How is Wu Long Tea Different From Other Teas?

susanw | Jun 30, 2010 |

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Green tea, wu long tea, white tea and black tea actually all come from the same source, the plant Camelia Sinesis. This plant is actually a relative of the popular household Camelia plant, although it has been specifically cultivated for its leaves, rather than its flowers. This plant grows in many regions, although the best tea plants are usually grown in sub-tropical or tropical areas at high altitudes. In fact, some of the best teas are grown at altitudes above 1,500 meters.

What, then, is the difference between the popular varieties of tea; black tea, green tea, and wu long tea? The main difference is due to the way that the leaves are processed once they are picked. Leaves from the Camelia Sinesis plant quickly begin to wilt once they are picked, as the oxidation process begins. In order to halt the oxidation of the leaves they are dried.

White tea has only recently appeared on the general market, although it was considered the tea for the elite in China for thousands of years. White tea leaves and buds are picked when they are very young, before they have had a chance to fully mature. Once picked, they undergo a drying process once they begin to wilt.

Green tea is made from matured leaves, however they are processed as soon as they are picked, before they have a chance to oxidize. This accounts for the somewhat earthy or fresh (green) taste of the tea.

Wu long tea is also processed from matured leaves. The difference is that they are allowed to partially oxidize before processing.

Black tea, perhaps the best known and most consumed tea, is allowed to fully oxidize before the leaves are dried through a heating process.

All teas have certain health benefits as they contain high levels of antioxidants. Almost everyone is familiar with the idea of drinking wu long tea for weight loss, for example. Contrary to what some believe, drinking black tea also provides you with similar health benefits to drinking green or wulong tea. However black tea has considerably more caffeine than either green or wu long tea, both of which contain minute amounts of caffeine. This is probably the reason why people tout green and wu long tea as being much better, health-wise, than black tea and why people tend to buy wulong tea.

Not only does green, wu long and white tea contain many beneficial properties, but there is also a long history of tradition when it comes to brewing these teas. Often brewed by tea masters in Tea Ceremonies, the tea culture as it is called associated with these teas is both fascinating to observe as well as to learn. Learning about the tea culture surrounding these teas is beneficial as not only do you learn how to properly brew the tea to bring out the best qualities, but you learn something of the ancient Chinese mentality and beliefs, which really are very fascinating.