2016 Bai Sha Xi “Jian Xing” Hua Zhuan Tea Brick

A special 2 kilogram Hua Zhuan tea brick produced by Bai Sha Xi Tea Factory in 2016, presented in a striking red commemorative box. Bai Sha Xi, based in Anhua County, Hunan, is one of the foundational producers of Hunan hei cha and is widely associated with the development and refinement of Fu Zhuan and Hua Zhuan style dark teas. This large-format brick is an impressive example of that tradition: densely pressed, beautifully packaged, and made to age and evolve slowly over time.

“Hua Zhuan” refers to a pressed dark tea brick that develops the famous golden flowers prized in certain Hunan hei cha. These golden blooms are a beneficial fungus that forms under carefully controlled conditions and contributes both to the tea’s aroma and its mellow, sweet, comfortable drinking character. In the photos, the brick itself is beautifully pressed and embossed, while the box and inner wrap give it the feel of a gift or commemorative release rather than an everyday factory brick.

• Large 2 kilogram format: a substantial sized brick of tea that ages slowly and steadily
• Bai Sha Xi production: from one of the best-known and most historically important hei cha factories in Hunan
• Golden flower style dark tea: prized for its sweet, smooth, gently earthy character
• Commemorative presentation: housed in an eye-catching red box with matching inner wrap
• Aging-friendly: large bricks like this tend to develop gradually and beautifully over time

Material & character

This brick is composed entirely of spring harvest material from the Anhua area, then processed using Bai Sha Xi’s proprietary dark tea methods before being pressed into a large brick form. During controlled post-processing, the golden flowers develop within the brick under carefully managed temperature and humidity. The brick is then dried slowly at a low temperature to stabilize the tea without damaging the leaf or the golden flowers.

The result is a tea that brews a clear orange to amber liquor with a texture that is sweet, thick, and lubricating. The flavor profile is comforting and layered, with notes of dried fruit, hay, woodsy mushrooms, and mellow dark sweetness. It is not sharp or aggressive. Instead, it feels rounded, grounding, and easy on the body.

Tasting notes

• Aroma: dried hay, grain, forest floor, light mushroom, dried fruit
• Liquor: clear deep orange to amber
• Flavor: sweet and smooth with notes of dried fruit, hay, mushrooms, and mellow aged wood
• Mouthfeel: thick, soft, and lubricating in the mouth and throat
• Body feel: mild, steady, and comfortable

Brewing guide

This is a large, dense brick, so it benefits from a little patience when prying and brewing.

Gongfu

• 6–8 grams per 100 ml
• 100 °C / boiling water
• Rinse once or twice
• Start around 15–20 seconds and adjust from there
• Expect many infusions

Western

• 4–5 grams per 300 ml
• Boiling water
• 3–5 minutes
• Re-steep 2–3 times

Boiled / simmered

• This style of tea can also take gentle boiling very well once the leaf has opened
• Excellent for thermos or kettle-style preparation

Thermos style

• 1-1.5 grams per 100ml
• 30-60 minutes

Aging notes

Large-format hei cha bricks like this are excellent for longer-term storage. Over time, expect the tea to become deeper, sweeter, woodier, and more integrated, while the mouthfeel grows rounder and the aroma more mellow. Store in 50-70% RH and 70-100F, in an odor-free area, with minimal airflow.

Allergen note

ALLERGEN ALERT: Because there is a possibility the golden flowers were inoculated using wheat flour, we cannot guarantee this tea is safe for those with Celiac Disease or those with severe gluten-related allergies.

Box condition note

This tea comes in a presentation box, but due to its size and weight, the box may be damaged in transit. No refunds, credits, or returns will be offered for cosmetic box damage. If a perfect box is essential, this item may not be the best choice.

In Summary

• Name: 2016 Bai Sha Xi “Jian Xing” Hua Zhuan Tea Brick
• Type: Hunan Hei Cha / Hua Zhuan
• Producer: Bai Sha Xi Tea Factory
• Origin: Anhua County, Hunan
• Harvest material: Spring Harvest Anhua tea
• Vintage: 2016
• Weight: 2 kilograms
• Format: large tightly pressed brick

In short: a striking 2 kg Bai Sha Xi Hua Zhuan brick with classic Hunan dark tea character,  sweet, thick, mushroomy, soothing, and built for years of graceful aging.