ChnTeas - Rock tea brewing
type: channel
link: https://chnteas.org/tag/Rock-tea-brewing/
items: Does Oolong Tea Have to Be Brewed with Boiling Water? A Webmaster's Practical Guide

Does Oolong Tea Have to Be Brewed with Boiling Water? A Webmaster's Practical Guide
type: item
date: 2026-02-14T13:27:41+00:00
description: Hello tea friends, it's your webmaster here.I've been asked this question hundreds of times: "I've heard that Oolong tea must be brewed with 100°C boiling water. Is that true?"My answer is: Yes, but not always.Why? Because the Oolong tea family is huge—from Fujian's Tieguanyin to Guangdong's Dan Cong, from Wuyi Rock tea to Taiwan's High Mountain Oolong. Their fermentation levels, roasting degrees, and leaf tenderness vary widely. One temperature simply cannot fit all.Today, I'll break it down clearly so you never have to guess again.1. Bottom Line: Three Temperature Ranges for Three Types of OolongHere's a quick reference table:Oolong TypeRecommended TemperatureTypical TeasWhyHigh-temp95℃-100℃Wuyi Rock tea, Traditional roasted Tieguanyin, Dan CongTightly rolled, heavily roasted—needs high heat to unlock aroma and rock charmMedium-temp90℃-95℃Light Tieguanyin, Dong Ding Oolong, Wenshan BaozhongMedium fermentation, tender leaves—boiling water brings out bitternessLow-temp80℃-85℃High Mountain Oolong, lightly fermented OolongPursues freshness and floral notes—high heat steams away the delicate aromaSo next time someone says "Oolong must be brewed with boiling water," ask them: "Which Oolong are you drinking?"2. Why Some Oolongs Must Be Brewed with Boiling WaterLet's talk about the high-temp group—the ones that truly need boiling water.Typical examples: Wuyi Rock tea (Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, Shui Xian), Phoenix Dan Cong, traditional roasted Tieguanyin.These teas share common traits:Tightly Rolled, Mature LeavesRock tea and Dan Cong are made from mature leaves, one bud with 3-4 leaves. The leaves are tightly rolled or twisted. If the water isn't hot enough, it can't fully penetrate the leaves, resulting in weak, watery tea.Undergone RoastingRock tea and roasted Tieguanyin go through a roasting process—sometimes multiple rounds. Without boiling water, the roasty, caramelized aromas simply won't release. You'll end up with a raw taste.Pursuing That PunchThe famous rock charm o…