Zhangping Shui Xian Oolong Tea

Description

	Cup Method		Chinese Gongfu Method
	Teacup: 12oz / 355ml		Gaiwan: 3.8oz / 110ml
	212℉ / 100℃		212℉ / 100℃
	1 piece		Half piece
	Brewing time: 5 – 8 mins		13 steeps: rinse, 10s, 10s, 10s, 10s, 10s, 15s, 15s, 15s, 15s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 40s
			Rinse time is around 5 seconds

Jiu Peng Xi tea graden is located in Zhangping City, Fujian Province. Tea gardens are distributed across gentle mountain slopes at 300-800 meters elevation. Nourishing these tea gardens are clear, pristine mountain streams—their water cold, sweet, and mineral-rich—providing a continuous high-quality water source for tea trees. The mountainous area enjoys year-round humid air, abundant rainfall (annual precipitation 1600-1800 mm), four distinct seasons, and significant day-night temperature variations. These unique climatic conditions, particularly the large diurnal temperature differences, greatly benefit tea plants: ample daytime photosynthesis accumulates nutrients, while reduced nighttime respiration conserves energy. This concentrates richer compounds within the leaves, forming the natural foundation for Zhangping Shui Xian Tea’s distinctive floral aroma.

Zhangping City is located in central-south Fujian. The city lies on the southern edge of the subtropical zone, classified as a subtropical monsoon climate—characterized by warmth, humidity, and abundant rainfall, with mild winters and summers. Annual mean temperatures range from 16.9°C to 20.7°C, precipitation measures 1,450-2,100 mm, and the multi-year average sunshine duration is 1,853 hours. These conditions facilitate multi-cropping of plants and rapid forest growth, supporting diverse flora and fauna. They provide favorable natural conditions for tea production.

Shui Xian is both the name of tea and the tea bush. It was recognized as national fine tea specie in 1985 by the National Crop Variety Approval Committee, number GS139-1985. It belongs to the small tree type, and large leaf species, with strong, dark green leaves. This tea species is mostly picked in May, and the prepared oolong tea has the characteristics of mellow, rich taste and sweet aftertaste.

The story of Zhangping Shui Xian began during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. Tea farmer Liu Yongfa discovered wild Shuixian tea trees in Nanyang Town, combining the fermentation techniques of Northern Fujian Shuixian with the greening methods of Southern Fujian oolong tea to create the first ‘compressed square tea’. Rectangular as an official seal with orchid-like fragrance, it swiftly became Western Fujian’s ‘treasure among teas’.

In 1914, Zhangping Shui Xian won silver at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition for its ‘seal-like form and enduring fragrance’, praised as ‘a sculpted poem among oolong teas’.