Ariana Losch
Oolong tea doesn’t get the love it deserves. It’s commonly referred to as the “middle child” of teas, since it’s made through partially oxidation and always overlooked in favor of more popular green teas (oldest, wisest, and minimally oxidized) and black teas (youngest, boldest, and fully oxidized).
But here’s the thing about oolong: It’s enigmatic, with such a wide variety of flavor profiles that can suit almost any taste. As a category, it’s tricky to pin down—and since it’s newer to the West, a lot of people simply don’t know where to start. I have a feeling it will take off, though. We’ve seen the matcha-ssance hit cities and grocery stores over the past decade, and I’m calling it now: Oolong is the next matcha-style craze. By reading this ranking, you’re already ahead of the trend! Go you.
How we sourced the oolong tea brands
Look, this isn’t necessarily a list of the best oolong tea brands man has to offer… it’s more like what man has available within reason. We want our rankings to be helpful to the average shopper, so that means prioritizing accessibility. In this first attempt at finding the best oolong teas out there, I focused on tea bags over loose leaf (sorry, oolong fanatics), and brands you can find at regular grocery stores or on Amazon.
What we looked for in the best oolong tea bags
- Real oolong character: The tea should showcase the range of flavors oolong is known for—floral, toasty, fruity, or mineral. We want brews to have dimension and distinct notes that separate them from the pack.
- Balanced and drinkable: Bold brews are great, but the tea should still be easy to sip and enjoy.
- Loose leaf dupes: Believe it or not, I even found some oolong tea bags that rival loose leaf varieties in terms of boldness and complexity.
On behalf of middle children everywhere, here are the best oolong tea brands we currently recommend:
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- Allegro Tea Oolong Tea
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I’ve been on the hunt for smooth teas that can stand in for my daily coffee when I need a break from the bean, with my one criteria being: They need to taste great with milk or creamer. And that’s what you get with Allegro’s Oolong. It has a robust yet smooth flavor that’s a little roasty and nutty but not as gruff as some of the more potent recommendations here. For anyone just getting into oolong, I think this is a great start—and you can find it on Amazon.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Republic of Tea Dragon Oolong Tea
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Republic of Tea’s Dragon Oolong (specifically the Dragon Oolong, not their Milk Oolong, which I found tasted like stevia leaf) balances sweet and floral notes and goes down super smooth. It’s definitely the sweetest from my taste test, close to a subtle peach flavor. I would turn this into an iced tea in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for a sweeter variety, this is the best oolong tea to pick up.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- iMoZai Oolong Tea
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Well good morning to you, too, iMoZai! This oolong tea is zingy. It hits with a bright flavor that’s not especially floral or sweet, just crisp and lively, the perfect complement to a bit of honey. I could sip this all day and not get sick of it. I’ve seen some complaints online that the strength can be inconsistent from bag to bag; I personally didn’t have that problem, but with 100 tea bags for $8, there’s more than enough to make up for it.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
- Prince of Peace Oolong Tea
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Prince of Peace could fool you into thinking it’s loose leaf tea. It has that rougher Jasmine green tea, floral, mineral edge, and I mean that as a compliment, because it still finishes clean and smooth. Personally, I think the best oolong teas have real character while still being easy on the palate, and that’s what Prince of Peace accomplishes here. It’s nuanced, malty, and deep—a great addition to your tea cabinet and a shining example of the versatility of oolong.
Credit: Merc / Amazon
Best Neutral
Best Sweet
Best Value
Best of the Best
Other oolong teas we tried
The Republic of Tea Milk Oolong Tea, ITO EN Oolong Tea, Unsweetened, Golden, Tejava Organic Fujian-Style Oolong Tea, Drink Weird Organic White Peach Oolong Weird Tea, Twinings Pure Oolong Tea Golden Caffeinated Tea
Griffin Parker
Jessica Block
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!