Shui Xian (Gao Cong) – Beiyuan Tribute Tea – 2021 Spring Charcoal Hand-Roasted Fujian High Bush Oolong Tea

Origin: Nanping, Wuyi Mountain area, north Fujian Province

Harvest: 2021 spring tea leaves from Minnan Shui Xian tea trees (Gao Cong- high bush 30-60 years old tea trees), charcoal roasting by hand

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Introduction:

Shui Xian tea is a famous tea created by tea farmers in Fujian. It is one of the excellent varieties of Chinese tea and one of the oolong teas in Fujian. It is native to Northern Fujian. A thousand years ago, this kind of tea tree existed in Jianyang and Jianou, but it was artificially cultivated during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1662-1722) more than 300 years ago. Shui Xian tea ranks first among the 48 “national tea varieties in China”, and is also the first of 41 semi arbor large leaf tea varieties in China. It is the only tea variety originated in Jianyang City, Fujian Province.

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.