Oolong means “black dragon.” So when someone talks to you about black dragon tea, don’t immediately conclude that he’s talking about the rich and flavorful Chinese black tea you’re used to. Chances are he’s actually referring to the more delicate but equally flavorful oolong tea.

Because of the way black dragon tea is processed, it is sometimes called partially fermented tea or semi-green tea. It is a tea that combines some of the best qualities of both black and green tea.

If you value green tea for its delicate taste and health benefits, then you are sure to find that black dragon tea is just as delicate but with a characteristic fruity taste commonly associated with fully fermented black tea. But if you prefer a slightly less aromatic version of black tea, then black dragon tea may well suit your palate.

How Black Dragon Tea is Produced

Made from the partially oxidized leaf of the Camellia sinensis, the plant where all tea types come from, the leaves used in making black dragon tea range in size from young to fully mature. Often, black dragon tea is baked or roasted after being fully dried to produce a mellower but richer flavor.

Traditional oolong teas come from China and are oxidized and roasted, producing a darker, strong tea. These include Tie Guan Yin or the “Iron Goddess”; Fuo Shou or the “Buddha Hand”; and Monkey-Picked, and Wu Yi Oolong.

Next to China, black dragon tea is also quite popular in Taiwan where it is produced in great numbers. Taiwan black dragon tea are highly esteemed for their smooth flavor which they say is achieved through the use of fully mature, new-growth, and hand-picked leaves which are only slightly oxidized before being tightly rolled and dried. The method actually makes a tea that is very close to green tea, but with a much more complex, intriguing, and rich flavor that could only be ascribed to the black dragon tea or oolong.

Taiwan high mountain oolong is typically left unroasted, whereas Dongding oolong undergoes carefully attended, long, slow roasting at low temperatures to produce a richer brew. Other types of specialty black dragon teas that require unique cultivation methods include Oriental Beauty and Baihao oolong.

What a Cup of Oolong Means

Asian culture has become increasingly integrated into Western society in an aspect more profound than the ubiquitous presence of Asian cuisine. I’m talking about more than anime, feng shui, and oriental medicine here. I’m talking about a rich cultural influence that continues to pervade modern society today. I’m talking tea, my dear, and not just any tea.

The current trend of tea has inspired many Western scientists today to search for scientific evidence that attests to how tea promotes health. Most of the studies came up with the following astounding conclusions:

* Lowers blood cholesterol

* Reduces oxidation

* Kills influenza virus

* Inhibits increase in blood pressure

* Reduces tumor growth

* Reduces mutations

* Inhibits increase of blood sugar

* Fights carcinogenic bacteria

* Prevents halitosis

* Increases mental acuity

And much, much more! Who knew a cup of black dragon tea could do so much?

Black tea has always been an all-time favorite. With its uniquely distinctive taste (both aromatic and flavorful), black tea certainly has a way with getting under your taste buds. To make black tea’s taste even more stimulating, a lot of people have tried experimenting with its flavor. As a result, flavored black tea was created, and one of the most popular varieties of flavored black tea turned out to be black rum tea.

What is Black Rum Tea?

Black rum tea is exactly what its name suggests. It is black tea combined with a bit of rum to make your tea experience more interesting. Black tea has always been a favorite, especially in the U.S. market. Black rum tea combines all the distinct characteristics that make black tea so wonderful with another popular beverage - rum.

Below are our top picks for black rum tea:

StashTea - Jamaican Butter Rum Tea

The Jamaican butter black rum tea at StashTea is a fine blend of Ceylon, Indian, and Chinese black teas and combined them with natural rum, sweet butterscotch, and creamy caramel flavors. The result is a rich and aromatic black rum tea with a slightly sweet taste, perfect as a dessert tea. For a special taste treat, add a splash of milk and some sugar into your cup.

GlenbrookFarm - Caribbean Rum Tea

Another good brand of black rum tea is Glenbrook Farm’s Caribbean black rum tea. The black tea used is fine Assam, flavored with aromatic rum for that perfect tropical island hint in your cup of tea. Glenbrook Farm offers their Caribbean rum tea in 4 oz., 8 oz., or 16 oz.

Adagio - Rum Tea

Adaigo Teas has always been known to produce excellent quality tea. Now, with their new black rum tea, they offer you the perfect gourmet tea - premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of island rum. Adaigo’s rum tea is an intoxicating treat, not only because it has a dash of alcohol in it, but because the intensity of its flavors. If you like your black tea served with added flavors, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the superior flavor of Adaigo’s black rum tea.

UrbanTeaParty - Black Rum Tea

“No worries, ‘mon.” That’s exactly what UrbanTeaParty offers with their premium black tea from China flavored with a spoonful of tropical island rum. Offered at 4 oz., making ten cups, this black rum tea is intoxicating and soothing all at once.

CulinaryTeas - Buttered Black Rum Tea

CulinaryTeas offers their buttered black rum tea, using the following lines: “Aye matey, ever been to sea? Don’t forget this tea!” First discovered in 16th century England, the British navy adored rum because it was found to last longer than beer, which meant less spoilage, less waste, more happy hour for the sailor boy. Now, CulinaryTeas offers tea that is sure to remind you of how it was during the sailing days with their loose leaf tea and tea bag sachets.

Wellcat - Jamaican Rum Royal

Its name says it all. Wellcat Jamaican Rum Royal is an exciting black rum tea drink. A touch of rum gives your black tea a bolder and more exciting flavor. A dash of black tea gives your rum a unique taste. The Jamaican Rum Royal is both for the rum lover and the tea drinker.

You can have it hot or cold, black or green, herbal or lemon; yes what we are talking about is tea. Tea is the most popular beverage worldwide. The discovery of tea was done in 2700bc by a Chinese emperor, also a scientist, Shen Nung. In the Indian and Japanese legend tea was supposedly discovered by a Buddhist missionary monk Daruma. Shen Nung had discovered tea when some leaves from the garden fell into his pot of boiling water resulting in a refreshing drink where as it is believed Daruma on being disappointed of himself for not being able to complete his nine year meditation had cut off his eyelids and thrown it on the ground from which originated the tea plant. It was the monkeys who were first trained to pick tea leaves.

Tea slowly gained popularity among the French and the Dutch, but due to its high cost remained a drink for the wealthy. With the passage of time and the increasing popularity different processes of brewing, preparing and drinking tea was evolved. Marquise de seven was the first to have mentioned the addition of milk to tea giving the drink a new dimension.

Tea was first taken to Europe by the Dutch in the 1600bc. In the 1700bc tea was first sold in a fashionable coffee house by Thomas. John Dorniman was the first to sell tea in nett weighed packets. The first European to write about tea was father Jasper De Cruz, in the year 1560, who tasted the drink at a missionary. The duchess of Bedford originated the custom of afternoon tea but the credit turning it into a pastime should be given to Queen Victoria.

Tea was originally grown in china and exported to Europe and other parts of the world. china emerged as the trader of tea . Due to the steep rise in demand and also to keep a check on the balance of trade the Europeans started looking for other places where tea could be grown .this search gave birth to the tea fields of India . Later Europe imported tea from India followed by Ceylon.

The history of tea also enhances our general knowledge. When we move back in time, we learn that the practice of tipping was developed in the tea gardens of England where a small wooden locked box labeled tips (to insure prompt service) was kept for its customers. Customers came and went by, years and centuries passed by, only to take to new heights the refreshing drink called Tea.