A close-up of traditional Chinese oolong tea brewing using a gaiwan. Hot water is being poured over loose-leaf oolong tea, with small teacups and a wooden tea tray in the background.

Oolong Tea Brewing: The Complete Guide

Written by: Camille Liu

February 8, 2025

Time to read 6 min

Introduction

Oolong tea is a unique and semi-oxidized tea that falls between green and black tea, offering a rich, complex flavor profile.

Brewing oolong tea correctly enhances its taste and brings out its delicate aroma. If you're wondering how to make oolong tea, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process, covering everything from oolong tea loose-leaf directions to the best oolong tea temperature and oolong tea brew time.

Table of Content

Introduction Understanding Oolong Tea How Much Oolong Tea Per Cup? Water Temperature for Oolong Tea Must Have Products For Tea Lovers How Long to Steep Oolong Tea? Oolong Tea Loose Leaf Directions Additional Oolong Tea Brewing Methods Products For Tea Lovers Can You Add Milk to Oolong Tea? How to Drink Oolong Tea Conclusion Products Featured In This Blog Frequently Asked Questions Related Readings

Understanding Oolong Tea

Before we dive into the how to prepare oolong tea process, it's essential to understand what makes oolong special. Unlike green tea, which is unoxidized, and black tea, which is fully oxidized, oolong tea undergoes partial oxidation.

This gives it a balance of floral, fruity, and roasted notes. The oolong tea taste can range from light and floral to deep and roasted, depending on the processing method.

The oxidation level of oolong tea varies from 10% to 80%, which significantly impacts its flavor and brewing process. Lightly oxidized oolongs tend to be more floral and fresh, while heavily oxidized ones take on a rich, roasted character with hints of caramel and chocolate.

Choosing the right oolong tea depends on your preference for lighter or darker tea profiles. Some oolongs, like Tieguanyin, are known for their light, flowery notes, whereas others, like Da Hong Pao, offer a deeper, more roasted profile.

Traditional Chinese tea ceremony featuring a dark clay teapot pouring hot oolong tea into a porcelain teacup. Several smaller teacups are arranged on a wooden tea tray in a warm, elegant tea room setting.

Close-up of a traditional Chinese teapot pouring freshly brewed oolong tea into delicate porcelain teacups. The tea set is placed on a wooden tray, creating a serene and authentic tea-drinking experience.

How Much Oolong Tea Per Cup?

The amount of tea you use plays a significant role in achieving the best flavor. The standard recommendation is 2 to 3 grams (about 1 teaspoon) of loose leaf oolong tea per 8 ounces of water. However, if you prefer a stronger taste, you can increase the amount slightly.

For larger brewing vessels such as a gaiwan or Yixing teapot, you may want to use 5-7 grams of tea leaves per session, especially if you plan to do multiple infusions. When brewing gongfu-style, more tea is used to maximize the depth of flavor across multiple short steeps.

A general rule of thumb is that the more oxidized and tightly rolled the oolong, the more tea you should use. Since tightly rolled oolongs expand significantly when steeped, it’s crucial to allow room for them to open fully, releasing their complete aroma and taste.

Elegant porcelain teacup with intricate floral patterns, filled with steaming hot tea. Wisps of steam rise gracefully, creating a soothing and artistic visual against a soft teal background.

Water Temperature for Oolong Tea

One of the most important factors in brewing oolong tea is the water temperature. The best oolong tea temperature depends on the level of oxidation:

Lightly oxidized oolong tea: 175-185°F (80-85°C)

Medium oxidized oolong tea: 185-195°F (85-90°C)

Heavily oxidized oolong tea: 195-205°F (90-96°C)

Using water that is too hot can burn the delicate leaves, while water that is too cool won't extract the full range of flavors. If you’re unsure, start with water around 185°F (85°C) and adjust based on the tea’s response.

When heating water for oolong tea, it's best to avoid using re-boiled water, as this can deplete oxygen levels, leading to a flatter taste. Instead, use fresh, filtered water heated to the appropriate temperature.

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How Long to Steep Oolong Tea?

Steeping time significantly affects the oolong tea. The oolong brew time varies based on the type of oolong you are using:

Light oolong tea: Steep for 1-2 minutes
Medium oolong tea: Steep for 2-3 minutes
Dark oolong tea: Steep for 3-5 minutes

For how long to steep oolong tea in subsequent infusions, you can slightly increase the time by 30 seconds to 1 minute per steep. Oolong tea can typically be steeped 5-8 times, with the flavors evolving over each infusion.

For those brewing gongfu-style, a traditional oolong brew time for the first steep is around 20-30 seconds, followed by multiple shorter steeps to capture the changing flavor notes.

Cozy tea moment captured as hot tea is poured into a beautifully patterned porcelain cup, set against a serene, rainy outdoor backdrop. Steam rises gently, adding to the warm and tranquil atmosphere.

Further Readings

→ How to Make Ginger Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide

→ Does Tea Make You Poop?

A close-up of a cup of freshly brewed oolong tea with a rich golden hue, placed on a rustic wooden tray. Surrounding the cup are loose-leaf oolong tea leaves and a small wooden spoon, evoking a natural and artisanal tea experience.

A top-down view of a cup of golden-hued oolong tea next to a pile of loose-leaf oolong tea leaves on a wooden surface, highlighting the rich color and texture of the tea.

"Tea is the magic key to the vault where my brain is kept."

Frances Hardinge

Oolong Tea Loose Leaf Directions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

Loose leaf oolong tea

A teapot, gaiwan, or infuser

A kettle to heat the water

A tea strainer (optional)

A tea cup

A tea tray (for gongfu brewing)

Step 2: Rinse the Tea Leaves

Before the first steep, quickly rinse the tea leaves with hot water for 5 seconds and discard the water. This "awakens" the leaves, enhances the aroma, and removes any dust or impurities.

Step 3: First Steep

Add the tea leaves to your teapot or gaiwan.

Pour hot water over the leaves, using the recommended water temperature for oolong tea.

Steep for the appropriate time (1-5 minutes, depending on the oxidation level).

Pour and enjoy your first cup.

Step 4: Multiple Infusions

One of the great benefits of oolong tea is that it can be steeped multiple times. For each new infusion, increase the oolong tea brew time slightly to extract new layers of flavor. Some oolongs can go up to 10 steeps when brewed correctly.

Additional Oolong Tea Brewing Methods

Beyond the basic brewing techniques, different methods bring out unique characteristics of oolong tea.

Traditional Chinese Brewing (Gongfu Style)

Use a small gaiwan or Yixing clay teapot
Add a higher tea-to-water ratio (5-7 grams per 100ml water)
Perform multiple short steeps (starting at 20-30 seconds, increasing gradually)
Focus on aroma and evolving flavors across infusions

Western Brewing Method

Use a teapot with an infuser
Steep for longer durations (3-5 minutes)
Larger volume of water with less tea (2-3 grams per 8 ounces of water)

A traditional tea ceremony with a clay teapot pouring steaming hot oolong tea into a row of small porcelain cups. Loose tea leaves rest on the table, enhancing the authentic and serene tea experience.

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Can You Add Milk to Oolong Tea?

While oolong tea is typically enjoyed plain, some varieties, like milk oolong tea, have a naturally creamy texture.

Adding milk to oolong tea is uncommon but possible if you prefer a richer, smoother experience.

Light floral oolongs are best enjoyed plain, while darker oolongs can pair well with milk or even a touch of honey.

A rustic ceramic cup filled with creamy milk oolong tea, surrounded by loose oolong tea leaves on a textured burlap surface, creating a warm and cozy tea-drinking atmosphere.

A serene tea setup on a wooden table bathed in warm sunlight, featuring a traditional Chinese porcelain teapot, teacups, and an elegant decorative plate with floral artwork. The background showcases a peaceful garden view through a wooden lattice window, evoking a tranquil tea-drinking experience.

How to Drink Oolong Tea

Drinking oolong tea is more than just consuming a beverage; it's an experience. Here are some tips for enjoying it:

Sip slowly and appreciate the evolving flavors
Try it plain before adding sweeteners or milk
Pair with complementary snacks like dried fruits or light pastries
Experiment with different steeping times and temperatures to find your ideal brew

"Tea tempers the spirits, calms and harmonizes the mind, and awakens thought."

Lu Yu

Further Readings

→ The Ultimate Guide to Black Tea: Types, Characteristics, and How to Choose Quality Tea

→ 10 Quick Oolong Tea Recipes You Can Try Today

Conclusion

Mastering the how to prepare oolong tea process enhances the tea-drinking experience. By using the right oolong tea temperature, oolong tea brew time, and oolong tea loose leaf directions, you can enjoy a perfectly balanced cup every time. Now that you know how long to steep oolong tea, the ideal oolong tea temperature, and how much oolong tea per cup, it's time to brew a cup and savor the deliciousness!

Whether you prefer traditional gongfu-style brewing or a simple Western approach, oolong tea offers a versatile and rewarding drinking experience. Experiment with different varieties and brewing techniques to find the method that best suits your taste.

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The Author: Camille Liu

Camille comes from an extended tea-making family, which has passed on their knowledge from generation to generation. At Red Rock Tea House, our story continues through Camille. She has been cultivating tea at her family farm for over 100 years! This heritage continues today at our company!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to brew oolong tea?

The best way to brew oolong tea depends on your preference. Traditional gongfu-style brewing uses a gaiwan or Yixing teapot with a high tea-to-water ratio and multiple short infusions. For a simpler method, Western brewing involves steeping oolong tea in a teapot for 3-5 minutes with a lower tea-to-water ratio.

Can oolong tea be steeped multiple times?

Yes! Oolong tea is known for multiple infusions. Each steep extracts different flavors. You can steep oolong tea 5-10 times, with the steeping time increasing slightly with each infusion.

Should I rinse oolong tea before brewing?

Yes! Quickly rinsing the tea leaves with hot water for 5 seconds removes impurities and helps awaken the tea for better flavor extraction.

Does oolong tea have caffeine?

Yes, oolong tea contains caffeine, but the amount varies based on oxidation and steeping time. It has less caffeine than black tea but more than green tea, making it a balanced option for moderate energy without the jitters.