What to Put in Oolong Tea: 10 Delicious Additions
If you love Oolong tea, then you already know how versatile it is. It’s complex enough to stand alone, yet playful enough to pair with other flavors. That’s what makes Oolong tea so much fun to experiment with.
In this guide, you’ll discover creative tea recipes and pairing ideas. From Peach Oolong tea to Spiced Oolong, this list has something for everyone.
What Is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same source of black tea, green tea, and white tea. Oolong, however, has a unique flavor profile due to the oxidation process.
During production, the tea leaves get partially fermented. This placed Oolong right in the middle of the tea processing spectrum.
Hand-rolling, bruising, and careful tea-making also give Oolong a variety of flavors. It can have bright, floral notes or deep, fruity notes depending on its origin.
Oolong Tea Origin
Much of the finest oolong comes from Fujian province, China, and the misty mountains of Taiwan.
Regions like Ali Shan, Wen Shan Bao Zhong, and Hsinchu County produce oolong tea with delicate floral notes and creamy textures.
Meanwhile, places like Wuyi Shan are renowned for bold rock oolongs, such as Da Hong Pao and Red Robe Wuyi Oolong Tea.
Brewing Oolong Tea
Brewing oolong tea is an art in itself. The right brewing temperature and steeping time matter. Too much boiling water will scorch the tea leaves, while too little heat won’t unlock their tea aroma.
A general rule is to use hot but not boiling water (around 185–205°F, depending on the type). Use a shorter tea brewing time for lighter oolongs and a longer one for darker ones.
Whether you use a clay pot, a tea infuser, or even tea bags, the brewing process brings out entirely different sides of the leaf.
Oolong Tea Health Benefits
Oolong is thought to support digestive issues, skin health, stress relief, and immune system resilience. It even has cardiovascular benefits!
With its moderate caffeine levels, oolong provides just enough of an energy boost without the jitters of coffee.
10 Delicious Additions for Oolong Tea
The best part about making oolong is getting creative with the tea recipes. Here’s what to put in oolong tea!
1. Fresh Milk
Ali Shan in Taiwan is famous for its jade oolong, a variety grown high in the mountains. When you mix this type of oolong with milk, you get the popular oolong milk tea!
The creamy milk, or milk alternatives like oat or almond, soften the edges of the lightly roasted oolong. Trust me. Milk makes oolong taste buttery and unbelievably smooth.
You can serve oolong milk tea hot or cold with sweet boba pearls.
2. Peach Slices
Do you want to make a refreshing drink this summer? White peach oolong tea has a delicate charm and is especially delicious when served over ice cubes.
It’s pretty easy to make. All you have to do is mix fresh white peach with cold oolong to enhance its fruity notes.
If you don’t have fresh peaches on hand, you may also add peach syrup or canned peaches to create a juicy, sweet drink.
3. Honey
Instead of refined sugar, try honey. Honey adds depth to roasted oolongs. It harmonizes with teas like Oriental Beauty Oolong, which already has a natural honeyed aroma.
Honey oolong tea is perfect for your throat when you’re feeling under the weather.
4. Flower Petals
For those who love tea infusion blends, adding petals enhances oolong’s floral notes. This is common in Fujian province, where tea preparation often includes flowers for an extra layer of fragrance.
To make floral oolong, you can directly add dried rose, jasmine, or chrysanthemum to the tea. Steep it in a clay pot at 185–195°F for a few minutes, and you’re done.
5. Ginger or Chai Spices
Fresh ginger or chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves turn oolong into a comforting drink. The spice lifts the tea aroma and transforms your cup into a cozy spiced oolong that supports digestion.
7. Fresh Herbs
Mixing herbs with tea isn’t always good, but herbs work surprisingly well with oolong. Fresh mint is great in iced oolong. Meanwhile, basil and rosemary create a surprising twist.
Add ice cubes and a few leaves, and you have a refreshing summer drink that rivals any café iced tea!
8. Toasted Rice
I love genmaicha, a combination of toasted rice and tea leaves. This tea has a nutty, popcorn-like note, but with more complexity.
You can actually make toasted rice over the stove or in the oven. Once toasted, you can mix the rice with loose oolong tea leaves. Brew it as usual, and serve it hot or cold!
9. Lychee
If you’ve never tried Lychee Oolong tea, you’re in for a treat. Lychee, with its sweet and floral notes, complements oolong beautifully. Where oolong brings depth, lychee adds brightness and a juicy tropical twist.
To make it, mix canned lychee with cold oolong. Serve it in a beautiful glass with some ice.
10. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like lemon, orange, or grapefruit add a refreshing brightness to the tea aroma.
For summer, try cold-brewing oolong with slices of fresh lime, and serve it over ice cubes. The citrus cuts through the richness of the tea, while also giving you a boost of vitamin C.
Final Thoughts
As you already know, the beauty of Oolong tea lies in its versatility.
Just like black tea or green tea, it all begins with the humble tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. However, Oolong tea can give you a completely different experience based on preparation.
With hot water, a little creativity, and a willingness to experiment, you can make each cup your own. That’s the magic of Oolong.
