These are teas for which oxidation has been interrupted mid-process. 2 main categories: lightly oxidised teas (10%-15% oxidation - Chinese way) and more oxidised teas (60%-70% - Taiwanese way)
However, each plantation has its own recipes and produces teas with a degree of oxidation that does not necessarily correspond to these two categories.

Stages of oolong tea manufacturing
  • Withering
    ▪ Leaves are left to wilt out for a few hrs under slatted panels that filter sunlight.
    ▪ Some moisture evaporates before the leaves are in a room with high moisture
    ▪ Oxidation occurs during the sweating phase.
    ▪ Oxidation is the result of an enzyme which causes the leaves to turn red from the edges towards the centre and determines aromatic profile of the tea.
  • Rolling
    ▪ Once the desired degree of oxidation has been reached, roasting allows the enzyme reaction to be stopped.
    ▪ This procedure is identical to that used to produce green teas.
  • Rolling
    ▪ The rolling process gives the tea leaves their twisted shape.
    ▪ Naturally, the leaves are often very large and are simply creased or rolled into large pearls, as is the case with Dong Ding teas.
  • Sweating
    ▪ This is the most important stage in the preparation of semi-oxidised teas.
    ▪ The leaves are placed at a constant temp.of 22°C - 25°C with a humidity level of 85%, they are continually stirred with ever-increasing force.
    ▪ This allows the aroma to be released and facilitates the evaporation of water.
    ▪ The final degree of sweating depends on duration of this process: oxidation is stopped when leaves have reached a 10%-12% degree of oxidation, which produces light teas with a leafy flavor.
    ▪ The longer period of sweating allowing oxidation of up to 70% to produce darker, fruitier teas.
You have successfully subscribed!
This email has been registered