Light Roast "Gao Cong Shui Xian" Rock Oolong Tea
Old-bush Shui Xian crafted with a gentle, low fire to spotlight its natural orchid fragrance. This is a subtle, mellow, sweet take on classic Yancha: clean minerality, airy florals, and an easy, persistent finish. It handles longer infusions gracefully and keeps its flavor for many rounds.
Why it’s special
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Old-bush (gao cong) Shui Xian for deeper sweetness and stamina.
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Light roast preserves orchid aromatics and a fresh, lifted cup.
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Clear Wuyi “rock” character: mineral backbone with soft sweetness.
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Forgiving to brew: long steeps or many short infusions both work.
Tasting notes
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Aroma: orchid, wildflower honey, light wood, warm mineral.
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Liquor: clear amber-gold; medium body with smooth texture.
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Flavor: mellow honeyed sweetness over gentle stone-mineral and tender florals; a hint of baked grain from the light roast.
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Finish: clean, cooling, and lightly sweet with steady after-aroma.
Origin & processing
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Area: Wuyishan, Fujian
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Cultivar: Shui Xian
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Bush age: 50 years and older bushes (gao cong 高从)
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Harvest: April
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Craft: traditional withering, shake-bruise, low-to-moderate oxidation, light charcoal roast to set fragrance
Brewing guide
(Good water makes a big difference. Adjust to taste.)
Gongfu (recommended)
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6–7 g per 100 ml
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98–100 °C
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Quick rinse, then 10s • 12s • 15s • 20s • 25s… for 8–10 infusions
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Notes: push time slightly if you want more depth; keep early steeps short to emphasize florals.
Western
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3 g per 300 ml (10 oz)
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95–98 °C for 2–3 minutes
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2–3 infusions; add 20–30s on later rounds
Grandpa style
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1–1.5 g per 100 ml
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90–95 °C, top up as you sip
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Smooth, floral-sweet cup with very low astringency
Pairing & occasions
Excellent as an afternoon oolong or for side-by-side tastings with medium and heavy-roast Yancha to explore roast levels.
In Summary
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Caffeine: medium
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Storage: airtight, cool, dry, away from strong aromas. Light-roast Yancha benefits from a brief rest after delivery; enjoy now or over the next 12–24 months.
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Tea: Light Roast Gao Cong Shui Xian (Wuyi Rock Oolong)
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Harvest: April (spring)
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Region: Wuyishan, Fujian
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Style: older-bush Shui Xian, light charcoal roast
In short: a gentle, floral-forward Shui Xian with honest rock minerality, easy sweetness, and the resilience to take either longer steeps or many short infusions.