There are many places that you can buy Wu-Yi tea, from local markets, to the wide expanse of the Internet. But did you know that often when you buy a tea it is filled with other tea herbs that influence the quality of your Chinese tea? It's important to know who you are buying from, and to know the facts about it before you attempt to buy Wu-Yi tea.

Typing Wu-Yi or oolong tea into a search engine will bring up thousands of stores, some you have heard of, and some you haven't. So how do you know who will give you real quality Wu-Yi, and not some kind of imitation? One thing you should always focus on is price.

Most weight loss teas are slightly more expensive then your average set of leaves, but an fair average if about $10 for an 8 oz package of loose leaves, or around $5 for 20 tea bags. You can also buy small sampled for a few bucks, which for around 10 - 15 samples per $2 can be worth it if you aren't sure you like it or not. But there are several places that will try to charge you $10+ for a few ounces, something even for one! This is obviously a scam, and even if it is pure Wu-Yi, it's a waste of money. Good rule of thumb: if it seems too high, go somewhere else.

Another factor is the store itself. Going to places like eBay may seem like a good idea, but with little idea of the seller's actual reputation, even with a high rating it can be a risk. Ditto with sites that are littered with advertisements or claim amazing benefits that seem unrealistic. Try to stick with companies you have been able to research a bit, and if possible with highly-trusted names, like Amazon, or a local health food store.

And finally, remember that all Wu-Yi is a type of oolong tea. Whether you are buying it for yourself, or as a tea gift, it's unwise to believe the hype about its unique properties. While the taste it different then most green and white varieties, it's still a common tea named after the region where it is found. Be careful not to be taken in by mystical claims of it being a "Chinese secret". Otherwise you will come out disappointed, and frankly, quite a bit poorer.