Loose leaf
Oolong
Tealyra Milk Oolong (Jin Xuan)
Re-steep it three times. Each one tells a different story.
By the leaf
Oolong.
The middle ground. Half-oxidized. Built for re-steeping.
Brew temp
195°F
Steep time
3-5 min
Caffeine
medium
The short answer
Brew oolong tea at 195°F for 3-5 min. It carries a moderate amount of caffeine. The middle ground. Half-oxidized. Built for re-steeping.
Oolong, xxxShort on time? The three we would pour first, and the one rule that keeps them honest.What we recommend.
5 reviews
Loose leaf
Oolong
Teavivre Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess) Oolong
Orchid on the first steep. Biscuit on the third. Five-plus rounds if you respect it.
Loose leaf
Oolong
Teavivre Da Hong Pao Wuyi Rock Oolong
Heavy roast. Wuyi rock. The closest tea gets to a single malt.
Loose leaf
Oolong
Alishan High Mountain Oolong Loose Leaf
Grown above the clouds. Cream and orchid, no astringency. Steep it six times.
Loose leaf
Oolong
Phoenix Dancong Mi Lan Xiang Honey Orchid Oolong
Honey orchid arrives before the cup. Stone fruit on the first steep. Wood on the third.
Oolong, head to head.
All comparisons →Creamy vs. OrchidTealyra Milk Oolong (Jin Xuan) vs. Teavivre Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess) OolongThe dessert oolong, or the floral one.Light Roast vs. Wuyi RockTeavivre Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess) Oolong vs. Teavivre Da Hong Pao Wuyi Rock OolongSame family. Different mineral content.Taiwanese altitude vs. Fujian orchidAlishan High Mountain Oolong Loose Leaf vs. Teavivre Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess) OolongTwo oolongs that meet on the same shelf and nowhere else.FAQ
Oolong tea, answered.
What temperature should I brew oolong tea at?+
Oolong tea brews best at 195°F. Match the water to the leaf: too hot and it turns bitter, too cool and it brews flat.
How long do you steep oolong tea?+
Steep oolong tea for 3-5 min. Pull the leaf at the end of that window rather than leaving it in the cup, or the later sips turn astringent.
Does oolong tea have caffeine?+
Yes, a moderate amount. Oolong tea sits in the middle: enough for a lift without a jolt.
What's the best oolong tea to buy?+
We rate Tealyra Milk Oolong (Jin Xuan) among the standouts. Re-steep it three times. Each one tells a different story. See all 5 oolong picks reviewed above.
Brew it right
The full oolong method: ratio, water, technique.