What Is Oolong Tea & How Is It Made?

What Makes Oolong Tea Different?

What sets oolong tea apart from other Chinese teas is its place right in the middle of the spectrum—between green and black tea. While green tea is barely oxidized and black tea is fully oxidized, oolong is only partially oxidized, giving it a wide range of flavors from floral and creamy to roasted and nutty. This in-between state makes oolong incredibly diverse, reflecting the artistry of each tea master and the unique growing conditions of its region.

Oolong tea isn’t just a drink—it’s a craft. Each batch is the result of a long, precise process that transforms fresh tea leaves into one of the most complex and aromatic teas in the world.

How Oolong Tea Is Made

It all starts with picking. The leaves are first harvested and left to wither in the sun, a stage called shai qing, where they begin to soften and develop early aromas. Then, they’re brought indoors to continue withering, giving them a chance to rest before the next stage.

Try the Taiwanese Four Seasons Oolong!

Next, the leaves go into large bamboo barrels or metal drums to be gently tossed and bruised. This step enhances the tea’s fragrance and kick-starts the oxidation process, where the tea begins to take on its signature oolong character.

After that comes baking—a slow roast over low heat that helps control oxidation. This process, called hong gan, is where the tea’s flavor deepens and sweetens.

Once baked, the tea is rolled—traditionally by hand or even by foot, but now usually by machine for consistency. This rolling compresses the leaves into their iconic shapes and locks in the essential oils.

Finally, the tea goes through several rounds of low-temperature roasting before it’s ready to be packed.

Every tea master has their own secret rhythm for these steps—the timing, the temperature, the resting periods—all of which shape the final flavor. Combined with the natural diversity of tea leaf varieties and growing regions, this artistry is what makes oolong one of the most diverse and fascinating teas in the world.

For an deep dive on Oolong Tea check out my Youtube video!: All About Oolong

It’s part science, part intuition, and entirely delicious.