The Tao of Tea Green Dragon Oolong

Absolutely — and you should. The whole, unbroken leaves are specifically suited for multiple infusions. Reviewers report getting 3 or more good steepings from a single serving, with the flavor evolving slightly each time. This is actually how oolong is traditionally enjoyed in Chinese tea culture. It also means the 3.5-ounce tin goes further than you might expect, since each serving gives you multiple cups rather than just one.

Green Dragon is on the lighter, greener end of the oolong spectrum. Unlike heavily roasted oolongs (like Da Hong Pao or dark Tieguanyin) that have deep, toasty, sometimes smoky flavors, Green Dragon is grassy and smooth with just a hint of toasted chestnut. Think of it as oolong with green tea sensibilities. It's less complex than high-end Taiwanese high-mountain oolongs, but it's also more accessible and forgiving — a solid everyday oolong rather than a special-occasion tea.

It's ideal for three groups: beginners transitioning from tea bags to loose leaf (forgiving flavor, easy to brew), daily tea drinkers who prefer lighter flavors for morning or afternoon, and anyone looking to replace coffee or soda with something gentler. It's also great if you enjoy the ritual of multiple infusions from the same leaves. Who should skip it? Anyone who wants a bold, in-your-face oolong or doesn't have any kind of infuser or strainer — you'll need some way to keep the whole leaves out of your cup.

For The Tao of Tea Green Dragon specifically, use water around 185–195°F (just below boiling) and steep for 2–3 minutes. Because these are whole leaves, they unfurl beautifully and can handle multiple infusions — reviewers report getting 3 or more steepings from the same leaves, with the flavor shifting subtly each time. Some buyers even use it in a reusable K-cup in their Keurig, which works surprisingly well according to reviews. A small mesh infuser or gaiwan is ideal for getting the most out of these whole leaves.

For a lighter oolong like Green Dragon, 2–3 minutes is the sweet spot for the first infusion. Since the flavor is naturally delicate and smooth, over-steeping can pull out bitterness — one reviewer did note a bitter taste, which can happen if you push past 4 minutes or use boiling water. The beauty of whole-leaf oolong is that you can re-steep: try 2 minutes the first time, then add 30 seconds for each subsequent infusion. Reviewers mention getting 3+ good steepings this way.

For The Tao of Tea Green Dragon, use about 1–2 teaspoons of loose leaves per 8 oz cup. Since these are whole, unbroken leaves, they're a bit bulkier than broken-leaf teas, so lean toward the fuller end if you want more flavor. The 3.5-ounce tin gives you quite a few cups, especially since these leaves are good for multiple infusions — you can get 3+ steepings from a single serving, making the tin last longer than you'd expect.

With The Tao of Tea Green Dragon, adding milk isn't recommended. This is a delicate, light oolong with subtle grassy and toasted chestnut notes — milk would completely overpower those flavors. Milk works better with heavily roasted or darker oolongs. If you want to experiment, a touch of honey pairs better with Green Dragon's light profile. Several reviewers specifically mention enjoying it with honey, and one noted it helps with allergy symptoms when combined that way.

Surprisingly, yes. At least one reviewer specifically mentions using it with a reusable K-cup in their Keurig and getting good results. It's not the traditional way to brew oolong, but the fact that Green Dragon is a lighter, more forgiving tea means it adapts well to different brewing methods. You won't get the full multi-infusion experience this way, but if convenience is your priority, it works.

Yes, all true oolong teas contain caffeine, and Green Dragon is no exception. As a lighter, less-oxidized oolong, it typically contains around 30–50 mg of caffeine per cup — roughly half what you'd get from coffee. Reviewers specifically mention using it as a coffee and soda alternative, which suggests the caffeine level is enough to provide a gentle lift without the jitters. The multiple-infusion approach also lets you control your intake: the first steep has the most caffeine, with each subsequent cup having less.

No — caffeine-wise, Green Dragon oolong has roughly half the caffeine of a typical cup of coffee. Flavor-wise, this particular oolong is decidedly delicate, with smooth grassy notes and subtle toasted chestnut undertones. It's nothing like the bold punch of coffee. That said, several reviewers chose it specifically as a coffee alternative, appreciating the gentler energy and smoother experience. If you're looking to ease off coffee, Green Dragon's mild character makes it a comfortable transition.

Longer than you'd think. At roughly 1–2 teaspoons per serving and 3+ infusions per serving, a 3.5-ounce tin can yield well over 50 cups of tea. For a daily drinker having 2–3 cups a day (from the same leaves), it could last about a month. That said, some reviewers have noted short expiration dates — sometimes just 3–6 months out — so check the date when you receive it and don't stockpile multiple tins.

The Tao of Tea is a well-regarded specialty tea brand based in Portland, Oregon, known for sourcing directly from tea gardens and emphasizing whole-leaf quality. With Green Dragon specifically, reviewers appreciate the whole, unbroken leaves and the aromatic quality of the tea. The brand has a loyal following among tea enthusiasts. One point of frustration some buyers have noted is inconsistent packaging — some receive the tea in the expected metal tin, while others get a cardboard container — but the tea quality itself is consistently praised.

Many reviewers of Green Dragon do exactly that — it's part of their daily tea routine. You'll get a steady intake of antioxidants, moderate caffeine (less jittery than coffee), and the calming L-theanine that oolong is known for. No reviewers report negative effects from daily consumption. The main practical benefit: at 3+ infusions per serving from these whole leaves, a single 3.5-ounce tin lasts a good while even with daily use. Just keep it to a reasonable amount (3–4 cups) and avoid it too late in the day if you're caffeine-sensitive.

That depends on what you're looking for. If you prefer a delicate, smooth oolong with grassy and subtle toasted chestnut notes, The Tao of Tea Green Dragon is a solid choice — especially if you're newer to oolong or prefer lighter teas. It uses whole leaves rather than broken fragments, which is a mark of quality. For bolder, more roasted oolongs, you'd want to look at darker varieties like Da Hong Pao. Green Dragon sits firmly in the lighter, greener end of the oolong spectrum.

Green Dragon actually bridges the gap — it's a lightly oxidized oolong that sits very close to green tea in character. You get the smooth, grassy notes you'd find in a green tea, but with a touch more complexity from the partial oxidation (think subtle toasted chestnut undertones). If you enjoy green tea but want something a bit more nuanced without going full black tea, this is an excellent middle ground. Health-wise, both are rich in antioxidants, though they offer slightly different polyphenol profiles.

Oolong sits between green and black tea — partially oxidized, which gives it a complexity you can't get from either. Green Dragon specifically is on the greener, lighter end of that spectrum, which means you get smooth, grassy notes with hints of toasted chestnut, without the astringency of some black teas or the vegetal punch of a straight green tea. What makes it particularly appealing is the re-steepability: whole leaves that give you multiple cups from one serving, each slightly different from the last.

Broadly, oolong is valued for its antioxidants, metabolism support, and as a gentler caffeine source than coffee. Green Dragon specifically is good for daily drinking, transitioning from tea bags to loose leaf (multiple reviewers praise it as their first loose leaf experience), and as a coffee or soda alternative. Its smooth, grassy flavor with toasted chestnut undertones makes it a versatile everyday tea — light enough for morning, refined enough for an afternoon pause. One reviewer even noted it helps with allergy symptoms when paired with honey.

Oolong tea is often cited alongside green tea as one of the healthiest options, thanks to its polyphenol content and partial oxidation that gives it a unique antioxidant profile. The Tao of Tea Green Dragon is a lighter oolong, closer to green tea in processing, so it retains more of those catechins associated with health benefits. Several reviewers mention drinking it daily as a coffee or soda alternative, which is a healthier swap in itself. Whether it's 'the healthiest' is debatable — all true teas have benefits — but oolong is certainly up there.

Oolong is generally considered easier on the stomach than coffee or heavily fermented teas. Green Dragon in particular is a smooth, light oolong with very low astringency, which makes it gentle on digestion. Reviewers don't report any stomach issues, and its mild character suggests it's a good option for people with sensitive stomachs. That said, like any caffeinated tea, it's best not to drink it on a completely empty stomach.

Oolong tea contains caffeine and L-theanine, so technically yes, it's a mild stimulant. But the experience is quite different from coffee. The L-theanine promotes calm focus, so you get alertness without the crash. Green Dragon is a lighter oolong, so the stimulant effect is gentle — reviewers use it as a daily morning or afternoon tea, and some specifically switched to it from coffee and soda for a smoother energy curve.