Quick Answer
Qing tea (青茶) is one of the six Chinese tea categories, better known as oolong tea. It is partly oxidized, and oxidation levels vary widely, so aromas range from floral to roasted. Green tea is unoxidized: leaves are heated right after picking, then rolled and dried, giving a fresh, grassy cup. Taiwanese Four Seasons, Jin Xuan, Pouchong, Dong Ding and Tieguanyin are all qing teas. On bubble tea menus, “qing tea” usually means a lightly oxidized, floral oolong such as Four Seasons.
The six tea categories: where qing tea fits
| Category | Oxidation | Examples | Common bubble tea use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tea | None | Sencha, Longjing, jasmine green tea base | Lemon green tea, Yakult green tea, fruit tea |
| Qing tea (oolong) | Partial | Four Seasons, Jin Xuan, Pouchong, Tieguanyin | Qing tea, oolong green tea, oolong milk tea |
| Black tea | Full | Assam, Ceylon, Ruby Red | Milk tea, black tea latte |
| White, yellow, dark tea | Light or post-fermented | Silver Needle, Pu-erh | Rare in bubble tea |
Tea categories are defined by processing, not oxidation alone; the same tea plant can be made into green, oolong or black tea.
Qing tea vs green tea
| Qing tea (oolong) | Green tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Withering and tossing for partial oxidation, then fixing and rolling | Fixed by heat right away, no oxidation |
| Liquor | Golden to amber | Yellow-green |
| Aroma | Floral, milky to roasted | Grassy, fresh |
| Bitterness | Rounder | Can turn astringent with hot, long steeping |
What “qing tea” means on bubble tea menus
- Four Seasons (Si Ji Chun): harvested several times a year with a clear floral note, the most common qing tea base. See what is Four Seasons tea.
- Jin Xuan: TTES No. 12 with a soft milky note, great for Jin Xuan milk tea and lattes. See what is Jin Xuan tea.
- Light-roast oolong: bright, clear liquor.
- Dark-roast oolong and Tieguanyin: roasty, often used for oolong milk tea. See charcoal-roasted oolong.
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies Taiwanese Four Seasons, Jin Xuan oolong, Tieguanyin and other bubble tea tea leaves, and can suggest a tea base for your menu with samples.
Products in this article
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FAQ
Is qing tea green tea?
No. Qing tea is partly oxidized oolong; green tea is unoxidized. Some light oolongs have pale liquor, which causes the confusion.
Does qing tea have caffeine?
Yes. The amount depends on the leaf, water temperature and steeping time; it is not caffeine-free.
What is qing tea called in English?
Usually oolong tea; bubble tea menus also say green oolong or use the tea name, such as Four Seasons Oolong.
How is Four Seasons different from qing tea?
Four Seasons is one oolong cultivar; qing tea is the name of the whole category.
Related Reading
What Is Four Seasons Spring Tea (Si Ji Chun)? Green Tea or Oolong? Origin and Bubble Tea Uses
What Is Jin Xuan Tea? The Milky Oolong TTES No. 12, Jin Xuan vs Four Seasons, and Jin Xuan Milk Tea
What Tea Is Best for Milk Tea? Black Tea, Oolong and Green Tea Compared, and How Bubble Tea Shops Choose TeaAlso see: Tea leaves (products)
