Premium Xi Yan Oolong combining Dancong fragrance with Wuyi-style strength 2025 100g

Xi Yan Oolong | The Wild Backbone of Guangdong Oolong

A bold, floral, and mineral-rich oolong from the rocky slopes of Meizhou—combining Dancong fragrance with Wuyi-style strength.

Xi Yan Oolong is one of the most powerful and characterful oolongs in the Guangdong tea family. Grown in the remote mountain village of Xiyan in Meizhou, this tea delivers the floral lift of Phoenix Dancong along with the grounded body and minerality of Wuyi rock tea.

If Dancong is the perfume, and Lingtou is the dessert—Xi Yan is the mountain.

Tea Details

• Cultivars: Local group varietals (mainly Shui Xian, Mei Zhan)

• Harvest: Spring 2025

• Origin: Xiyan Village, Fenglang Township, Meizhou, Guangdong, China

• Elevation: 500–700m

• Tree Age: 50+ years

• Roasting: Heavy charcoal roasting (charcoal briquetting)

A Tea with Deep Roots in History

The Xiyan region has been cultivating tea since the Tang dynasty, and rose to fame in the Qing dynasty, when monks from the local Xizhu Temple cultivated high-mountain teas that were shipped across Southeast Asia as tribute tea.

Modern Xi Yan Oolong is made mostly from old group-varietal bushes (such as Shui Xian and Mei Zhan), many over 50 years old, growing between 500–700m. Since the 1960s, these high-altitude gardens have been known for a distinct “rock rhyme”—a deep, slightly spicy minerality that sets it apart from the sweeter, lighter oolongs of Chaozhou.

Processing: Heavier Roast, Deeper Flavor

• Heavy withering + strong leaf shaking (yao qing)

• Thick stems preserved for body and sweetness

• Deep charcoal roasting (heaviest in Guangdong)

Compared to other Guangdong oolongs:

• Xi Yan: rich, roasted, and structured (suitable for aging)

• Phoenix Dancong: high fragrance, lighter body

• Lingtou Dancong: soft, sweet, everyday drinker

“Rocky on the outside, floral at the core.”

Flavor Profile: Earth, Fruit, and Florals

• Aroma: deep floral notes with subtle stone fruit

• Taste: thick and warming, with hints of baked plum, roasted almond, and a cooling mineral aftertaste

• Body: full and grounded, with a subtle honey edge

This is a tea that speaks slowly and confidently. It's not about quick aromas—it’s about structure, patience, and wild depth.

Who Should Try This Tea?

• Fans of Wuyi rock tea (Yancha) looking to explore Guangdong’s version of “rock energy”

• Dancong lovers wanting something darker, deeper, and more aging-friendly

• Tea drinkers who value mineral-rich, grounding flavors

• Those looking for a “serious” daily tea with excellent re-steeping value

Brewing Recommendations

Gongfu Style (recommended):

• 5g per 100 gaiwan

• 95–100°C (203–212°F) water

• Rinse quickly, then infuse 6–8+ times

• Start with 10–15 seconds, increase gradually

Western Brewing:

• 2g per 200ml

• Steep for 1-3 minutes at 95-100°C

• Re-steep up to 3 times