The Origin and History of Oolong Tea

1.  Early Roots in Ancient China

The precursor to oolong tea can be traced back to Northern Fujian’s Beiyuan Tea during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE).  Located near modern-day Wuyishan, Beiyuan was a royal tea garden producing compressed "dragon and phoenix cakes" (longfeng bingcha) as tributes to emperors.  These teas, accidentally partially oxidized during transportation, exhibited characteristics akin to semi-fermentation—laying the groundwork for oolong’s unique processing.

2.  Formal Emergence in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644): Tea artisans in Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, refined semi-oxidation techniques, creating teas with "rock essence" (yan yun)—a mineral flavor from the region’s volcanic soil.

Qing Dynasty (1723–1736): Oolong tea’s modern form solidified.  According to Anxi County Annals, farmers in Anxi developed specialized methods for Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy), a flagship oolong variety.  Legends attribute its discovery to tea farmer Wei Yin, who named it after a divine revelation.

3.  Geographical Expansion

Fujian: Remained the heartland, splitting into two styles:

Wuyi Rock Tea (e.g., Da Hong Pao) from northern Fujian.

Anxi Tieguanyin from southern Fujian.

Taiwan: Introduced in the 19th century, Taiwan adapted techniques to create Dong Ding Oolong and High Mountain Tea, leveraging alpine climates for floral profiles.

Guangdong: Developed Phoenix Dancong, known for its orchid and honey notes.

4.  Globalization and Modern Innovations

19th–20th Century: Oolong gained international traction through maritime trade.  Taiwan began exporting to Southeast Asia and Europe in 1866.

21st Century: Automation improved production consistency, while brands marketed oolong as a health-conscious choice (e.g., weight management and antioxidant benefits).  Its cultural symbolism—embodied in gongfu cha (artisanal tea ceremonies)—further elevated its global prestige.

5.  Cultural Legends and Legacy

Two enduring myths enrich oolong’s history:

The Black Dragon Myth: A tea farmer discovered tea bushes after encountering a black dragon (wu long), inspiring the name.

The Iron Goddess Legend: A devout farmer, Wei Yin, dreamt of Guanyin (Buddhist deity) guiding him to a unique tea plant, later named Tieguanyin.