2024 Fengqing Wild Gu Shu Black Tea from Yunnan

This exceptional black tea is harvested from wild Camellia taliensis tea trees that thrive on the mountains of Fengqing County, Yunnan, at an impressive altitude of approximately 2400 meters. These tea trees, aged over 100 years, are classified as GuShu (ancient tree), a testament to their historical and ecological significance. Unlike cultivated Camellia sinensis, Camellia taliensis is a primitive tea species, naturally selected over centuries. It features distinct botanical characteristics, such as 5 locular ovaries and 5-parted stigmas, compared to the 3 of C. sinensis.

Fengqing County, renowned as the birthplace of Dian Hong black tea, holds a storied tea legacy. While Fengqing’s ancient tea trees have historically been used for raw pu-erh (sheng pu’er), black tea production began in 1939 during efforts to establish black tea exports from China. The wild tea trees in this region are unique to Yunnan, with many estimated to be hundreds or even thousands of years old. The most ancient, known as Jinxiu Chazu, is located in Fengqing and is believed to be over 3200 years old.

This tea undergoes a meticulous process to preserve its mesmerizing fragrance and vibrant characteristics. Harvested as one bud and two leaves, the leaves are withered, rolled, lightly oxidized, and baked at lower temperatures compared to traditional black teas. This approach ensures the preservation of the tea’s wild aroma, natural sweetness, and distinctive bright golden liquor. The resulting tea offers a complex and robust flavor with pronounced wild notes, a smooth texture, and a clean, lingering finish.