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"Golden Turtle" Shui Jin Gui Wuyi Oolong Tea

$51.00

DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, THIS TEA IS SOLD OUT

A disciple asked the wise, and very old, tea master Lao Cha, of his secret to longevity. 

Golden Water Turtle — he answered, offering a small cup of tea.

Puzzled, the disciple took a sip. The unique Yan Yun, the minerals, the notes of heart-warming chocolate, and the sweet roasted taste... all enveloped his body and soul. The disciple had no further questions. 

 

The Wuyi Mountain region is a place of 39 peaks, 99 valleys, and a river with nine bends. Though not incredibly high, fog and mist always shroud the mountain peaks. The moisture gets accumulated on the rocky sides of the mountains. It then flows down these rocks to the roots of the tea plants, enriching them with minerals and creating the unique Yan Yun (岩韵 – "rock rhyme") taste, for which "Golden Water Turtle" Shui Jin Gui Oolong Tea is famous.

 



Golden Water Turtle, otherwise known as Shui Jin Gui, is a famous Wuyi Oolong tea, one of the "four big and famous bushes" among the Northern Fujian teas - the other three are Da Hong Pao, Tie Luo Han, and Bai Ji Guan. This Cliff Tea is roasted three times over a traditional wood charcoal fire, and the result is an incredibly smooth yancha with a medium roast. Gently submerge it in boiling water for a translucent, orange-red tea soup with an unexpectedly sweet and mellow taste, unlike other medium roasted Fujian oolongs. Peach, exotic flowers, and dark chocolate gently swirl around the palate, gradually revealing woody and frankincense core notes in a taste that's comforting and refreshing at the same time. The Fujian oolongs are very enduring - choose a high-quality one, and you can get an effortless dozen of brews, gongfu style, making your way through a kaleidoscope of flavors, as they gradually evolve and transform with each subsequent brew.


The legend of the Golden Water Turtle dates way back when Wuyi mountain dwellers lived high on the slopes, cultivating delicious tea bushes. One day a strong storm washed down the tea bushes, along with clay and rocks, onto another farmland. Once the storm passed, the tea bush growing from the mud resembled a swimming longevity turtle, hence the Water Turtle name. Today, only three original tea bushes remain. While these bushes are subject to strict protective measures, and no one can harvest their tea leaves, our Shui Jin Gui is descending from them.


The prime Wuyi Shan area, Zheng Yan, where this tea is from, is a National Reserve. The use of pesticides is prohibited. Naturally, the tea coming from the region is organic. After harvest, the Wuyi yancha goes through an intricate and prolonged harvesting process, where the tea farmers must be fully present and alert to create a perfectly balanced tea.

 

Place of Origin: Liang Hua peak (Zheng Yan), Fujian Province, China
• Altitude: 600m 
Harvest date: May 2020 (vintage)
Picking Standard: Three leaves
• Roast: Medium. Charcoal roasted
Aroma: Roasted & Floral
Taste: Sweet and fruity with mineral notes, transforming with each infusion; long-lasting mouthwatering finish.
Cultivar: Shui Jin Gui

 


Brewing guidelines:

            212℉ / 100℃ 

     1g per 50ml   3-5min

          1g per 20ml   10sec + 5sec for each subsequent infusion

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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Steven
Shape Shifter Update

I was interested to read others’ insightful responses to this tea. I brewed 6mg to 175ml at 212F in glass. So this brewing was twice the tea amount and hotter than my original review. I did a long rinse, almost 20 seconds to reduce caffeine, then brewed for 30 seconds with 5 consecutive brews adding 30 seconds each time. This was a much more enjoyable way to brew this tea as it got me closer to its true character. The caramel, dried stone fruits, and an exotic wood aroma close to cedar was really an exciting blend. The sweet flavors of stone fruit caramel mixed with minerality were more prominent. I expected some bitterness and astringency at this heat and tea concentration, but the brew was clean and well balance with only a pleasantly mild astringency in the finish. I used the remaining leaves to make an overnight cold brew. This made an outstanding iced tea and it still had some kick in it.

S
Steven
Complex Shape Shifter

I brewed this tea in a ceramic pot 3grams to 175ml at 195F. First brew was 2mins then 2:30, 3, 3:30 and 4mins. Though fundamentally fruity, rocky and slightly smoky and sweet, the nuances of flavor made it hard to pin down. It changes a lot as brewings evolve. I experienced a consistent leathery flavor quality that on my palate went well with the minerality and roasted somethings, fruits, cacao maybe. The brew is complex in flavor and aroma, but smooth and refreshing in the long and strong mineral finish. The mouth feel of the minerals kept me sipping at a good clip, chasing it just to experience it again. This is an energizing tea if enjoyed in several consecutive pots. The complexity and forward aromas could make this a challenging brew for those with no acquired taste for roasted oolong with residual smokiness. I like it a lot and will make room for it in my mid afternoon sessions.

M
Manueljensa
Pleasant Dream.

Well well well, thats a real treasure from the Secret Path of Cha. Every sip u have Rocky Mountains all around, only once i had the chance to find a similar mellow and mineral roasted tea …i was surprised as each leaves is highly selected, and is a thumb up for Misha and his team that pay sonmuch attention to shipping procedures, being careful and all details. Thanks 🙏

D
Dan G
Zesty!

The dry leaves have an incredible fruity aroma, and the liquor has an indescribable zesty bite. Kind of like a ginger or cedar, but with a more floral character. Very unique tea with lots of flavor. Highly recommend!

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Molly
Love this Golden Turtle!

Another winner from Path of Cha. Very good, balanced minerality and what seemed to me to be deep, caramel notes. Highly recommend!