have less caffeine than black tea but more than green. Those sensitive to caffeine should brew weaker and limit intake.
- Medication interactions – The polyphenols may potentially interact with certain prescription medications, especially for diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, and thyroid disorders. Consult your doctor.
- Allergic reactions – Very rare, but possible allergy symptoms could include hives, rash, stomach upset, or dizziness. Discontinue drinking if this occurs.
- Blood thinning effect – Large amounts of oolong may exacerbate the blood thinning effects of anticoagulant drugs or herbs. Exercise caution if you take blood thinners.
While golden oolong tea is very safe when consumed mindfully, it is always wise to exercise some caution with any new tea until you know how it affects you. Start slowly and pay attention to your body’s signals.
The Takeaway
We hope this guide has illuminated what makes golden oolong tea such a sublime yet straightforward cup – from its origins in the lush Wuyi Mountains to ideal brewing techniques to creative ways to savor its nectar daily. Keep these tips in mind as you explore integrating golden oolong into your tea repertoire.
At Yucoo Bubble Tea, we proudly blend premium Taiwan-grown golden oolong into select milk teas, fruit teas, herbal blends and tea lattes on our menu. We source our oolong directly from small farms committed to organic, sustainable practices so you can feel good about indulging in this liquid gold. Stop by to sample the honeyed loveliness of golden oolong freshly prepared just for you. Your taste buds will thank you!
