If you find drinking water is a bit too plain then there is another known healthy drink. It is none other than ‘Oolong tea’.
Meghalaya, one of the Northeastern states of India, is blessed with hilly terrain and abundant rainfall that is favourable for growing high-quality tea leaves. Meghalaya produces black, green and Oolong tea and their taste might surprise you.
What gives Meghalaya tea its flavour and taste? Find it out here.
Let me get back to Oolong tea and its benefits.
What is Oolong Tea?
Made from the leaves, sprouts, and stems of Camellia sinensis plant, oolong tea is slightly fermented and semi-oxidized, giving it a taste in between black and green tea. Oolong tea has moderate levels of catechin.
It does not only have stimulating strong taste, but it is also aromatic and the brew is clear. The health benefits of a cup of oolong tea can go a long way when it comes to your well-being. It is a widely used traditional medicine. And you can either drink it hot or cold.
Packed with antioxidants, Oolong Tea contains catechin and caffeine which fight free radicals.
Find out what is unique about Meghalaya and the potential of the land. Download ebook.
What Are the Health Benefits of Oolong Tea?
There are plenty of studies that tell us that the health benefits of drinking Oolong tea. No matter whether it’s hot or cold, it is still a refreshing drink.
Oolong tea has a unique taste and is different from the traditional green teas or black teas.
This tea is often served in Chinese restaurants as it is primarily grown and processed in China. There are many health benefits of Oolong tea. Just a single cup can provide your numerous benefits.
There are many health benefits of Oolong tea that you can experience if you start to drink it:- Boost metabolism: Oolong tea helps burn fat faster by raising your metabolism just after two hours of drinking it. It contains polyphenols that are able to block enzymes that build fat. This means you can lose weight with Oolong tea. But if you like your tea sweet then use natural honey, which has a low glycemic index.
- Lowers cholesterol: Oolong tea is known to reduce cholesterol levels and promote a healthy heart. As Oolong tea is semi-oxidized, it produces a polyphenol molecule that can activate the enzyme lipase, which is dissolved body fat.
- Increases mental awareness: A cup of Oolong tea is known to revitalize your mental alertness and performance, naturally as it contains caffeine. However, you must be careful if you are sensitive to caffeine. You can limit your consumption to one lightly steeped Oolong tea a day or indulge a few times a week.
- Aids digestion: Oolong tea can help increase digestion process. The tea alkalizes the digestive tract, reducing inflammation and reduces acidity. It is also mildly antiseptic. Oolong tea can clear and soothe your stomach.
- Promotes better skin conditions: Eczema often occurs in conjunction with allergies or sensitivities. Oolong tea is able to suppress those allergic reactions because it combats free radicals, which is a healing property of antioxidant. It also promotes vibrant and youthful skin.
- Stabilizes blood sugar level: It also helps with type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that those suffering from diabetes could benefit from drinking Oolong tea. It helps decrease blood glucose to a healthy level. The antioxidants in Oolong, which comes from polyphenols, does wonder for metabolizing sugar.
- Strengthens the immune system: Oolong tea can help assists in maintaining a healthy immune system. The antioxidant flavonoids found in the tea prevent cellular damage. Also, it is suggested that the production of anti-bacterial proteins is much higher in those who drink Oolong tea. This indicates a strong immune system response to fighting infections.
How to Drink Oolong Tea?
Let me tell you the easiest way to drink this beverage:
- Add boiling water to a cup of Oolong tea—either in teabag form or in 2 teaspoons of loose leaves.
- Then, steep for 2–5 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavour to be.
- Serve and enjoy the tea while it’s still hot.
But if you like iced tea and want a little bit more variety in flavours, here is an Oolong iced tea recipe for you!
Recipe: Oolong Lemonade Tea
Ingredients:- 6 cups of water
- 6 Oolong tea bags
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Steep the tea bag in hot water for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Cool in refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, or simply serve over ice.
- Enjoy your cup of cold Oolong tea.
Try this recipe and let me know what you think about it.
Have you ever had Meghalaya tea before? There are many tea brands in Meghalaya you can buy from.
Zizira also has a range of teas in our online store. Try them out too and contact us if you have any questions.
