2023 Huang Mei Gui Yancha - Zheng Yan Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea

Huang Mei Gui (黄玫瑰), meaning "Yellow Rose," is a relatively new yet highly prized cultivar in the Wuyi rock tea family. Developed by the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences through cross-breeding Huang Guan Yin and Huang Dan between 1986 and 1999, it was officially recognized as a national tea variety in 2010. Its unique floral fragrance, especially its signature rose-like aroma, sets it apart from other Wuyi rock teas.

This Huang Mei Gui rock tea is charcoal-baked to a medium roast, giving the tea depth and a full-bodied texture. Once steeped, its liquor reveals a bright orange-yellow color, and the aroma captivates with its long-lasting, delicate rose fragrance. The flavor is rich and smooth, with a sweet, lingering aftertaste that stimulates the palate and leaves a refreshing sensation.

Its distinct floral fragrance remains prominent even after multiple infusions, with layers of complexity emerging in both aroma and taste. The balanced roasting process enhances the natural sweetness and floral notes without overpowering its elegance, resulting in a harmonious blend of strong, sweet flavors with a lasting floral fragrance.

Grown in the Yan Zi Ke (Swallow Nest) Ecological Tea Garden within the Wuyishan National Park, this tea benefits from the region’s mild climate, abundant rainfall, and mineral-rich soil. While the elevation within the Zheng Yan area is relatively low, it is the unique terroir and distinctive rocky terrain of the Wuyi Mountains that impart the tea's rich depth, known as "rock bones."