Two topics one thread.

[SlientSipper]

Please answer one or more of these topics.

Japanese people favor Oolong tea, Yet, when I drink it... Its horrible.
I've tried different variations of Japanese Oolong tea and I really really dislike it. I pefer Chinese Oolong tea ALOT. I like all kinds of them.
So bascially what are your thoughts on Oolong made the Japanese way?


Or

What is the worst Oolong tea you have ever had? What made it terrible?

[MarshalN]

Any example of Japanese oolong? I don't know of any.

[tortoise]

I can't say I've heard of Japanese "preferring" oolong tea. I'm not Japanese, but when I was there, it was the Japanese green fare everywhere. It may be that a certain population of tea-drinkers in Japan prefer oolong tea, but I doubt they prefer Japanese Oolong to Chinese. If they do, perhaps they have not had Chinese oolong.

Chinese are the original creators and masters of Oolong tea in every way. Taiwan (also China) has carved out an important niche in the oolong market, but there is no oolong grown in Japan that comes close to the tradition and know-how of mainland China.

Others could refine what I've said, but I'm fairly confident that's the case.

[Chip]

Any example of Japanese oolong? I don't know of any.

http://www.zencha.net/products_shizu.php#oolong_tea

Interestingly made with Benifuki leaves. I have not tried it yet.

[gingkoseto]

Although I don't exactly understand op's question, I also heard Japanese love oolong - or many Japanese were the earliest enthusiastic big buyers of oolong. Quite a few Chinese vendors use Japanese TV shows to demonstrate how oolong is loved by Japanese (not necessarily for its health or slimming benefits) and how some Japanese movie stars praise oolong for its slimming effects

Some people believe it was the Japanese import of oolong boosted Taiwan oolong production and led it to greater international fame. The national promotion campaign of An Xi Tie Guan Yin was largely encouraged by the fact that Taiwan oolong had been well received in the international (mainly Japanese) market. The greener style of TGY also somewhat meant to copy the success of greener style Taiwan oolong. Overall I think it can be an interesting topic of business research how Japan influenced international high end oolong market

[tortoise]

That is interesting Ginkoseto.

[TokyoB]

Japanese do drink lots of bottled (RTD - ready to drink) oolong. If you go to a party there are always 2 liter bottles of "oolong" tea there just as there would be 2 liter bottles of Coke here. Mixed drinks with bottled oolong are also pretty popular.

[Tekoppen]

I have so far tried 4 Japanese oolongs. Two darker and two greener. Liked all of them very much, so I will definitly go on trying Japanese Oolong!