Location, Cultivation, Processing
The Wu Yi Shan Mountains in the northwest of Fujian Province traditionally rank among the most famous tea cultivation regions in China. This relatively large region, which is dominated by imposing rock massifs, densely growing forests and twisting rivers, is home to only 20,000 people. For centuries the mountains were a place of hermitage for taoist and buddhist monks, who began to settle in the region during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). From this period onward tea was cultivated on the cliffs and hills as well as in the gorges. The unique natural landscape offers unusual conditions for growing tea, but the results are impressive.
The karst topography offers excellent growing conditions for tea, as rainwater collects minerals from the cliffs and limestone gorges as it flows. The natural drainage and low surface water of the land was used by early monks and farmers to their advantage, resulting in very mineral rich soil. The tea plants growing in the valleys and slopes absorb these minerals to produce nutritious tea.
The cultivars used for this tea include the native, small-leafed variety known as xiaocai (小菜茶), which grows deep roots capable of taking in a high volume of nutrients. Since xiaocai produces such small leaves and grows slowly, it does not have a high yield. Consequently, the cultivar Fuyun No. 6 (福云六号) is also used for this tea because of its larger leaves and higher yield. This tea is composed of the hand-picked bud and first two leaves of these cultivars.
The freshly picked buds and leaves are laid out for withering over a smoky pine wood fire that gives the tea its finely smoked flavour. In the next step, the leaves are rolled and kneaded to break up their cells so that the leaf enzymes oxidise. To stop oxidation, the leaves are traditionally placed in roasting pans. In the last stage, the leaves are rolled and dried into their characteristic twisted needle shape. This final drying at first takes place over an open flame and then over a smoking pine wood fire.
Single Origin
This tea is exclusively sourced from the above mentioned tea farm in Sandu Cun. Sourced directly from the tea farmer.
