Journal | Firepot

Masters & Pioneers: Mingjian GABA Oolong

Written by Sarah Scarborough | Feb 12, 2021 4:49:00 PM

Mother Nature always has our backs if we know where to look. Nowhere is this more evident than in a cup of GABA Oolong. It might seem counter-intuitive to reach for a cup of caffeinated tea when you are hoping to sleep or relax, but hear us out. There is so much more to GABA Oolong just beneath the surface!

What is Oolong?

Simply put, oolong teas are semi-oxidized, meaning that the tea leaf is not thoroughly oxidized like a black tea or unoxidized like a green one. Beyond that, oolongs are known for being artisanally produced, nuanced, complex, aromatic and very good for you! Similar to the way that famous wines originate from specific regions of France or Italy, for example, and are made from specific varietals, famous oolong teas come from exact regions of China or Taiwan and are made with exact varietals.

GABA oolong is not a traditionally famous Oolong. Rather, it is a modern invention invented by the Japanese in 1984. Realizing that the naturally occurring GABA in the tea leaf was highly desirable, they discovered a way to enhance it by flushing the leaf with nitrogen in an anaerobic process. The result was an incredibly delicious and mentally soothing tea.

What is GABA?

GABA is a neurotransmitter that is naturally occurring in tea and is said to help relieve anxiety, promote sleep and even aid in digestion and weight loss. As previously mentioned, GABA is short for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid. GABA naturally occurs in the human brain and is also naturally present within the tea plant. There is evidence to suggest that GABA can substantiate a sense of calm when ingested through tea. It is also believed to aid in sleep disorders, depression and anxiety, and to reduce overall stress levels. Our GABA Oolong tea is produced in Mingjian, Taiwan and has undergone a distinct oxidation process that supports the production of GABA within each tea leaf. Pretty spectacular, you say? We could not agree more!

Our organic GABA Oolong tea has been naturally processed from a floral, buttery, crowd-pleasing tea cultivar called Four Seasons. It is grown and processed by a tea master who is pioneering the practice of organic tea cultivation throughout Taiwan, bringing even more strength to the plants and health to the land. We could not be more pleased to offer this exquisite tea to you now!

Benefits of Mingjian GABA Oolong

There are many attributes of this tea already explored above, such as its stress-relieving and slumber-enhancing properties. The following are some additional ways it can help you:

  •  Supports Brain Health: The nutrients that are naturally occurring in Oolong tea have been proven to positively impact cognitive brain function. 
  • Reduces Risk of Heart Disease: Oolong tea has also been shown to lower the risk of death due to heart-related ailments, especially in those who suffer from coronary heart disease.  
  • Lowers Inflammation: the antioxidants found in Oolong tea are believed to reduce inflammation levels within the body. 
  • Aids in Weight Loss: This subsidiary benefit we mentioned briefly above, but it deserves a deeper glance. Oolong has been proven to promote weight loss by increasing your metabolism, which subsequently improves the way your body burns fat. 
  • Fight Cancer: We have all lost someone to the horrible disease of cancer and understandably want to reduce our risk of developing it ourselves. Due to the antioxidants within its makeup, Oolong tea has been shown to reduce your risk for the development of specific cancers, such as ovarian cancer.  
  • Improves Your Skin: Finally, Oolong tea has been shown to improve the overall look of your skin, more specifically, aid in the prevention of eczema. 

 

Our organic GABA Oolong tea has been naturally processed from a floral, buttery, crowd-pleasing tea cultivar called Four Seasons. It is grown and processed by a tea master who is pioneering the practice of organic tea cultivation throughout Taiwan, bringing even more strength to the plants and health to the land. We could not be more pleased to offer this exquisite tea to you now!

Our Mingjian Oolong Tea is a panacea of health, a way to soothe your worries and a boon for your body! What is more to love? Now more than ever stress levels are reaching record-breaking highs, making NOW the ideal time to begin steeping tea. If we could recommend only one, this would be it. Beautiful to watch unfurl, delicious in the cup, soothing to the mind and protective for the body, our GABA Oolong offers you a cup of calm.

Steeping Instructions for Mingjian Gaba oolong tea:

  • Steep 5g of GABA Oolong in 8oz of 195-degree water.
  • Steep for two minutes then strain.
  • Make three infusions.
  • For Gong fu cha brewing, reduce the amount of water by half and steep for only one minute for each infusion.