Pouchong, also known as Pouchong oolong tea, is a delicious tea made from Camellia sinensis var Sinensis tea leaves. It’s slightly different from other oolong teas and definitely one you want to try if you’re a fan of oolong teas.
Before you begin searching the internet and shelves at your local stores for Pouchong tea, here’s everything you need to know about it, like what it tastes like, how to make it, and where it comes from.
Where is Pouchong Tea From?
Pouchong tea is an oolong tea that’s much less oxidized than other oolong teas. It’s oxidized only by about 10%, which is significantly less. This means that Pouchong tea is more similar to green tea than black, but there’s still a huge difference.
The tea is originally from the Fujian region in Mainland China, but many areas of Taiwan are producing Pouchong tea. The tea was brought to Taiwan over 150 years ago, which is how many Taiwanese farmers began growing and making Pouchong tea. The tea was also brought to Japan, and while it is produced there, it’s less common than in China or Taiwan.
What Does Pouchong Tea Taste Like?
Those who’ve tried Pouchong tea will say that the flavor is nothing like other oolong teas. The taste is pretty intense and creamy. It also has notes of floral and melon with absolutely no bitterness at all. You’ll only experience bitterness with this oolong tea if you steep the leaves for too long.
Since it’s barely an oolong tea, the flavor is milder and has a natural sweetness that other teas don’t. It’s almost the perfect combination of green and oolong tea.
How To Make Pouchong Tea Taste Better
For those who love oolong teas, you will likely not want to add anything to the tea. The natural flavors are ideal, but if you’re experimenting or just starting to enjoy drinking oolong teas, here are a few things you can add without taking away from the natural flavor of Pouchong tea.
Lemon
Lemon is an excellent addition to Pouchong tea if you’re set on adding something to it. It’s subtle enough and will add a slight twinge of acidity that won’t overpower the tea’s natural flavors. When adding lemon to your Pouchong tea, you can use the juice, slices, or zest, but if you choose the juice, start with a tiny amount first before adding more.
Honey
Honey tastes delicious in most tea, and while Pouchong tea doesn’t necessarily need anything added to it, you can’t go wrong with adding honey. It’s subtly sweet and will melt easily into a steaming hot cup of Pouchong tea.
Milk
Most people avoid putting milk in their Pouchong tea because, technically, it’s considered an oolong tea, and milk generally isn’t the greatest in those teas. But, since it somewhat resembles green tea, adding your favorite kind of milk can make it creamier and more enjoyable for you.
If you’re going to add any type of milk to your Pouchong tea, you’ll want to only add a little bit. You won’t want to make it a latte with half tea and half milk like many coffee shops do with other teas. This will drown out all the delicious natural flavors that Pouchong tea is known for.
How To Brew Pouchong Tea
Similar to other oolong teas, Pouchong tea isn’t challenging to make. All you’ll need is a tea kettle or pot, Pouchong tea, and water. You can select any additives you want as well, but most people don’t use them in this type of tea. Here’s how you can make a delicious cup of Pouchong tea:
- Boil eight ounces of water (or more, depending on how many cups you want)
- Let the water cool to about 194 degrees Fahrenheit
- Use three to five grams of tea leaves per cup and steep in the water for two minutes
- Remove the tea leaves
- Pour your tea into cups and enjoy
Once you pour your tea into your cups, you can add in your honey, lemon, or other additives so they can fully dissolve into your cup of tea.
Caffeine Content of Pouchong Tea
Since Pouchong tea is considered an oolong tea, you’ll naturally find caffeine in the tea. How much caffeine you’ll find in a serving will vary depending on the brand you purchase, where it’s grown, how it’s cultivated, etc. For the most part, you’ll find around 10-30 mg of caffeine per eight ounces of Pouchong tea.
This amount is a little higher than other teas, but it’s the perfect way to kick start your morning or when you need a little pick me up in the afternoon but don’t want to be up all night. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, always check the packaging for exact amounts and use caution the first time you drink a new brand of Pouchong tea.
Carbohydrate Content of Pouchong Tea
The number of carbs in Pouchong tea will vary depending on the brand you purchase. Most brands have less than a gram of carbs, but if you’re watching how many carbs you consume, you’ll want to double-check the nutrition information on the packaging.
Calories in Pouchong Tea
There are zero calories in Pouchong tea unless you add in sweeteners and other ingredients. The lack of calories makes this a perfect tea to drink when you’re on a weight loss journey! You can drink as much as you want without compromising “empty” calories like you would with other teas.
Final Thoughts
Pouchong tea is what some people call the perfect combination of green and oolong tea. This delicious tea is best consumed without adding anything to it so you can appreciate all the natural flavors, but you can adjust the additives to make it everything you want it to be.
Once you get your hands on this type of tea, the beverage is easy to make, and we’re positive it will end up being one of your one of your new favorite teas.
