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On a hot day, there's nothing better than relaxing in the shade with a refreshing homemade iced tea. Making iced tea is quick and easy, but what are the best teas to prepare and drink cold?

Do you fancy changing the way you prepare your usual Oolong tea, giving it a dense and rich flavor but maintaining the same properties that make it so healthy?

The healing benefits of teas and infusions have been used around the world for centuries, and modern science is catching up. Research shows that infusions can treat certain conditions, such as high blood triglycerides.

What is blue tea or oolong tea? | Properties of oolong tea | Contraindications of oolong tea | Where to buy oolong tea When it comes time to decide which tea to drink today, it can be difficult to choose from the endless variety of options. Today, I'll tell you everything you need to know about blue tea or oolong tea , one of the favorite tea categories for lovers and connoisseurs of this fascinating world. Clarifying note: Although in Spain it has been given the name blue tea to differentiate it from other categories, in China and practically the rest of the world it is known simply as oolong tea or wu-long tea. What is blue tea or oolong tea? Blue tea, or oolong tea , is one of the five major categories of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, along with white tea , green tea , black tea , and pu-erh tea . The term oolong literally translates as "black dragon tea." Oolong tea is halfway between green tea, which is not oxidized, and black tea, which is fully oxidized. For this reason, oolong tea is sometimes called partially oxidized . This tea is an indispensable part of the Chinese Gongfu tea ceremony, which has been practiced for hundreds of years in the Fujian region. The Gongfu ceremony is similar to the Japanese tea ceremony. Origin of oolong tea There is a legend about the origin of oolong tea in China. During the Qing Dynasty, a farmer in Fujian was picking tea leaves one morning when he saw a deer. He then chased the deer away, unable to return to finish picking the tea leaves until the next day. Upon returning, he noticed that the leaves had partially oxidized and were giving off a surprising aroma. The farmer was surprised to find that the tea had a completely different sweet taste and lacked the typical bitterness. Since the farmer was nicknamed Oolong, the tea was given this name. Production and cultivation Blue tea, or oolong tea, is produced primarily in China and Taiwan. The tea leaves are harvested over multiple seasons, usually beginning in early spring. Once harvested, the leaves undergo a semi-oxidation process. Oolong teas are oxidized between 8 and 80 percent, depending on the type of tea. Once the desired oxidation point is reached, tea masters apply heat to the leaves to interrupt the oxidation. Finally, the leaves are shaped, usually into balls or pearls. RELATED INFORMATION How is tea produced? Flavor and aroma of oolong tea The flavor of blue tea, or oolong tea, varies greatly depending on the degree of oxidation . Lightly oxidized oolongs have a light body with a sweet, floral flavor. Heavily oxidized oolongs, however, have a more robust flavor with toasted and earthy notes. Theine content Blue tea, or oolong tea, contains an average of 35-40 mg of caffeine, which is quite low compared to a cup of coffee, which contains about 200 mg. Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that slows the absorption of caffeine. This means that tea provides a longer-lasting energy boost without the crash. RELATED INFORMATION All About L-Theanine: How It Works and Its Benefits 5 Properties of blue tea or oolong tea Blue tea or oolong tea has a multitude of properties according to traditional Chinese medicine, these are some of them: Sharpen your wits. Prevents cavities. Prevents osteoporosis. Prevents cardiovascular diseases. Reduces arthritis. Prevents diabetes. Minimizes atherosclerosis. Reduces high cholesterol and blood pressure. Improves skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Stimulates the immune system. In recent years, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated some of these properties: 1. Increases concentration The caffeine and L-theanine content in oolong tea helps maintain concentration. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that oolong tea not only increases alertness and concentration but can also boost energy metabolism. 2. Helps you lose weight Oolong tea contains 0 calories, although it has a slightly sweet taste, making it ideal for replacing sugary soft drinks or energy drinks, which will greatly contribute to weight loss. Various studies have found that oolong tea also helps increase fat oxidation and stimulates metabolism . One study in particular showed that people who drank oolong tea burned fat 12% faster than those who drank only water. RELATED INFORMATION The Best Teas for Weight Loss 3. Protects the heart Studies show that regular tea drinkers have a lower risk of heart disease , the exact reason is unknown, but it is believed to be due to the antioxidant content present in tea. These studies show that regular tea consumption reduces markers of heart disease, such as bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. Oolong tea also helps lower blood pressure thanks to its anti-inflammatory components. 4. Improves dental health The high fluoride content of tea leaves may be beneficial for dental health. Research published by Oxford University showed that tea polyphenols help prevent tooth decay, remove plaque, and fight oral infections. 5. It is rich in antioxidants Blue tea, or oolong tea, contains high levels of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, preventing oxidative damage caused by free radicals. One of these most studied antioxidant compounds is EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, which has been found to have great potential for combating chronic diseases and even aging. RELATED INFORMATION Antioxidant Components of Tea: Polyphenols and Catechins Contraindications Blue tea, or oolong tea, has been consumed for centuries and is considered safe. The only known contraindications are those derived from caffeine consumption. Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to anxiety, headaches, insomnia, or rapid heart rate. The European Food Safety Authority considers up to 400 mg of caffeine per day safe. Since a cup of oolong tea contains approximately 40 mg of caffeine, you could drink up to 10 cups of tea without consuming too much caffeine. The EFSA reduces this daily caffeine intake for pregnant women to 200 mg. Where to buy oolong tea? You can find oolong tea of ​​various qualities in specialty tea shops. At Replantea, we offer 100% organically grown oolong tea, specifically Jade Oolong tea, which is perfect for beginners in this tea category, thanks to its smooth, delicate flavor and clean, floral aroma . Sources - Yi, D., Tan, X., Zhao, Z., Cai, Y., Li, Y., Lin, X. Zhang, Q. (2014). Reduced risk of dyslipidaemia with oolong tea consumption : A population-based study in southern China. British Journal of Nutrition, 111 (8), 1421-1429. - Kwan-Wai Ng, Zi-Jun Cao, Hu-Biao Chen, Zhong-Zhen Zhao, Lin Zhu & Tao Yi (2018) Oolong tea: A critical review of processing methods, chemical composition, health effects, and risk , Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 58:17, 2957-2980. - Arpita Basu, PhD, Edralin A. Lucas, PhD, Mechanisms and Effects of Green Tea on Cardiovascular Health , Nutrition Reviews , Volume 65, Issue 8, August 2007, Pages 361–375. - Siro I. Trevisanato, Ph D, Young In Kim, MD, FRCP(C), Tea and Health , Nutrition Reviews , Volume 58, Issue 1, January 2000, Pages 1–10.

Drinking a cup of tea a day is a great way to stay healthy and happy. Tea is a complex beverage with different flavors, varieties, and preparation methods that depend on the growing regions, traditions, and production methods. This leads to thousands of types of tea, a nearly endless world if we include herbal infusions.

Instead of drinking sugary sodas and taking diet pills, simply incorporate one of these teas into your daily routine. These slimming teas will help you lose weight faster, while you enjoy the process.