Are Wu Yi Tea and Oolong Tea the Same Thing?

Simple! Because wu yi tea is oolong tea. Confusing? It is not, really, but first you should know a few things about the various types of tea.

Camellia sinensis is the plant for which all real teas are harvested. The final product, or variety, depends on how it is processed.

Over 75% of tea produced in the world is the highly popular black tea. The leaves are harvested and then withered by leaving them out. The remaining moisture is then rolled out via a machine (CTC) or the old-fashioned way by hand (orthodox). The hand method leaves the tea in tact more while the CTC method is a bit harsher leaving the leaves more crushed.

They are then spread out in a cool, damp place to oxidize. This turns the leaves from green to brownish color. The tea leaves are then dried using hot air. Finally, the tea is sorted into various grades depending the final leaf size.

Green tea goes through a similar process, however the oxidation step is left out which allows the leaves to remain green. Instead, after the tea is dried, it is steamed to stop the oxidation process. This also helps maintain the integrity of the nutrients in green tea, though black tea also retains some of its nutritional value. Green tea is rather grassy in flavor due to the lack of oxidation.

Now, white tea is a rather special little tea. It is harvested only few days a year when the buds on the Camellia sinensis plant have yet to open. White tea processing is like green tea, but the young leaves lend to a very delicate, smooth flavor and aroma. We are finally seeing more white tea distribution, though it was once reserved for Chinese nobility. Because of its difficulty in harvesting, it is rather pricey.

Perhaps oolong is the best tea because it is not as pricey as white tea, but it has a great flavor more like black tea. Plus, it retains most of its nutrients and weight loss capabilities like green tea and white tea. Unlike white or green tea, oolong tea is oxidized to some extent, which is what lends to the flavor. However, it still has most of its nutrients and it can be harvested like green or black tea using more mature leaves.

Okay, so why do we call some oolong tea, wu yi tea? Think of it more as a brand name, but perhaps a bit more special. Wu yi tea is oolong tea so named for the chain of mountains where it grows. The Wuyi mountain chain in Northeastern China is home to the Camellia sinensis plant where wu yi tea is harvested.

You can sort of compare the naming to Florida oranges or Washington apples. This northeastern area of China is capable of growing the best tea in the world because of the climate. The soil, cool weather and protection from the mountains produce great tea.

Wu yi tea like white tea was once considered a gift for nobility. It is now available to the rest of the world who have embraced not only its health and weight loss benefits, but also it is gorgeous flavor more akin to black tea.

Find out how the stars are losing weight safely and effectively with wu yi tea. Go there now and get your own free e-book by signing up to our amazing newsletter packed with hints on dieting, exercise and wu yi green tea.