Buying Guide-Tea Raw Materials

Seasonality of Oolong Tea

Oolong tea can be harvested in all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, Wuyi rock tea is only harvested in the spring. Oolong teas picked in the midday usually have the most pronounced aroma. Summer teas are mostly used in milk tea and are less common in loose leaf tea markets.

Spring teas tend to grow slower, resulting in higher levels of amino acids and tea polyphenols, with a lower ratio of phenols to amino acids. However, due to the frequent rainy weather in tea-growing areas like Fujian and Guangdong, spring teas may have less aromatic compounds than autumn or winter teas. Therefore, autumn and winter oolongs tend to have a stronger aroma. Winter oolongs, in particular, may even have a crisp, cold-like fragrance. Spring oolongs, on the other hand, tend to be richer in substances, offering a sweeter and fresher taste.

This product features three different seasonal Duck Shit Aroma teas from the same tea master in Hutou Village, Fenghuang Town. The oxidation and roasting levels are different for each, as oolong tea is all about adjusting to the leaves' conditions. Winter leaves are thinner, so oxidation and roasting are usually lighter. Try these three teas to see if you can notice the flavor differences between the seasons.

Products Included:

• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong(Spring) 20g
• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong(Autumn) 20g
• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong(Winter) 20g

Origin：Hutou Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaoan District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China

Master Blender：Lin Shupeng

Processing Time：November 20, 2024

Best Before Date：36months

Tea Variety：Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong variety

Altitude：300-400 meters

Soil Type：yellow soil

Oxidation Level： Medium oxidation (40-50%)

Roasting Level：

• Spring: Two roasts, medium fire, around 100°C (212°F)
  
• Autumn: Two roasts, medium fire, around 100°C (212°F)
  
• Winter: One roast, light fire, around 80°C (176°F)Very light roast, 70-80°C (158-176°F)

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：charcoal briquetting

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing

• Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
• Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
• Steep Time: 15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
• Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing

• Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
• Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
• Steep Time: 3-5 minutes
• Re-Steep: Up to 3 times, adding 1minutes each time

Should You Really Buy High-Altitude Tea? This Product Might Help You Decide

High-altitude tea is grown in regions with big temperature differences between day and night, cooler temperatures, and frequent cloud cover. These conditions slow down the tea’s growth, keeping the leaves tender and rich in amino acids. This results in teas that are naturally sweeter, fresher, and more aromatic. High-altitude teas are perfect for light to medium oxidation and roasting levels. Examples of high-altitude oolongs include Taiwan High Mountain Tea and Phoenix Dan Cong.

Low-altitude teas, on the other hand, generally have higher levels of tea polyphenols, but tend to have a weaker aroma and lower endurance for multiple infusions.
This product features three Duck Shit Oolong teas, all crafted by the same tea master in Fenghuang Town with similar oxidation and roasting levels. The only difference is the altitude where they were grown, making it easy to compare how altitude affects the tea's flavor.

Products Included:

• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong (Low-Mountain) 20g
• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong (Medium-Mountain) 20g
• Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit) Dan Cong Oolong (High-Mountain) 20g

Origin：

• Lower Hill:Hutou Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
• Middle Mountain:Fengxi Reservoir, Fenghuang Town, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
• High Mountain:Dongjiao Village,Fenghuang Town,Chaoan District,Chaozhou City,Guangdong Province,China

Master Blender：Lin zhiqiang

Processing Time：June 2023

Best Before Date：36 months

 Tea Variety：Ya Shi Xiang variety

Altitude：

• Low-Mountain：300-400 meters
• Medium-Mountain：600 meters
• High-Mountain：800-900 meters

Soil Type： yellow soil

Oxidation Level：30-40%

Roasting Level：

• Low-Mountain：Two roasts, medium-light fire (95-105°C / 203-221°F)
  1st roast: June-July 2023，2nd roast: After Mid-Autumn Festival 2023
• Medium-Mountain：Two roasts, medium-light fire (95-105°C / 203-221°F)
• High-Mountain： Three roasts, medium-light fire (95-105°C / 203-221°F)，1st roast: June-July 2022，2nd roast: After Mid-Autumn Festival 2022，3rd roast: After Chinese New Year 2023

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：charcoal briquetting

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
Steep Time: 10-15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
Water Temp: 190-200°F (88-93°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
Steep Time: 3-5 minutes
Re-Steep: Up to 3 times, adding 1-2 minutes each time

Maybe You’re Not a Fan of Aged Tea Trees

In both Pu-erh and oolong tea, the age of the tea tree matters. Generally, older trees are rarer, which drives up their price. The age of the trees is most significant in certain oolong varieties, like Shui Xian (including Phoenix Shui Xian, Wuyi Shui Xian, and Minbei Shui Xian).

Typically, younger tea trees contain higher levels of amino acids but lower levels of tea polyphenols and minerals. This results in teas that are sweeter and fresher, but with a lighter, less complex flavor. These teas tend to have more floral notes and are best suited for light fermentation and roasting processes.

On the other hand, older tea trees tend to have higher levels of tea polyphenols, fiber, sugars, and minerals. They’re not as restricted by processing techniques, and the resulting teas are often richer, with more prominent sweetness, a longer-lasting aftertaste, and better endurance for multiple infusions.

This product features Phoenix Shui Xian and Wuyi Shui Xian from the same origin, made with similar processes but from different-aged trees. It’s a great way to compare how tree age influences the flavor of oolong tea.

Products Included:

• Fenghuang Shuixian(Under 30 Years)
• Fenghuang Shuixian(30-70 Years)
• Fenghuang Shuixian(Over 70 Years)
• Wuyi Shuixian (Under 30 Years)
• Wuyi Shuixian (30-70 Years)
• Wuyi Shuixian (Over 70 Years)

Origin：

• Fenghuang Shuixian(Under 30 Years):Shenming Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaoan District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
• Fenghuang Shuixian(30-70 Years):Daping Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaoan District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China
• Fenghuang Shuixian(Over 70 Years):Gezaiwei, Wudong Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaoan District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China.
• Wuyi Shuixian (Under 30 Years):Jingshui Village, Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China
• Wuyi Shuixian (30-70 Years):Daan Village, Yangzhuang Township, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province
• Wuyi Shuixian (Over 70 Years):Tianxin Village, Wuyi Township, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province

Master Blender：

• Fenghuang Shuixian:Lin Jizhong,林纪中
• Wuyi Shuixian:Chen hui,陈辉

Processing Time：

• Fenghuang Shuixian:Early May 2023
• Wuyi Shuixian:May 2024

Best Before Date：

• 36months

Tea Variety：

• Fenghuang Shuixian variety
• Wuyi Shuixiann variety

Altitude：

• Fenghuang Shuixian(Under 30 Years):760 meters 
• Fenghuang Shuixian(30-70 Years):800-90 meters 
• Fenghuang Shuixian(Over 70 Years):1150 meters 
• Wuyi Shuixian (Under 30 Years):400 meters
• Wuyi Shuixian (30-70 Years):800-900 meters
• Wuyi Shuixian (Over 70 Years):500 meters

Soil Type：

• Fenghuang Shuixian:yellow soil
• Wuyi Shuixian:gravelly soil

Oxidation Level：

•  Medium oxidation (40-50%)

Roasting Level：

• Under 30 Years (Option 1): Three roasts, medium-heavy fire (110-115°C / 230-239°F)
• 30-70 Years (Option 1): Three roasts, medium-heavy fire (110-115°C / 230-239°F)
• Over 70 Years (Option 1): Three roasts, medium fire (110-115°C / 230-239°F)
• Under 30 Years (Option 2): Two roasts, heavy fire (110-115°C / 230-239°F)
• 30-70 Years (Option 2): Three roasts, light fire (95-105°C / 203-221°F)
• Over 70 Years (Option 2): Light fire, 95-105°C (203-221°F)
• (Light Fire ~ 80°C, Medium Fire ~ 100°C, Heavy Fire ~ 120°C)

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：

• charcoal briquetting 

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
Steep Time: 10-15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
Water Temp: 100°C (212°F)

Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
Steep Time: 3minutes
Re-Steep: 3 times, adding 1minutes each time

Soil Environment

In The Classic of Tea by Lu Yu, it’s mentioned that tea trees grow best in different types of soils: “the best grow in rotten rocks, the middle in gravelly soil, and the worst in yellow earth.” Soil with rocks provides good drainage and airflow, preventing both waterlogging in heavy rain and dryness during droughts. It’s rich in minerals, and tea trees thrive in soil that’s both moist and acidic. For example, the finest Wuyi rock teas grow in soil made up of rotten rocks and gravel. On the other hand, lower-grade Wuyi teas, which mainly grow in yellow earth, lack the signature rocky flavor and have simpler, less complex aromas and tastes.

If you want to experience how different soil types affect the flavor of oolong tea, the best example would be a collection of Wuyi Rock Teas from various environments. This includes:

Core Zhengyan Wuyi Tea: Known for its rocky, gravelly soil, represented by the famous Three Pits and Two Streams (San Keng Liang Jian).
Wuyi Zhengyan Tea: Grown in soils rich in sandy gravel rocks.
Wuyi Ban Yan Tea: Grown in thicker layers of rocky red soil.
Wuyi Zhou Tea: Grown in soils dominated by loess (yellow earth).

Products Included:

• Core Zhengyan Wuyi Tea（Core Zheng Yan）10g
• Wuyi Rou Gui (Zheng Yan) 10g
• Wuyi Rou Gui (Ban yan Tea) 20g
• Wuyi Rou Gui (Zhou Cha) 20g

Origin：

• Core Zheng Yan：Wuyuan Jian, Tianxin Village, Wuyi Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province
• Zheng Yan：Tianxin Village, Wuyi Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province
• Ban yan Tea：Jingshui Village, Xingcun Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China
• Zhou Cha：Xingtian Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China

Master Blender：

• Chen Hui

Processing Time：

• October 2024

Best Before Date：

• 36 months

Tea Variety：

• Wuyi Cinnamon Varieties

Altitude：

• Core Zheng Yan：342 meters
• Zheng Yan：400-500 meters
• Ban yan Tea：about 400 meters
• Zhou Cha： about 200 meters

Soil Type：

• Core Zheng Yan：Gravel Soil
• Zheng Yan：sandy gravelly soil
• Ban yan Tea：red soil dominated by thickly bedded rock
• Zhou Cha： yellow soil

Oxidation Level：Medium oxidation (45-55%)

Roasting Level：

• Core Zheng Yan：Three roasts, heavy fire, 105-110°C (221-230°F)
• Zheng Yan：Three roasts, heavy fire, 105-110°C (221-230°F)
• Ban yan Tea：Three roasts, heavy fire, 105-110°C (221-230°F)
• Zhou Cha：  Two roasts, medium-heavy fire, around 115°C (239°F)

Roasting Method (Charcoal or Electric)：

• charcoal briquetting 

Brewing Recommendations：

Chinese-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Gaiwan or clay teapot
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1g per 0.7 oz (20ml)
Steep Time: 15 sec (1-3 steeps), add 5-10 sec after
Re-Steep: Up to 7 times

Western-Style Oolong Brewing
Teaware: Teapot, infuser, or French press
Water Temp: 212°F (100°C)
Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 tsp (2-3g) per 8 oz (240ml)
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Re-Steep: 3 times, adding 1 minutes each time