Verdant Tea

2021 Full Roast Shui Xian

2021 Full Roast Shui Xian

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Famously Cooling
Evocative Oolong
One of Wuyishan’s most iconic cultivars, Shui Xian combines daffodil aromatics with a textural depth and complexity that evokes a cedar forest after rain. This dark roast accentuates notes of jasmine, strawberry, and aloeswood.
Spring 2021 ♦ Wuyishan, Fujian
Famously Cooling
Evocative Oolong
One of Wuyishan’s most iconic cultivars, Shui Xian combines daffodil aromatics with a textural depth and complexity that evokes a cedar forest after rain. This dark roast accentuates notes of jasmine, strawberry, and aloeswood.
Spring 2021 ♦ Wuyishan, Fujian
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Crafted by the Li Family

Hand-picked and traditionally hand-finished within the true Wuyishan Ecological Preserve on forested biodiverse, rocky, mountainous land for distinct Wuyi minerality.
 
The Li Family is an award-winning, highly respected force for sustainability, hand-firing craft, rare varietal preservation, and tea education in Wuyishan.
    • DATE OF PICKINGSpring 2021
    • Wuyishan Ecological PreserveWuyishan, Fujian
    • ELEVATION600 METERS
    • Shui XianTea Varietal

    Deep forest, and juicy aromatics - the new 2021 harvest is here!

    Shui Xian is named after the Narcissus flower, but has the deeper meaning of “Water Sprite.” The cliffs above the Longchuan river are full of caves and ghost stories, so it is not hard to imagine this tea getting its name from an old Taoist legend. Mr. Li hand-fired this batch of Shui Xian to give its cooling texture even more sparkling, tingling intensity. Shui Xian varietal is known for its foresty woody flavors and deep lingering texture. The Li Family’s biodiverse forested tea gardens within the Wuyi Ecological Preserve help play up the varietals natural complexity.

  • true
    100
    daffodil, jasmine
    true
    70
    aloeswood, camphor
    true
    50
    semolina
    true
    50
    strawberry
    true
    forest wood, cooling, sparkling

    Tasting Profile

    • floral - daffodil, jasmine
    • spice - aloeswood, camphor
    • savory - semolina
    • fruit - strawberry
    • texture - forest wood, cooling, sparkling

the Li Family also recommends:

  1. 2022 Qilan
    2022 Qilan

    Qilan varieties is almost legendary for its deep luscious orchid notes and its subtle incense spice. The Li Family cultivates established 40+ year Qilan bushes on their rocky volcanic mountainside plot in the Wuyishan Ecological Preserve, letting the tea build complexity through biodiverse plantings, and carefully preserved natural forest cover. They hand-pick their Qilan and expertly bring out the florals through hand-crafting over a meticulous 12 hour turning and fluffing process called yaoqing. The careful and restrained roast on this Qilan really allows the florals to shine through, bolstered by the rocky minerality that the Li Family’s teas are famous for.

  2. 2022 Big Red Robe
    2022 Big Red Robe
    Li Xiangxi's family grows this tea within the Wuyishan Ecological Preserve, hand picking every leaf and delicately roasting this tea in bamboo baskets over charcoal embers to bring out the natural minerality of the region. Li Xiangxi's eldest brother oversees the family's oolong teas, and believes strongly in standing against the modern trend to over-roast and cover the natural flavor of the tea. This makes the family's Big Red Robe unique among its peers. While Big Red Robe is named after five original bushes that still stand today in Wuyishan, modern Big Red Robe is made from Qidan varietal, which is known for its tremendous balance, and deep warmth. It is truly the archetypal tea of the region, and the place to start your exploration of Wuyi Oolongs as a grounding point of reference. The LI Family’s Big Red Robe consistently wins gold medals at Wuyi tea competitions.
  3. 2022 Rock Milk Wuyi Oolong
    2022 Rock Milk Wuyi Oolong

    Rock Milk or Shi Ru is an uncommon varietal that the Li Family cultivates on their mist-shaded, mountain spring-fed biodiverse plot within the Wuyi Ecological Preserve. The naturally rocky elements of this tea come through even stronger as they take in the deep minerality of the volcanic rocky soil. As a rare offering, Mr. Li takes the time to bring out the rich mouthwatering lingering yun sensation of this tea through the hand firing at low heat for hours needed to bring out the very best. This varietal is an excellent chance to taste the terroir of the region.

  • 'Lingering aromatics, sweet sensation on the sides of the mouth, mouth watering, and a vaporous persistent quality - these are what we call Yan Yun. - Li Xiangxi'

  • 5
    6-8
    208
    20 seconds
    10
    7
    6
    208
    5 seconds
    3
    4
    12
    room temp
    8 hours

    Steeping Instructions

    Western

    5 g.6-8
    oz.
    use 208° watersteep 20 secondsresteep many times
    add 10 sec. each infusion

    Gongfu

    7 g.6 ozuse 208° watersteep 5 seconds
    add 3 sec. per steeping
    enjoy many steepings

    Iced/Cold

    4 g.12
    oz.
    use room temp. waterrefrigerate overnight
    8 hours
    add ice & enjoy

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