Customer Inquiry: Hi there. Is oolong tea considered black tea? I bought some oolong tea in Lugu, and after brewing it, the color of the leaves looks a lot like black tea, and it has a very sweet, mellow taste. So what kind of tea is oolong tea—is it black tea or green tea?
Is oolong tea black tea?
Liao Chang Xing: “Is oolong tea black tea?” This is a common question for tea beginners. Tea is primarily classified into unfermented, partially fermented, and fully fermented teas. Green tea is unfermented, black tea is fully fermented, and oolong tea falls right in between as a partially fermented tea. So, is oolong tea black tea or green tea? The answer is: oolong tea is neither black tea nor green tea. It is a partially fermented tea, making it distinct from both.
Many people have this question mainly because oolong tea’s oxidation (fermentation) levels can range anywhere from 8% to 90%. Lighter fermentation levels are easily mistaken for green tea, while heavier fermentation levels can look and taste like black tea. For instance, Pouchong and high mountain teas have an oxidation level of only 8–25%, so both the brewed tea and the leaves resemble green tea to some extent. On the other hand, heavily fermented varieties like Oriental Beauty have an oxidation level reaching 60–90%, and because of their reddish liquor, they are often thought to be black tea. In reality, they are still partially fermented oolongs. Conclusion: Oolong tea is not black tea.