Strand Tea Company

Highest Quality Tea From South Africa

Tea Infuser and Drinking Cup

September - Lemon Spice

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Where do Oolongs come from?

Historically known as Formosa, Taiwan is synonymous (in the tea world) with Oolong teas. Taiwan’s climate and steep mountain terrain have produced some of the world’s most sought after teas. The original tea plants, tea farmers, and tea production masters came from mountainous coastal Southern China where Oolongs had been made for centuries. There is always a debate in professional tea circles about the best Oolongs. At Strand Tea Company, we taste each year’s production from different regions in China and Taiwan, then offer a range of Oolongs for every taste and price range.

Brewing Oolong (and other teas)

For each 6 oz. cup of tea use a rounded teaspoon of loose leaves. Use boiling water for Black Teas, just under boiling for Oolong, and hot (about 150 degree) water for Green Tea. We've tried all of our teas at varying brewing times and have put our recommendations on the package in order to get the best flavor. Sometimes even a 15-30 second difference in brewing time makes a big change in how the tea tastes. Of course, it's all a matter of your taste... So have fun and enjoy!

Iced Teas

The idea of drinking iced tea originated in 1904 at the St. Louis World Trade Fair when a heat wave forced an inventive tea purveyor to try something different. Americans still consume most of their tea over ice, upwards of 1.6 billion glasses annually. Relax, refresh, and enjoy! Many of our teas are great over ice. They tend to remain clear when cold. Note that most teas will not cloud if they are allowed to cool down naturally before adding ice.

Notes From Our Customers

"Finally… something I can really enjoy without the added milk and sugar… and I appreciate having so many wonderful varieties to choose from!"
-Sharon B., Sandy, Oregon

"Your company has inspired me to rearrange my whole kitchen… we now have a special tea section."
-Madelyn A., Milwaukee, Oregon

"I need more of that Yunnan tea because I am going to be drinking it into my 90's! Your tea has converted me from coffee… I can't believe it! I feel so much better now!"
-Nancy J., Portland, Oregon

Ti Kuan Yin Super Fancy

Translated from the Chinese, Oolong means "black dragon.” These semi-processed teas are produced almost entirely in China and Formosa where they are treasured.

The Oolongs are naturally low in caffeine, aromatic and have a surprising array of delicate fruity and nutty flavors, some with amazing floral aromas. They are good with meals in the traditional Chinese way or drunk alone just about any time of day. It is often said in tea lore that true lovers of tea always prize Oolongs the most.

Oolongs have recently made their way into the Western Tea Drinkers lexicon of health benefits. Research is ongoing but suggests modest weight loss, better digestion, and healthier skin.

Three things you should know about Oolong Teas:

1. Oolongs range from the Jade Oolongs which are more like green teas to the Amber Oolongs which are more like black teas. This has to do with the amount of oxidation of the leaf just before it is dried. The less oxidation the more “green” and the more oxidation the more “black” the final tea becomes.

2. Putting an Oolong in a teabag is like smashing fine porcelain. Oolong leaves become magnificently large and aromatic when brewed. One would never squeeze it into a tight space – so allow plenty of room for the leaves to present themselves.

3. "Tea is a work of art. Each preparation of the leaves has its individuality, its special affinity with water and heat, its hereditary memories to recall, its own method of telling a story." Okakura Kakuzo, The Book of Tea, 1906

	'Three Treasures' Oolong Three Treasures Oolong is a delicious treat from the famous Anxi Region of Fujian Province, home of the Ti Kwan Yin and Hairy Crab Oolongs. 'Three Treasures' refers to the tea itself and… $4.95
	Ancient Beauty Jasmine Oolong The New 2009 Ancient Beauty has arrived!! It's time to join the Ancient Beauty Society. Naturally Grown dark Amber Oolong from heritage tea plants found in the mountains of the Bulang reg… $5.95
	Dessert Oolong A unique Amber oolong from South China flavored with pieces of caramel. This tea brews rich and flavorful with a mild sweetness. Sure to please your guests after dinner or with dessert.… $4.95
	Formosa Choicest - Amber Oolong A Teahouse tea from South China. Small curled and twisted leaves with occasional silver bud sets brew a medium-bodied, smooth, flavorful cup with flowery aromas in the classic Formosa style. Thi… $3.95
	Formosa Super Fancy – Amber Oolong The long, delicately twisted leaves with many silver budsets produce a very smooth taste with the peach flavors and flowery aromas Which linger on the palate. This is the kind of tea one experie… $9.50
	Ginseng Oolong - Southern China Coast A medium oxidized Ti Kwan Yin (Tie Guan Yin) Amber Oolong which is tightly curled and dried, then rolled in Ginseng and Chinese Sweetgrass (Stevia) Powder. This tea is unique, interesting, leave… $4.50
	Green Dragon Tung Ting Formosa Oolong Green Dragon Tung Ting Oolong from Formosa is one of our top 5 favorite teas here in the Strand Tea office and is highly acclaimed by tea professionals. New leaves and budsets are moderately oxi… $7.50
	Iron Goddess of Mercy – Ti Kuan Yin (Tie Guan Yin) First Grade Jade Oolong This is one of our most popular teas and yes, that is the actual name translated from Chinese. It is oxidized a little more than the Green Dragon resulting in deeper flavors. When brewed correct… $5.25
	Parkside Estate Amber Oolong This Oolong is a limited production tea made only once per year at Parkside Estate in the Nilgiri Region of south India. A master teamaker from China was brought to Parkside to help supervise th… OUT OF STOCK $4.50
	Quangzhou 'Milk' Oolong 'Milk' Oolong is one of those rare finds enjoyed by tea beginners and experts alike. It indeed has a light creamy flavor layered in on top of it's great orchid like notes and smooth taste.… $6.95
	Seven Buddhas Jade Oolong A lightly oxidized, hand crafted tea from Anxi County, South China made by a small family farmer. It is a little lighter than the Ti Kwan Yins or the Green Dragon, more in the Pouchong St… $4.50
	Ti Kuan Yin Super Fancy Jade Oolong Jade Oolong from Anxi County, South china. This is a lightly oxidized, true Tie Guan Yin with layers and layers of complexity and flavor. It has a nice balance of floral aromas and melon l… $7.50
	Wuyi Mountain Shuixian Oolong ORGANIC. Amber Oolong from Wu Yi mountain area of South China. Many of this areas teas are also knows as Rou Gui or “Rock Teas” because the tea plants are scattered in little wild pa… $4.95