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Oolong Tea in Dubai
Ingredients: light oolong, lingonberry, black currant, candied pineapple, peach blossoms, lingonberry leaves, mint, flavoring
Ingredients: Mao Se oolong tea, anchan, candied pineapple, blueberries and black currants, lemon, orange, lemongrass, flavoring.
Oolong sits in the middle of the tea world, partly oxidized, endlessly layered, and capable of tasting completely different from one steep to the next. Cantata stocks a curated range of oolong tea in Dubai, from creamy Taiwanese rolled leaves to roasted Wuyi rock tea and fruit-forward flavored blends. Every tea is available in 50g, 100g and 250g packs, with delivery across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.
What Is Oolong Tea?
Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the same plant behind green tea and black tea. The difference is processing. Oolong leaves are withered in sun, bruised by tossing or shaking to break the cell walls at the leaf edges, then oxidized under close control before firing and rolling.
That oxidation window is wide, roughly 8% to 85%, which is why no two oolongs taste alike. A lightly oxidized Anxi oolong can read as floral and buttery, close to a green tea. A heavily roasted Wuyi oolong leans woody, mineral and almost chocolatey, closer to a black tea or a young pu-erh.
Leaves also come in two shapes. Ball-rolled (or "pearl") oolongs open slowly across many infusions and are typical of Fujian and Taiwan. Strip-style (or "ribbon") oolongs release flavor faster and are the classic form for Wuyi rock teas.
The Three Oolong Styles, and What Each One Tastes Like
Creamy, floral and green, with notes of milk, orchid, lily of the valley and fresh leaf. This is the entry point for most people. Start with Milk Oolong, Mao Xie Oolong or Formose Jade Oolong.
Fruity and nutty, with stone fruit, almond and honey, plus a gentle astringency that gives the cup structure. A good bridge if light oolongs feel too delicate and dark ones feel too heavy.
Roasted, woody and mineral, often with caramel, dried fruit and cocoa. Try Da Hong Pao Changsha, Dongfang Meiren or GABA Vietnam.
Our Oolong Tea Collection
Classic single-origin oolongs
Da Hong Pao Changsha Dark Oolong
The legendary "Big Red Robe" from the
Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, one of China's
most celebrated rock teas.
Roasted, mineral and long-finishing,
with cocoa and toasted wood.
A benchmark tea for anyone exploring our
Chinese tea range.
GABA Vietnam Dark Oolong
Processed in a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-free
environment, which raises the leaf's
natural gamma-aminobutyric
acid content. The cup is dark,
stewed-fruit sweet and unusually smooth,
with a mellow character that suits late
afternoons.
Dongfang Meiren Dark Oolong
Known as Oriental Beauty, this Taiwanese
classic is bitten by leafhoppers before
harvest, a process that triggers
the honeyed, muscatel character the tea
is famous for. Heavily oxidized, naturally
sweet, no flavoring required.
Flavored and blended oolongs
Milk Oolong Flavored Tea
Our most requested oolong. Light rolled
leaf carrying a rich, creamy,
condensed-milk aroma. No dairy involved,
and no milk needed in the cup.
Indigo Flower
Mao Xie oolong with butterfly pea flower,
blueberry, blackcurrant, citrus and
lemongrass. The anchan turns the liquor
a deep blue that shifts toward violet with
a squeeze of lemon.
Oolong Fire Flower
Chinese oolong with a bold floral and
spiced character for drinkers who
want a tea that announces
itself.
Browse the wider flavored tea and flavored green tea collections if blended profiles are what you are after.
How to Brew Oolong Tea
Oolong rewards multiple short infusions rather than one long soak. Use filtered water, warm the vessel first, and expect the leaf to change character with every steep.
Gongfu method (recommended)
| Parameter | Setting |
|---|---|
| Leaf | 5g to 7g per 150ml to 200ml |
| Water temperature | 85°C to 95°C |
| First infusion | 30 to 45 seconds |
| Later infusions | Add 10 to 15 seconds each time |
| Total infusions | 5 to 7, sometimes more |
Western Method
| Parameter | Setting |
|---|---|
| Leaf | 3g per 250ml |
| Water temperature | 85°C to 90°C |
| Steep time | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Re-steeps | 2 to 3 |
Light and flavored oolongs prefer the cooler end, around 85°C, so the florals do not scorch. Roasted dark oolongs such as Da Hong Pao handle 95°C comfortably and often need it to open up.
A porcelain gaiwan or a small clay pot gives the most control. You will find both in our teapots and carafes and tea accessories sections, along with mugs and tumblers for the office and thermoses for travel.
What Oolong Pairs With
Light oolongs work beside sushi, steamed dumplings, soft cheese and citrus desserts. Medium oolongs handle roast chicken, nuts and stone fruit. Dark roasted oolongs stand up to grilled meat, dark chocolate, dates and mixed grills, which makes them a natural fit for a Dubai dinner table.
Storing Oolong Tea in the UAE
Heat and humidity are the enemies here, and both are in generous supply. Keep leaves in an airtight, opaque container away from sunlight, spices and coffee, since tea absorbs surrounding aromas quickly. Avoid the fridge, where condensation forms every time the container is opened. Stored properly, light oolongs are best within 12 to 18 months, while roasted dark oolongs hold and often improve over several years. Our storage boxes are built for exactly this.
Why Buy Oolong Tea from Cantata
- Fresh, traceable batches sourced from China, Taiwan and Vietnam
- Both true single-origin oolongs and house flavored blends in one catalog
- Flexible pack sizes: 50g, 100g and 250g
- Recipes you will not find on a supermarket shelf in the UAE
- Delivery across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. See our delivery policy for timelines
- Part of a full tea range in Dubai that also covers classic tea, matcha and tea bags.
Card, Apple Pay and Google Pay are all accepted at checkout, and gift packing can be added to any order on request. If you would rather smell the roast before you buy buckwheat tea, our boutique in Al Barsha 1 is open daily from 08:30 to 21:30, and the team there will open a tin for you. You can also message us on WhatsApp to ask which of the four suits you or to arrange a delivery window that fits your day.