Se Chung Oolong Tea
Oolong sits right between green tea and black, and Se Chung is one of the oldest styles: lightly oxidized, floral, and smooth without a hint of bitterness.
What It Is
Se Chung is a traditional oolong from Fujian province in China, where it has been made for centuries. Oolong is partially oxidized, meaning the leaves are allowed to brown just partway before the process is stopped. That middle path gives Se Chung its character: more depth and warmth than a green tea, none of the tannin bite of a black tea.
The flavor is gently floral with a clean, slightly toasty finish. It carries a moderate amount of caffeine, so it works well in the morning or early afternoon without pushing you past comfortable.
What To Do
Heat water until it steams but does not boil, around 185 to 195 degrees. Use about one teaspoon of loose leaves per cup and steep for three to four minutes. Pull the leaves before it turns bitter. Here is the good part: oolong holds up to two or three re-steeps, and some say the second brew is the best one.
Drink it plain to taste what it is. If you want a little sweetness, honey fits it well. Store loose leaves in a sealed container away from light and strong smells, and they will keep for a year or more.
