2023 Wuyi Zhengyan Old Bush Shuixian Oolong

Chinese name: 2023武夷正岩老叢水仙 

TSH says:

2023 Zhengyan Wuyi Lao Cong Shuixian

Rock Tea Selection: This tea uses Old Bush (Lao Cong) Shuixian from the core production area of the Wuyi Mountains as its raw material. Roasted over a medium-light fire, it presents a rich and lasting orchid fragrance with a distinct congwei (bush age flavor/aroma). The taste is sweet, mellow, and full-bodied, with a clear yanyun (rock rhyme/minerality) and a notable huigan (returning sweetness). It stands up well to multiple infusions.

Product Details:

• Year: 2023
• Roast Level: Medium-Light
• Packaging Options: 150g Bag / 300g Bag
• Packaging Type: Simple foil bag

About Wuyi Rock Tea & Shuixian

Wuyi Rock Tea (Yancha), originating from the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, is highly regarded for its unique yanyun (rock rhyme/minerality) and exceptional quality. Main varieties include Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe), Rougui (Cassia), Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle), Tie Luo Han (Iron Arhat), and Wuyi Shuixian (Narcissus).

So, what is "Wuyi Shuixian"? Wuyi Shuixian is a type of oolong tea, specifically one of the main representative cultivars of Wuyi Rock Tea.

Shuixian Cultivar Characteristics:

• Appearance: Plump, robust leaves.
• Color: Lustrous greenish-brown.
• Aroma: Intense, with a distinctive "orchid fragrance" (lan hua xiang).
• Taste: Rich, mellow, and full-bodied flavor with a noticeable houyun (throat sensation/finish) and a refreshing huigan (returning sweetness).
• Liquor: Deep, vibrant orange-yellow color.
• Infusion Endurance: Can be infused multiple times.
• Spent Leaves: Soft and bright, often with bright red oxidation points along the leaf edges.
• Other Features: Some leaf backs may show 'sugary frost' (沙粒 - shā lì); the main vein at the leaf base is often wide and flat.

As the popular saying goes, "For fragrance, nothing surpasses Rougui; for mellowness, nothing surpasses Shuixian" (香不過肉桂，醇不過水仙 - xiāng bùguò ròuguì, chún bùguò shuǐxiān). Wuyi Shuixian offers a floral, orchid-like charm. Its smooth, mellow, and full taste makes it a beloved tea for many enthusiasts.