OOLONG TEA · BETWEEN GREEN AND BLACK

Oolong Tea

Oolong is where the leaf gets interesting.

Silky Milk Oolong, bright citrus and jasmine, orchid-like florals and refined Taiwanese depth. Every cup sits somewhere new between the freshness of green tea and the richness of black.

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  • Quality leaves made for repeat infusions
  • Hand-packed in Yorkshire
A misty mountain oolong tea setting with a gaiwan, honey-coloured tea and rolled, opened and twisted oolong leaves

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Not sure where to begin?

Start with creamy Milk Oolong for a mellow first cup, Orange Jasmine for a lively floral lift, or Formosa when you want the pure leaf and a warmer toasted finish.

Choose your next cup

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Compare the products below, or use the filters to find your favourites.

Semi-oxidised loose leaf

Loose leaf oolong tea from light floral to rich and roasted

Oolong sits between green and black tea, partially oxidised to create a spectrum of flavour that neither fully matches. At the lighter end you get buttery, floral notes; push the oxidation further and the cup deepens into honey, stone fruit and toasted grain. This range covers both ends and plenty in between, so there is something here whether you like your tea delicate or full-bodied.

Our oolongs include the creamy, almost caramel sweetness of Quanzhou Milk Oolong, the citrus-blossom lift of Orange Jasmine Oolong, and the honeyed complexity of Oriental Beauty Oolong. Formosa Oolong brings a classic Taiwanese roast character, while Blue Spring Oolong offers a lighter, more refreshing profile with orchid-like florals. For something a bit different, Oolong Mystère Flowering Tea unfurls in your glass.

If you have only tried tea-bag oolong, loose leaf is a step change. The whole leaves open slowly across multiple infusions, each steeping a little different from the last. It rewards patience and a decent teapot. Good for mornings when you want caffeine without the jolt of strong black tea, or afternoons when you fancy something more interesting than a standard brew.

How to choose

01

By oxidation level

Lighter oolongs like Blue Spring are closer to green tea, with orchid-like florals and soft sweetness. Darker styles like Formosa lean toward black tea with roasted, toasty depth. Check the leaf colour for a clue.

02

By occasion

Creamy Milk Oolong suits a quiet afternoon. Oolong Mystère Flowering Tea is made for glass teapots and unhurried moments. Oriental Beauty pairs well with lighter desserts.

03

By caffeine need

All true oolongs contain natural caffeine. If you need caffeine-free, this is not the collection for you.

Where to start

Start with these teas

Quanzhou Milk Oolong, loose leaf: creamy, floral and mellowQuanzhou Milk OolongA gentle starting point with its creamy, almost caramel-like sweetness and smooth finish.From £5.35 Formosa Oolong, loose leaf: toasty, sweet and roundedFormosa OolongFor anyone wanting a bolder, more roasted cup with classic Taiwanese depth.From £6.85

Good questions

Things people ask us in the shop

Further reading

What does oolong tea taste like?

It varies widely. Lighter oolongs taste floral and buttery, sometimes with orchid or cream notes. Darker oolongs move toward honey, ripe fruit, roasted grain and a fuller body. The range here covers both.

How do I brew loose leaf oolong?

Use water just off the boil, around 85–95°C. Steep for two to four minutes, then re-steep the same leaves. Many oolongs give three or more good infusions, each slightly different.

Can I buy oolong tea in the UK?

Yes. We ship across the UK from Yorkshire. Free UK delivery on orders over £35.

Is oolong different from green tea?

Yes. Oolong is partially oxidised, giving more body and complexity than most green teas but less grassiness. If you find green tea too vegetal, oolong might suit you.

Can I drink oolong with milk?

Lighter oolongs are best without. Darker, roasted oolongs can take a splash if you prefer, though most drinkers enjoy them plain to appreciate the nuance.

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FIND YOUR OOLONG

One leaf. A remarkable middle ground.

Oolong sits between green and black tea, but it is not a compromise. Expect silky texture, fragrant florals, gentle fruit and warm toasted depth.

FOLLOW THE AROMA

Four routes through the oolong shelf.

How far the leaves are oxidised and how they are finished changes everything from colour to aroma and body.

01

CREAMY · MELLOW

Silky without adding milk.

Milk Oolong has a rounded texture, soft floral lift and gentle caramel-like sweetness all of its own.

02

FLORAL · ORCHID

Fragrant, lifted and composed.

Blue Spring brings orchid-like Ti Kuan Yin character together with delicate blue mallow petals.

03

CITRUS · JASMINE

Bright, layered and refreshing.

Orange zest and jasmine add lively fragrance while the oolong base keeps the cup smooth and structured.

04

TAIWAN · TOASTY

Rounded, warm and quietly complex.

Formosa Oolong balances natural sweetness with a warm toasted depth and crisp, refined finish.

ONE PORTION. MORE THAN ONE CUP.

Brew, lift, return to the leaves.

Oolong leaves are made to open. Start with the product’s suggested temperature and time, then reinfuse the same leaves to discover how their aroma and sweetness change.

  1. 01
    Use 85–90°C water

    Check the individual tea: our lighter styles start at 85°C and Formosa at 90°C.

  2. 02
    Start at two minutes

    Give rolled leaves room to unfurl, then remove them cleanly from the cup.

  3. 03
    Infuse the leaves again

    Add a little time to the next infusion and notice the flavour developing.

EASY FIRST OOLONG

Start creamy or citrus-bright.

Milk Oolong is silky and mellow; Orange Jasmine Oolong is lively, fragrant and familiar for anyone who already enjoys floral tea.

PURE SINGLE-ORIGIN

Let Formosa speak for itself.

Premium Taiwanese leaves give a rounded, aromatic cup with natural sweetness, warm toasted depth and a clean finish.

A LITTLE THEATRE

Choose a tea that unfolds in the pot.

Oolong Mystère is hand-tied around blossoms and made for a glass teapot, gifting and deliberately unhurried afternoons.

Leaves worth returning toMany oolongs reward multiple infusions from one serving.
Hand-packed in YorkshirePrepared in small batches by our team.
Clear delivery optionsPacked with care in Yorkshire.

OOLONG, EXPLAINED

A complicated tea, made simple.

What is oolong tea?

Oolong is made from the same tea plant as green and black tea, but its oxidation sits somewhere between them. The maker’s choices can produce cups that are green and floral, creamy and silky, fruity, warm or deeply toasted.

What does oolong tea taste like?

There is no single oolong flavour. This shelf ranges from creamy Milk Oolong and orchid-like Blue Spring to citrus-floral Orange Jasmine and warmer, toastier Formosa.

Does Milk Oolong contain milk?

No. Our Quanzhou Milk Oolong is oolong tea—Ti Kuan Yin Super. Its creamy texture and gentle caramel-like sweetness come from the tea itself, and it is best enjoyed without adding milk.

Does oolong contain caffeine?

Yes. Every oolong on this shelf naturally contains caffeine and is tagged medium-caffeine. The amount in a cup varies with the leaf, quantity, temperature and brewing time.

Can I infuse oolong leaves more than once?

Yes. Repeat infusions are one of oolong’s pleasures. Remove the leaves after the first brew, then infuse them again with a little more time and notice how the aroma, sweetness and texture develop.

What water temperature should I use for oolong?

Use the guide on the individual tea. Quanzhou Milk Oolong and Blue Spring start at 85°C, while Orange Jasmine and Formosa use 90°C. Two minutes is the starting time across these loose-leaf teas.

Which oolong is best for beginners?

Quanzhou Milk Oolong is the gentlest starting point if you like soft, creamy flavours. Orange Jasmine Oolong is especially approachable for people who already enjoy citrus or floral teas.

Are Porter Hill oolong teas vegan?

Yes. All Porter Hill teas are vegan. Every product page lists its ingredients clearly, including flowers, fruit or natural flavourings used in a blend.

YOUR NEXT OOLONG

Start curious. Finish converted.

Oolong sits between green and black tea, opening into creamy, floral, citrus-bright and roasted cups with every infusion.

Choose your teaUse the tea finder →
  1. 01
    Made for discovery

    Milk Oolong welcomes beginners; Taiwanese leaves reward the curious.

  2. 02
    More than one cup

    Whole rolled leaves open gradually and reveal new flavour as you re-brew.

  3. 03
    Packed in Yorkshire

    Small-batch packing by our Huddersfield team.

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