Ginseng Oolong - Loose Leaf Tea

What are the health benefits of this Ginseng tea?

Combining the antioxidant richness of oolong with immune-boosting ginseng, our Taiwanese Ginseng tea comes with several potential health benefits. For centuries, the Chinese have touted the health benefits of oolong tea: as an aid to weight loss, cardiovascular function and improved cognition. And recent studies have shown that drinking a couple of cups of oolong per day may indeed help break down fat while you're sleeping due to the tea's metabolism-boosting capabilities.

Meanwhile, the gnarled roots of slow-growing ginseng – usually only harvested for medicinal purposes when the plant is six years of age and up – contain active ingredients called ginsenosides. Research indicates these may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulant properties, and be particularly effective in promoting energy, reducing stress and menopausal symptoms and helping to prevent bouts of colds and flu. Like oolong, ginseng may also benefit brain function, helping to ward off diseases such as Alzheimer's, while also being effective in lowering the risk of certain cancers.

What is Taiwanese Oolong?

Also known as wulong ('black dragon'), oolong is a semi-oxidised tea, which is why it's often referred to as being halfway between a green and a black tea. Oolong teas originally hail from the province of Fujian, China, which lies just 315km from the island of Taiwan, across the Taiwan Strait. In the early 19th century, Camellia sinensis seedlings were brought from China to Taiwan, then called Formosa, and by the late 1860s, production and export of Taiwanse tea was underway. Foremost among these teas was what became popular in Britain and the US as Formosan oolong.

Today, Taiwan's oolongs are renowned the world over, accounting for some 90% of total national tea production. Large tracts of Taiwan's spectacular mountainous terrain are given over to tea gardens, with the country's many microclimates and different elevations perfectly suited to oolong's idiosyncratic personality; this, after all, is a tea of a thousand nuanced incarnations. On the whole, however, what differentiates Taiwan's oolongs from many of their Chinese counterparts is their overall lower levels of oxidation (usually in the range of 8-70%) – making for generally lighter, greener styles of tea.

Alternatives to Ginseng oolong tea

For an alternative to this luxury Taiwanese tea, why not try a caddy of our ginseng-infused Chinese Jade, grown and harvested in the mountains of Fujian, China's most famous oolong-producing region. If you're looking for an everyday option, you can't go past our Four Seasons Taiwanese tea – earthy-sweet, with a mild, nutty character, it's an easy way to get your oolong fix. When you're ready to try one of China's most sought-after teas, secure yourself an order of rich and complex Phoenix Honey Orchid. Or how about a white tea? Filled with antioxidants and floral flavours from its spring flush, our White Peony is another plush and fruity option from Fujian.

Upgrade your brewing game with our range of gaiwans and glassware – perfect for preparing your Ginseng oolong in style. Alternatively, our stunning Rare and Limited Gong Fu tea ceremony set makes a great gift for tea connoisseurs.

The climate range from humid subtropical (CFA) in the lower areas to temperate oceanic (CFB) on the peaks. In the valleys and lower hills, the temperatures typically range from 12°C to 22°C in the winter, and from 25°C to 33°C in the summer. Summer days are wet, oppressive and overcast, whilst the winter days are mild and mostly clear, with a calm breeze throughout the year.

The higher peaks experience much stronger winds, high humidity with steady precipitation throughout the year, and lower temperatures, with snow between December and April. Fog is common, with peaks dramatically emerging from behind clouds and mist. Due to the variety of climates and elevation, the region offers vary diverse habitats, rich in plant and animal species ranging from tropical to alpine.