Aijiao Oolong – Song Dynasty Beiyuan Tribute Tea – 2021 Spring Charcoal Hand-Roasted Fujian Oolong Tea

Origin: Nanping, Wuyi Mountain area, north Fujian Province

Harvest: 2021 spring tea leaves from Aijiao tea trees, charcoal roasting by hand

Direction:

Introduction:

Aijiao- Short legged oolong, also known as soft branch oolong and small leaf oolong, is mainly produced in Dongfeng Town, Jian’ou City, Fujian Province. One of the clonal varieties of tea tree, which is the top grade of Oolong tea and has a cultivation history of more than 100 years. It is native to Jianou, Beiyuan Tribute tea base, Fujian Province and the century long oolong tea plantation in Dongfeng town. The predecessor of this plantation is Beiyuan imperial tea garden in Song Dynasty. Tea production has a history of more than 1000 years. It is the birthplace of “Qingxin Oolong” and “Dong Ding frozen top Oolong” tea, which are internationally renowned in Taiwan.

Jian’ou is the most famous ancient tea capital in history. Ancient tea garden sites can be seen everywhere in the countryside of Jian’ou. These ancient tea garden sites are scattered like pearls in various towns of Jian’ou. Cai Xiang’s <Tea Record 茶录> and Zhao Ji’s <Treatise on Grand Sight of Tea 大观茶论> have all mentioned the site of “Beiyuan Tribute Roasting” Beiyuan tribute tea garden, which is located in Jianzhou, Fujian Province, the relics of stone inscriptions in Beiyuan tribute tea garden of Song Dynasty were discovered on the hillside of Linlong, Baoqian natural village, Peiqiao village, Dongfeng Town, Jian’ou City, Fujian Province in 1985.

Oolong tea are mainly produced in Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan areas, according to the orgins, oolong could be divided into four sorts: North Min (闽- short for Fujian), South Min, Guangdong and Taiwan. In rencent years, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei and Guizhou provinces also produce oolong teas. North Min oolong teas are produced in Jianyang, Wuyi mountian, Jian’ou, Shaowu and Zhenghe, Wuyi Yan Cha 武夷岩茶 – Wuyi Rock Tea is the most famous one e.g. Da Hong Pao, Tieluohan, Baijiguan, Shuijingui, Bantianyao, Wuyi Rougui and Wuyi Shuixian etc.. Besides normal oolong pruducing processes, North Min fine oolong add some other processes, roasting, screening and winnowing etc., among all, the fine manipulation and roasting techniques make North Min oolong more special.