Bamboo Forest Lapsang Souchong 竹林小种 (2025)
Tea Profile
Type: Black Tea (Zhengshan Xiaozhong 正山小种 / Lapsang Souchong)
Location: Guanping Village (关坪村), Tongmuguan (桐木关), Wuyishan
Altitude: Around 1300 m
Harvest Date: May 6, 2025
Cultivar: Qizhong 齐种
Age of Tea Trees: Around 50 years
The Story of This Tea
This Zhengshan Xiaozhong originates from Guanping Village in Tongmuguan, the birthplace of the world’s first black tea. At 1300 meters above sea level, the tea gardens lie among misty peaks and bamboo groves within the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve. The 50-year-old Qizhong bushes thrive in this high-mountain ecosystem, where cool air and filtered light create an environment ideal for slow, even leaf development. The result is a tea that expresses calm refinement and a clear sense of place.
Qizhong is an old local variety less commonly seen today, known for producing teas of gentle fragrance and elegant texture. Rather than bold floral or fruity tones, it delivers a poised and understated character. Smooth, balanced, and quietly complex, with the mountain’s freshness captured in every cup.
Aroma and Flavour
This tea embodies the tranquil beauty of its high-mountain origin. Its aroma recalls bamboo leaves and cool morning mist, while the liquor reveals delicate sweetness and clarity. The body is light yet coating, leaving a refined freshness on the palate. Each infusion unfolds gracefully, showing the soft mineral touch of the Tongmu terroir.
- Aroma: Gentle bamboo leaf and light mountain florals
- Flavor: Smooth, naturally sweet, and refreshingly pure
- Texture: Soft, silky, and balanced
- Aftertaste: Lingering clarity and light returning sweetness
- Liquor: Bright golden-red, clear and lively
- Steeping Endurance: 6 to 8 infusions
Brewing Guidelines
Gong Fu Style
- Teaware: Thin-walled porcelain gaiwan to emphasise clarity, or glass teapot to appreciate colour and purity
- Ratio: 6–7 g per 100 ml water
- Water: 90–95 °C spring water
- Infusions: Rinse once, then brew 6–8 infusions, extending the time gradually
Western Style
- Teaware: Porcelain or glass teapot
- Ratio: 3–4 g per 250 ml water
- Water: 90–95 °C
- Steeping: 2–3 minutes for the first infusion, resteep 2–3 times, increasing slightly each time
Why Choose This Tea
This 2025 Qizhong Zhengshan Xiaozhong from Guanping Village represents the quiet strength of authentic Tongmu craftsmanship. Made from a traditional local cultivar at 1300 meters, it combines bamboo-like freshness with smooth sweetness and lingering clarity. Balanced, restrained, and elegantly pure, it is a beautiful reflection of Wuyishan’s high-mountain heritage and the timeless grace of true Zhengshan Xiaozhong.