Excess weight, which is a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition, affects not only self-esteem, but also leads to self-doubt. Extra pounds have a negative effect on health - blood pressure rises, cardiovascular diseases develop, and the musculoskeletal system suffers. In the process of losing weight, nutritionists recommend drinking plenty of fluids. Along with clean water, green teas are also used; Chinese oolong is considered one of the healthiest.
Beneficial properties of oolong tea for weight loss
Green tea with a delicate taste and pleasant aroma came to us from China, where it is very popular due to its healing qualities. The name of the drink is translated from Chinese as “dark dragon” . It is grown in the provinces of Fujian and Guadong. In the process of breeding work, the camellia tree, from which raw materials for tea are obtained, turned into tall bushes. This plant is also cultivated in Taiwan and Sri Lanka.
The characteristic taste and delicate aroma are the result of special processing. Only the edges of the leaves are fermented or dried. There are strongly and weakly fermented drinks. The first is produced in China, the second in Taiwan. To produce milk oolong, a special extract is used, thanks to which the drink acquires a light aroma of milk and caramel notes.
The tea drink has the following beneficial properties:
- Improves the metabolic process in the body.
- Strengthens the immune system and activates the body's defenses.
- Reduces the risk of developing cancer.
- Makes the walls of blood vessels more elastic and strengthens them, which reduces the risk of thrombophlebitis.
- Cleanses the body by removing toxins and waste.
- Slows down the aging process by regenerating new cells.
- Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
- Stimulates mental activity.
- Helps strengthen joints.
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Oolong tea for weight loss has virtually no restrictions on its use, but it is necessary to brew the drink correctly to achieve the desired result.
What does oolong taste like?
The taste of oolong tea depends on the preparation method and the number of steepings. All variations are united by a fresh, delicate taste with a subtle bitterness and pronounced milky-herbal undertones. Depending on the type, fruit accents of kiwi, papaya or citrus may predominate. The taste of oolong tea feels like caramel milk, but surprisingly, it contains absolutely no milk. This is a natural taste determined by the raw materials (type of tea bush) and processing technology during the production of real oolong.
Try real oolong tea. Oolong warms and inspires!
With warm hugs, Your Wanglang Team
Compound
The components that make up oolong tea are uplifting, inspiring and calming. The main chemical substances of oolong (as this variety is also called) are presented :
- Essential oils are volatile compounds related to organic substances.
- Minerals - magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium.
- Vitamins - B, A, C, E and R.
- Tannins.
- Polyphenols.
- Tea caffeine, the so-called theine.
Milk oolong tea, used for weight loss, also contains aromatic oils, aldehydes and complex acids.
Tips and reviews
Igor. Once I tried milk oolong while visiting my sister. Since then this has been my favorite tea. Very rich taste with a pleasant bitterness. Good tea of this type should have a slight milky flavor. If it is pronounced, then most likely it is just ordinary tea soaked in milk.
Ksenia. When I hear: tea for weight loss or coffee for weight loss, it always becomes funny. But no drink can help if you sit on the couch. Tear off your butt and blow into the hall. And then tea will definitely “help”. If they don't wash it down with cakes.
Effect on weight loss
When getting rid of extra pounds, a healthy and aromatic drink affects the body in the following way::
- Improves the functioning of the digestive organs.
- Flavonoids and polyphenols help activate metabolism and regulate metabolism.
- Has a tonic effect on the body.
- Reduces blood cholesterol levels.
- Regulates the functioning of the nervous system.
- Removes excess fluid from the body, thereby eliminating swelling, and normalizes the water-salt balance.
- Improves the breakdown of fats and removes them.
- Improves intestinal motility.
- Pectins contained in tea leaves contribute to a feeling of fullness even from small portions of food.
- The amino acid glutamine reduces anxiety and stress levels.
Another beneficial quality that Chinese tea has and due to which nutritionists recommend including it in the daily diet is called thermogenesis . The caffeine included in the composition is responsible for this property. Since the release of heat accompanies all processes occurring in the body, it requires energy. Some part comes from food, some from the so-called body reserves.
Tea activates tissue oxidation, so the burning of subcutaneous fat reserves occurs much faster. In addition, they are not deposited in problem areas. The level of fatty acids and glucose increases, a person feels a surge of strength and vigor, and accordingly, more calories are spent.
It is noteworthy that it is oolong tea that contains the optimal amount of caffeine, which, on the one hand, promotes the breakdown of fats, and on the other, does not have a negative effect on the state of the cardiovascular system and does not provoke an increase in blood pressure.
Harm and contraindications
According to many scientists, white oolong tea is safe for health and has a minimum of contraindications. This expensive drink can become harmful only if consumed in unlimited quantities.
Theine contained in tea increases blood pressure. Therefore, it is prohibited for pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients suffering from hypertension, and people with cardiac arrhythmias. In these cases, instead of benefit, you can cause harm to your health.
Contraindications to drinking milk tea are:
- diseases of the digestive system;
- gastritis and ulcers with increased acidity of gastric juice;
- tendency to develop allergic reactions;
- kidney diseases.
Chinese tea lovers need to monitor the condition of their teeth: coloring substances destroy tooth enamel and leave marks. In this case, it is recommended to take proper care of your oral cavity.
How to brew oolong tea for weight loss
In order for healthy and tasty tea to help solve the problem of excess weight, you must follow the rules for its preparation.
Step-by-step instructions for brewing a drink:
- Since tea is most often sold in granules, it is necessary to take into account that they will swell when brewed. If leaves are used, be sure to wash them under running water.
- Use ceramic or glass dishes for cooking; a clay teapot is also suitable. This is due to the fact that such materials retain heat longer and do not oxidize when hot water hits them.
- Fill the granules with water, the temperature of which does not exceed 90 degrees. When exposed to boiling water, tea loses its beneficial properties, as the components in the composition are destroyed.
- First, the container is doused with boiling water, and only after that the tea leaves are poured.
- If granules are used rather than leaves, it is recommended to pour out the first brew; experts do not recommend drinking it.
- Tea brewed a second time is suitable for consumption. It is kept for 15 minutes and poured into a cup.
- The same raw material is used for brewing several times, and the taste and color of the drink will change.
Brewing rules for weight loss
Chinese teas require special treatment. Therefore, you need to brew them, following all the technology, so that the wonderful taste and aroma will be preserved, and the vitamins will fill the body with benefits. To prepare Oolong tea, you need tea leaves and clean water, then you need to follow these steps:
- As a rule, it is in the form of granules, so you need to add them in small quantities, about a third of the kettle. In hot water they will open and fill the rest of the space.
- For brewing, it is better to use a ceramic or clay teapot, because they retain heat inside longer and the tea has time to open.
- You need to pour tea with hot water, but not boiling water, that is, no higher than 80 - 90 degrees.
- Before brewing, pour boiling water over the teapot, then add leaves.
- The granules are poured in and the liquid is immediately drained. Experts do not recommend drinking the first brew.
- You can drink the second infusion. There is no need to keep the tea for a long time. You can add water several times, the taste is constantly changing.
If it’s a pity to pour a lot, then you can brew at the rate of one teaspoon per cup.
The process of preparing the drink also depends on the degree of fermentation. For weak Oolong, use water at a temperature of 60 - 70 degrees, and for strong - 90.
To learn how to brew Oolong tea, watch this video:
Cool green with lemon
It is not always possible to drink tea hot, for example, in the heat. In addition, it is useful to use it on the road, on the way to work. A great option would be pre-prepared, refreshing iced green tea. You can brew it as follows:
- grate the lemon zest;
- pour it into the second pour of tea;
- Pour the drink into a container with a lid and place in the refrigerator.
This drink gives an interesting taste, quenches thirst well and curbs appetite when you want to snack on unhealthy fast food.
With ginger
The root of this plant also has many beneficial properties for the body and weight loss. Ginger should be finely chopped. In this case, it is better to use tea leaves for one cup. And in a teapot it can change the taste of tea, and besides, ginger cannot be poured several times. Small pieces are placed directly into the cup, then tea is poured. To fight a cold, you can add a teaspoon of natural honey.
How to drink oolong tea correctly
It is important not only to brew a healthy drink correctly, but also to follow the recommendations for its use.:
- You can drink tea either hot or cold. Drink no more than 3 cups per day.
- Since oolong tea reduces appetite and promotes better metabolism, drink it before meals.
- An afternoon snack or dinner is replaced with one cup of tea, so the body does not receive at least 500 calories, which has a positive effect on weight loss.
- Oolong is also used in desserts, such as ice cream. The brew is poured into ice molds and later added to the dessert.
- Do not put sugar or honey in tea under any circumstances; drink milk oolong without sweeteners.
Secrets of application
Milk Oolong will be especially tasty and healthy if you know how to brew it correctly.
- If oolong (Milk Oolong in another way) contains 20-30% fermentation, then it is brewed in the same way as regular green tea. A handful of tea leaves is poured with boiling water and left for 1-3 minutes.
- For higher content fermentations, the brewing time is 2-5 minutes.
- There is also a special cooking method called “Gung Fu Cha”. It involves several brews of tea, only after which the full aroma and properties of the drink are revealed.
Tea Recipes
Nutritionists recommend several simple recipes for preparing oolong tea, the main thing is to follow the proportions and preparation technology.
Oolong with ginger
Ginger root, which also has many healing qualities, is added to the classic recipe . Prepare the drink following step-by-step instructions :
- The ginger root is washed under running water and peeled.
- Cut it into thin slices and put several slices in a cup. You can also grate it and take 1 teaspoon for the drink.
- You should not add ginger to the teapot, as this will impair the taste of the drink.
Oolong with lemon
Drinking a hot drink on hot summer days is not always pleasant. For such cases, the following recipe is suitable, allowing you to drink oolong tea cold.
Cooking algorithm:
- Grate the zest from one medium lemon on a fine grater.
- The second time you fill the tea leaves with hot water, add it to the kettle.
- After the drink has infused, pour it into a glass container and put it in the refrigerator.
Milk oolong
Milk oolong does not involve the addition of milk, but is so called because of the special fermentation of the leaves . It is prepared according to this recipe :
- Warm up the container for brewing tea.
- Place a teaspoon of washed milk oolong leaves into it.
- Fill with hot water, which is drained after a minute.
- The second time, pour 200 ml of hot water into the teapot and let it brew for 3-5 minutes.
- The finished drink is poured into a cup and drunk in small sips.
- If necessary, the raw materials are brewed again, but it is not recommended to store wet leaves for a long time - they will lose their beneficial properties.
Oolong tea not only has a healing effect on the body, but also helps solve the problem of excess weight. However, you should not rely only on the drink - it is effective only with a comprehensive approach to weight loss, which also includes regular physical activity and adherence to proper nutrition.
Where to buy quality milk oolong
Ideally, it is best to choose milk oolong with your eyes to evaluate the condition of the tea leaves and the strength of the aroma. But a trusted online store can also be a great option. In an offline store, pay attention to the storage conditions for tea: it should be stored in a closed tin or ceramic box that does not allow sunlight to pass through. The store itself should be cool and dry, and there should be no foreign odors. If the room is burning incense sticks (there were precedents) or smells of spices, you can turn around and leave, there is no good tea here (not anymore! Or there wasn’t even one in the first place).
How to choose a good milk oolong
When choosing milk oolong, you should focus not so much on the smell, but on the appearance of the product.
The word “oolong” itself means “black dragon” in Chinese. Semi-fermented tea received this name for its corresponding appearance - long elongated leaves of a dark shade. Da Hong Pao, Feng Huang Dan Cong, Xiao Hong Pao and other highly fermented oolongs look the part. But the “emerald” leaves of milk oolong are usually curled. In any case, the leaves of high-quality milk oolong should be approximately the same size, whole, and there should be no twigs, crumbs or broken leaves in the tea mass. During brewing, the tea leaves should completely unfold, increasing in size by 2.5-3 times.
But with the criteria of smell and taste, the situation is more complicated. Our experts recommend focusing your choice solely on individual sensations. Moreover, many of those who started with milk oolong gradually develop taste buds and “come” to more subtle tastes. And then they completely switch to classic oolongs.
However, pay attention to how pleasant the smell of the offered tea is to you, and whether there is any mustiness in the aroma. If the store offers you a taste of the drink you like, agree without a doubt.
“I would like to tell you certain brands and varieties. But we have to admit – there is no correct milk oolong! There are a lot of options for flavors with a milk profile and you just need to find the one that is more pleasant to you personally. Your body recognizes a fake right away,” admits Ilya Goncharov.
The expert also advises, when purchasing, to check the harvest date of milk oolong tea. The fresher the tea, the better.
Price of milk oolong
The cost of packaged milk oolong starts from 100 rubles for 20 bags or pyramids. The cost of oolong by weight starts from 100 rubles per 50 grams. Milk oolong of the highest category costs about 400 rubles per 100 grams.
Reviews of milk oolong
Milk oolong is loved by everyone or almost everyone. It is possible that for real tea professionals it seems “pop,” but we looked through the pages with reviews on our website and in our blog on Yandex.Zen and found that 90% of people drink this tea with pleasure, and many like it bright milky aroma. Read these reviews too.
According to our experts, milk oolong, despite its controversial reputation, often becomes the “first step” for many people on the path to exploring interesting varieties of tea. Over time, milk oolong lovers are switching to more subtle and elite tastes.
History: from accident to fame
Attempts to discover new varieties with exceptional properties in China have always been and will be forever. Once, experimentally, Taiwanese breeders received a product, after tasting which it became clear that there would be a demand for it. The highlight was the subtle aroma of milk caramel.
It was given the official number No. TTES-12, and for sale - the poetic name Jin Xuan. When buyers from Europe and England tried the tea, the breeders' expectations were justified. Milk oolong immediately sold out, especially in the UK, where milk tea is so popular.
Either it is the high cost of the real “Fire Flower”, or the insufficiently bright aroma of the cream in it and attempts to enhance it, artificial ingredients began to be used in production. Initially, a chemical based on an alcohol solution made in Germany or Japan was used. Now milk oolong is made using other, more advanced additives.
In China, by the way, they hardly drink it; they produce it mainly for export. The Chinese do not like flavored varieties, preferring pure tea.