Oolong Iced Tea

There are few things as refreshing and satisfying on a hot summer day as a cold glass of iced tea. If you're looking to change up your warm-weather drink routine from the usual black or green iced teas, consider oolong.

What is Oolong Tea?

Chinese oolong falls somewhere in between the popular black and green teas—it's not as dark and oxidized as black tea, but also not quite as light as a green one. Because it falls somewhere in the middle of the tea processing spectrum, oolong teas can vary greatly from one to another. Some are noted for having sweet fruity flavors, while others are roasted and can have nutty or grainy notes. Due to this range, choosing the right oolong for iced tea is a bit of a challenge. However, most oolong teas are refreshing served cold, so feel free to explore your options.

This recipe calls for a naturally sweet oolong, so you'll only need to add a dab of honey for a perfectly sweet tea.

How to Make Better Iced Tea

Choosing the Best Oolong for Iced Tea

There are two oolong teas that come highly recommended for this recipe. Originally from Taiwan, Oriental Beauty (also known as white tip oolong) is harvested from young tea plants so the oxidization process can start from the moment they're plucked. It's a highly oxidized (usually around 70 percent) tea that's naturally sweet and slightly sour.

Many tea drinkers consider Taiwan to be the capital of oolong tea, so it's no surprise that this second recommendation, Wen Shan Bao Zhong, also hails from that country. This tea, which comes from the Wen Shan mountain range, is a low-oxidized oolong that's often described as smooth, sweet, and floral. Some drinkers even refer to it as having a creamy mouthfeel.

Tips for Brewing the Perfect Cup of Oolong Tea

There are two important factors to consider when steeping oolong tea: the time and temperature. Each type of tea has its own ideal steeping time and water temperature—for best results, we recommend consulting the directions on your tea package.

• Oolong falls right in between green and black teas when it comes to brewing temperature. The water should be about 195 F, which is near boiling, but not quite.
• As far as time goes, oolong should be steeped a little longer than black tea. For a hot tea, 5 to 8 minutes is often recommended, but you can get away with just 4 to 6 minutes in this iced tea recipe. If you find that this is not bold enough for your taste, brew your next cup a couple of minutes longer. Brewing times are going to be affected by your personal taste and the quality of your tea leaves; make any adjustments as you see fit.