Black Teas of Oolong Varietals

Black teas produced from Oolong tea plants are a more recently developed specialty from China. Traditional black teas are all made from different varietals of Xiao Ye Zhong, "Small Leaf Varietal" or Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, which are also used to produce green teas. Some execptions are made from Da Ye Zhong, "Big Leaf Varietal" or Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The first of these black teas produced with leaves of Oolong tea bushes were cross breeds between Da Ye Zhong and Oolong tea varietals. Around the millennium change, tea farmers began with the production of black tea from Oolong plants in areas renowned for their Oolong production. Black teas from Oolong tea plants display, besides the typical taste of black teas, wonderfully light, aromatic and sweet notes.