Where in south cA can you buy Wu-yi-tea?

Answer 1

Wuyi is a mountain in China that is famous for producing a particular type of oolong tea. The tea plants grow in rocky cliffsides, which imparts a high mineral content to the tea bushes, and so these oolongs are called yancha ("rock tea"). These oolongs are made with full leaves twisted into a long wiry form and usually heavily baked/roasted. There are many types of yancha produced in Wuyi, but when a tea is labeled simply "Wuyi Oolong" it usually referrs to Shui Xian (translated "Narcissus" or "Water Sprite"). The most famous Wuyi oolong is Da Hong Pao (translated "Big Red Robe").

Any tea shop that carries quality loose leaf Chinese tea is likely to carry Wuyi oolong. If you are in Los Angeles area you can get some at Wing Hop Fung, Tea Habitat, Red Blossom Tea Company, Lupicia, Chado Tea Room, and maybe Ten Ren.

Quality Wuyi yancha is highly sought-after by connoisseurs because of the depth and complexity they can offer. If you purchase from a quality vendor then it can be worth asking the staff to show you how to brew it traditionally using a small pot with lots of leaf.

Lately Wuyi oolong has been promoted for weight loss. The truth is that most white, green, and oolong tea contains all the same chemicals and have all the same health benefits. Differences in processing and growing environment may change the balance of chemicals slightly between different teas, but they are all equally healthy and none are likely to offer benefits differently from other such teas. Practitioners of Chinese medicine often suggest pu-erh tea for weight loss, but not everyone likes pu-erh.