Shui Jin Gui

Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle Oolong) is one of Wu Yi Shan’s four famous yan cha. It is one of the dozens of unique yan cha that are made from a namesake tea bush varietal found growing throughout the Wu Yi Shan.

While many are familiar with Da Hong Pao ( perhaps the most famous yan cha) other yan cha are made from named tea bush varietals which have similar but different characteristics.

Many of these unique varietal oolongs are not very well known outside of that region, but the opportunity to offer a selection of these unique teas to our tea enthusiast customers is very appealing to us.

This tea is majestic and commanding – its initial mild astringency gives way to a deep, mineral flavor that can only come from the rocky, mineral-rich soil composition of the Wu Yi Shan. The flavor of Shui Jin Gui changes over the course of multiple steepings, and at times is reminiscent of caramelized squash, spicy carnations, and chocolate.

The traditional, heavy roasting it receives becomes integral to the distinctive flavor of this tea, adding the warm flavor of a low temperature, slow-burning, wood ash ember fire to the inherent flavor of the fresh leaf. This most traditional and characeristic firing gives Shui Jin Gui a long, satisfying finish, and helps to keeps the flavor deep inside of the leaf.

This is a noble tea from a venerable terroir, and we are proud to feaure it in our fine oolong selection.