2023 Rou Gui from Fo Guo Yan - Zheng Yan Yancha, Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea

Rou Gui (肉桂), meaning “cassia” in Chinese, is one of the most iconic and widely appreciated Wuyi rock teas, alongside Da Hong Pao and Shui Xian. First developed during the Qing Dynasty over a century ago, Rou Gui is prized for its cultivar-specific fragrance and aging potential. Its name reflects the tea's characteristic aromatic resemblance to Chinese cinnamon (cassia), and since the 1980s, it has become well-established throughout the Wuyishan region.

This batch was harvested in spring 2023 from Fo Guo Yan (佛国岩)—a scenic and historically significant cliffside garden located within the Zheng Yan (正岩) core of Wuyishan National Park. At an elevation of 300–400 meters, the tea garden benefits from mineral-rich soil, a cliffside microclimate, and the biodiversity of this protected natural environment.

The tea was processed using traditional charcoal roasting techniques and brought to a medium-full roast level. This level of roast allows the tea to stabilize well for aging while maintaining the distinct characteristics of the Rou Gui cultivar.