Highlights of Our Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle) Oolong Tea
- Origin and Terroir: Our Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea is exclusively harvested from Mituo Yan, located in the renowned Wuyi Mountains, an area celebrated for its unique rocky soil and microclimate that imbue the tea with its distinctive mineral notes and complex flavors.
- Premium Grade Ingredients: This shui jin gui tea is made from the finest, plump leaves, selected for their size and the luxurious green-brown hue that indicates a deep, rich flavor profile. No additives are used, ensuring an all-natural, pure taste experience.
- Traditional Processing: Crafted using ancient carbon-baking techniques, our Golden Water Turtle tea undergoes a slow roasting process for 24 hours. This traditional method enhances the tea’s natural flavors and aromas, resulting in a product of unmatched quality.
- Appearance of Dry Leaves: The leaves of our Shui Jin Gui tea are robust and oily with a vibrant jewel-toned color. Their clear, beautiful strands are not only visually appealing but also indicate the tea’s superior quality and the care taken during its processing.
- Aroma: Upon brewing, Golden Water Turtle tea releases an enchanting orchid-like fragrance, reminiscent of plum blossoms. This subtle yet profound aroma creates an inviting and serene tea-drinking atmosphere.
- Flavor Profile: The Shui Jin Gui tea boasts a smooth, velvety texture with a robust flavor that balances notes of freshness with a sweet aftertaste. Its rich, full-bodied taste is enhanced by the notable rock rhyme, characteristic of its Wuyi origins.
- Liquor Quality: The brewed Golden Water Turtle tea presents a clear, orange-yellow liquor, signaling its purity and high-grade processing. The clarity of the tea speaks to its premium quality and careful handling during brewing.
- Sustainability in Brewing: Known for its durability through multiple infusions, Shui Jin Gui tea retains a delightful flavor and aromatic presence that lasts for many cups, making each session both a discovery and a pleasure.
- Leaf Base: Post-infusion, the tea leaves are soft and bright, with a thick, uniform texture and a striking red edge, underscoring the Golden Water Turtle tea’s premium quality and aesthetic appeal.
What Is Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle) Oolong Tea
Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea, translated as “Golden Water Turtle,” is one of the renowned “Four Great Bushes” of oolong tea from the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, China. The name reflects the tea’s precious nature and its remarkable appearance; the leaves, when brewed, unfurl and sink like a graceful turtle diving in golden water. This poetic imagery not only captures the golden water turtle tea’s visual allure but also hints at the deep, rich flavors that await within each leaf.
The legacy of Shui Jin Gui oolong tea stretches back centuries, rooted deeply within the tea culture of the Wuyi Mountains. As a vital component of Yan Cha (rock tea), Shui Jin Gui has been celebrated for its robust flavor and the skillful craftsmanship required to produce it. Historically, this tea was a luxury reserved for emperors and high-ranking officials, admired for its complex flavor profile and its embodiment of the natural beauty and spirit of the rocky landscapes from which it originates.
Compared with Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong pao tea, Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea is meticulously processed through a series of traditional steps that enhance its unique characteristics. The leaves are first withered under the sun to reduce moisture and then lightly bruised to initiate oxidation. Following this, the leaves undergo a carefully controlled roasting process, which not only stops the oxidation but also develops the tea’s distinctive smooth and sweet flavor profile. This method, combined with the mineral-rich soil of its Wuyi Mountain terroir, gives Shui Jin Gui its celebrated depth and enduring aftertaste, making each cup a reflection of both art and heritage
What Does Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle) Oolong Tea Taste Like?
Shui Jin Gui (golden water turtle) Oolong Tea is an exquisite beverage that delights the senses with its distinctive and memorable flavor profile. From the very first sip, this tea impresses with its deep, complex character, reflecting the rich mineral content of the Wuyi Mountains where it is cultivated.
Upon brewing, Shui Jin Gui reveals a captivating golden-orange hue, inviting the drinker into a world of refined tastes and aromas. The initial flavor is a rich blend of floral and fruity notes, reminiscent of ripe peaches and delicate orchids. This lush, sweet introduction is seamlessly followed by a refreshing hint of green, vegetal undertones, providing a perfect balance and adding layers to its profile.
As the tasting experience continues, the signature minerality of Wuyi rock teas becomes apparent. This mineral aspect contributes a slight crispness that enhances the overall flavor, bringing an invigorating freshness that stimulates the palate. The finish is smooth and lingering, with a subtle sweetness that echoes the floral notes and leaves a pleasant, soothing aftertaste.
Moreover, Shui Jin Gui is known for its silky texture that coats the mouth, making each sip a luxuriously smooth experience. The body of the tea is robust, yet it retains a graceful lightness that makes it both satisfying and easy to drink. Its complexity is revealed further with each subsequent steeping, as hidden nuances of spice and a gentle smokiness emerge, enriching the initial flavors without overwhelming them.
How to Determine the Quality of Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle) Oolong Tea?
For beginners who have never try shui jin gui tea, the following are four tips you can follow to find good-quality golden water turtle tea:
Leaf Appearance
To discern the quality of Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea, begin with a close examination of the leaf appearance. Premium Shui Jin Gui leaves are typically uniform in size and possess a robust, twisted structure, indicative of skilled handcrafting. The leaves should display a rich, dark green to brown hue, with a glossy sheen that suggests proper roasting. High-quality Shui Jin Gui will also exhibit leaves that unfurl beautifully upon steeping, revealing whole leaves rather than fragments, a sign of careful handling and processing that maintains the integrity of the tea.
Aroma Complexity
The aroma of Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea is a vital indicator of its quality. Before brewing, the dry leaves should emit a subtly sweet and floral fragrance, with hints of stone fruits and a slight earthy undertone. When infused, these aromas should intensify and harmonize without any hint of harshness or staleness. A complex, multi-layered aroma that evolves as the tea steeps is a hallmark of high-quality Shui Jin Gui, reflecting the expert oxidation and roasting processes it has undergone.
Flavor Depth and Retention
Evaluating the flavor of Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea offers direct insight into its quality. A superior Shui Jin Gui should have a well-balanced taste profile that includes a mellow sweetness, floral notes, and a distinctive minerality reflective of its terroir. The flavor should be rich and linger on the palate, with each sip revealing new subtleties. High-quality Shui Jin Gui can sustain multiple infusions, with the depth and complexity of flavor persisting through repeated steepings, diminishing gradually in a pleasing manner.
Liquor Clarity and Color
The visual quality of the tea’s liquor provides clues about its caliber. Premium Shui Jin Gui should steep to a clear, bright golden-orange color, indicative of proper processing and freshness. The liquor should not be cloudy or murky; clarity is a sign of a well-crafted tea that has been stored and handled correctly. The vibrant color and clear appearance are not just aesthetically pleasing but also signs of the tea’s vitality and quality, ensuring a delightful drinking experience
Where to Buy Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle) Oolong Tea
Indulge in the exquisite taste of our Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea, a true masterpiece from the fertile slopes of the Wuyi Mountains. Each leaf is a testament to the tradition and craftsmanship that makes this tea so special and sought-after.
1. Pristine Growing Conditions
Our Shui Jin Gui is grown in the mineral-rich soils of the Wuyi Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The unique terroir imparts a distinctive mineral note known as ‘yan yun’ or rock rhyme, which is highly prized. The natural mist and elevation of this region create ideal conditions for cultivating tea with a complex flavor profile that is both nuanced and deep.
2. Traditional Handcrafting Techniques
Each leaf of our Shui Jin Gui is handpicked and meticulously crafted using age-old techniques passed down through generations. This includes a precise withering and oxidation process that enhances the natural flavors inherent in the tea leaves. The artisans’ careful attention ensures that each batch of tea maintains the highest quality and consistency.
3. Expert Roasting
Our Shui Jin Gui undergoes a slow, careful roasting process that draws out rich, smoky flavors while retaining the tea’s natural sweetness. This balance is difficult to achieve and is a hallmark of the skill of our tea masters. The roasting not only deepens the flavor but also contributes to the tea’s lingering, pleasant aftertaste.
4. Superior Leaf Quality
We select only the finest leaves for our Shui Jin Gui. These are characterized by their robust, full bodies and rich, green-brown color. The leaves are substantial and uniform, indicating that they have been grown, harvested, and processed with exceptional care, ensuring a richer, fuller tea experience.
6 reviews for Golden Water Turtle Shui Jin Gui Rock Oolong Tea from Mount Wuyi