Lao Cong Shui Xian

Lao Cong Shui Xian is a highly aromatic Old Tree oolong from Wu Yi Shan in Fujian Province. This characterful yancha produces an amber liquor with a heady floral aroma. The clean, floral profile has roasted and stony notes with a dry and spicy long-lasting finish.

Brewing guide: 2.5g in 250ml water at 90°C for 2-4 minutes

£3.30£11.50

(10-50g)

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Origin:Banyan, Wu Yi Shan, Fujian Province, China
Cultivar:Shui Xian 'Water Lily' (水仙)
Harvest time:May 2024
Sourcing:Specialist Chinese Wholesaler

Description

Lao Cong Shui Xian (老枞水仙) is a fantastic oolong from Wu Yi Shan in Fujian Province of China that is renowned for producing some of the best and most characterful oolongs. This ‘half rock’ Banyan (半岩) tea is made from leaves plucked from old trees (Lao Cong) that are more than 70 years old grown in the Banyan tea production area of the Wu Yi Mountains. It has undergone medium roasting, resulting in an attractive complex flavour. This particular lot was produced in May 2024.

Shui Xian (sometimes Shui Hsien) is a type of oolong that originally comes from Fujian Province and refers to the cultivar used to make this tea. Shui Xian translates as ‘narcissus’, ‘water sprite’ or ‘water lily’ in English and is known for distinctive flowery honey aroma and flavour.

Lao Cong Shui Xian is a highly aromatic Wu Yi Rock oolong (Yancha), which can also often be referred to by the English name ‘Bohea’. As historically the term Bohea used to apply to lower grades of tea, the preferred term for teas coming out of this terroir is Wu Yi tea or Wu Yi Rock tea. Wu Yi teas are grown on rocky mountainsides where the soil is high in mineral content and the growth of the tea trees is much slower. This terroir results in a distinctive ‘rock’ taste that is prized amongst tea lovers for the characteristic profile that is stony and mineral in taste but featuring a long lasting sweet and floral aftertaste.

The leaves of this Lao Cong Shui Xian are rather large and produce an amber infusion with a heady floral aroma. The medium roast level results in sophisticated but very well balanced flavours. The liquor has a mouth-watering quality to it, with long lasting clean floral notes. There are dry and stony flavours that signify this is a Wu Yi Rock oolong. The slightly spicy finish combines with overall roasted and floral honey flavours to create a very pleasing yet complex aftertaste.

We suggest brewing at 90°C for 2-4 minutes according to your taste. It should be brewed 3 or more times depending on your taste preferences as each infusion brings out slightly different aspects of this tea.

This Old Tree Wu Yi Rock Lao Cong Shui Xian oolong tea was first featured in our March 2017 Curious Tea Subscription Boxes.