Oolong

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈuː.lʊŋ/

Definitions

1. A type of partially fermented tea that originates from China and is characterized by its floral flavor and fragrant aroma
2. This tea variety is known for its unique processing method that combines features of both black and green teas
3. Often served hot or cold, this beverage exhibits a range of flavor profiles depending on the oxidation level during its production

Etymology: The name of this tea means "black dragon," though the tea itself is only partly fermented, sitting between green and black tea. The Chinese characters 烏龍 (wūlóng) are read in Hokkien as o͘-liông, where the first character means "black" and the second "dragon." Because the Mandarin reading is a close match, English speakers often assume the name comes straight from Mandarin, but the Hokkien dialect of Fujian province is the more likely direct source, with the Mandarin form possibly arising through hypercorrection, where a speaker over-corrects toward what seems the standard pronunciation. The name entered English in the 1850s, a period when Western trade with southern China was expanding and Fujian teas were becoming widely known abroad. The tea family it belongs to also includes pouchong, whose name comes from Hokkien 包種茶 (pau-chióng-tê), literally "tea of the wrapped kind," reflecting how the leaves were packed for sale.