做青
Term · Processing
zuoqing
Literal meaning
make/work + green (leaf)
Definition#
The defining oolong step: alternating rounds of shaking or tumbling (摇青) and resting (晾青) over many hours. Bruising the leaf edges triggers enzymatic oxidation at the margins while the leaf 'breathes out' moisture (走水), producing the 'green leaf with red edge' look and the aroma. The heritage text stresses 'judging the leaf' (看青做青) and 'judging the weather' (看天做青).
Translation and usage#
| Language | Use | Alternatives & cautions |
|---|---|---|
| English | zuoqing repeated shaking and resting that drives partial oxidation pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
Avoid fermenting the process is enzymatic oxidation, not microbial fermentation |
| Deutsch | Zuoqing Bearbeitungsphase mit wiederholtem Schütteln und Ruhen pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
Avoid Fermentation misnomer |
| Русский | цзо цин чередование встряхивания и покоя листа pinyin with a gloss |
Also acceptable
Avoid ферментация misnomer; the step causes oxidation |
| 简体字繁體字 | 做青 | |
| 日本語 | 做青 |
Common confusions#
- Described in many Russian and German sources as 'fermentation'.
- TeaTerra's roasting article writes «Цзо Цин»; moychay uses «яо цинь» (встряхивание) for the shaking part only.
Terms#
Entries that use this term 12#
武夷岩茶
Wuyi rock tea Wǔyí yánchá
Umbrella entry for the roasted oolongs of Wuyishan, defined by a geographical-indication standard; individual cultivars and named teas are child entries.
sourced
漳平市
Zhangping Zhāngpíng Shì
County-level city in Longyan, home of Zhangping Shuixian: Shuixian oolong pressed in wooden moulds into small paper-wrapped square cakes and charcoal-roasted.
sourced
乌龙茶
Oolong wūlóngchá
Umbrella for partly oxidised teas made by bruising the leaf (做青); grouped by origin as Minbei, Minnan, Guangdong (Chaozhou) and Taiwan oolong.
sourced
凤凰镇
Fenghuang Fènghuáng Zhèn
Mountain town north of Chaozhou and the heart of Phoenix Dancong oolong. Its named single-bush trees, grouped by aroma, grow from about 365 m to 1,200 m.
sourced
黄金桂
Huangjin Gui Huángjīn Guì
Light, very fragrant Anxi oolong from the early Huangdan cultivar, named "golden osmanthus" for its aroma; defined by GB/T 30357.3-2015.
sourced
凤凰单丛
Phoenix Dancong Fènghuáng Dāncōng
An aromatic family of oolongs from the Phoenix Mountains of Chaozhou, Guangdong, known for long, twisted leaves and naturally floral, fruity or honeyed aromas. Its many named selections come from Fenghuang Shuixian tea plants, with each tea’s character shaped by the plant material and processing.
sourced
Show all entries 12Show fewer entries
蜜兰香单丛
Mi Lan Xiang Dancong Mìlánxiāng Dāncōng
The honey-orchid aroma family of Dancong, including several named selections as well as Baiye Milan; the aroma name alone does not identify one cultivar.
sourced
鸭屎香单丛
Ya Shi Xiang Dancong Yāshǐxiāng Dāncōng
A floral Dancong associated with Pingkengtou in Fenghuang, known by the striking name Ya Shi Xiang (“duck-shit aroma”) and also sold as Yin Hua Xiang.
sourced
黄栀香单丛
Huang Zhi Xiang Dancong Huángzhīxiāng Dāncōng
The gardenia-like aroma family of Dancong, covering several named tree lines; written 黄栀香 in the GI text and often 黄枝香 in trade.
sourced
芝兰香单丛
Zhi Lan Xiang Dancong Zhīlánxiāng Dāncōng
The orchid-like Zhi Lan Xiang aroma family of Dancong, including Ba Xian and other named selections from the Fenghuang area.
sourced
宋种单丛
Song Zhong Dancong Sòngzhǒng Dāncōng
A traditional name associated with celebrated old Fenghuang trees and their propagated lines; it spans several aroma families and does not by itself prove ancient-tree leaf.
sourced
岭头单丛
Lingtou Dancong Lǐngtóu Dāncōng
Dancong associated with the Lingtou (Baiye) cultivar and Lingtou village in Fubin, Raoping; known for honey-floral character, with a separate GI product recognised in 2025.
sourced