Gaocong Shui Xian Water Immortal 2021 No.555

Shuixian (水仙) is Water Goddess is a type of rock tea (岩茶, yancha) from the Wuyi mountains. The repeatedly-baked dark Wulong’s usual fiery taste is now combined with a complex mixture of light sour-, and bitterness which then soon turns into a long-lasting sweet, nutty aftertaste. With its flowery redolence, Shuixian is considered one of the most fragrant teas in the Wuyi mountains, hence the name, which also means narcissus.

The Chinese expression gaocong means ‘high bush/high tree’, so they don’t cut back the plants to hedge-size. Due to the slow-growing of the tea plant (Camelia sinensis), it means old trees at the same time. Gaocong is usually used for plants above 40-50 years old.

Wuyi teas have two major idiosyncrasies: First, they are plucked only during Spring, and second, they are baked multiple times: at harvest time, then once again a half year later.

The Wuyi Mountains are situated in Fujian Province, China. With its more than a thousand-year-old history of tea cultivation, and approximate 200 different varieties of the tea plant (Camelia sinensis) the area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain’s volcanic nature reappears in the character of the tea: fiery, vitalizing ambiance and strong chaqi (茶氣, that is tea nature/energy).

Tasting notes:
Steamed gaiwan: vanilla sugar, roasted hazelnut, sponge cake
Tastes, feeling: The first impression is really smooth, and buttery, and a bit of steamed corn is also there. Then some spices, rose flavors, incense, and a hint of pink pepper come. It has a terrific mouth feel; oily, balsamic, and smooth. The effect is like an honest hug from an old friend. It is a happy, smiley tea, a good choice for sad weather. 

Preparing Instructions:

Quantity: 5-6 grams per 150ml.
Water temperature: 95ºC. From fresh spring water or filtered water.
Brewing time: 3-3-5-7…seconds
Infusions: 6-8