Shui Jin Gui - Water Turtle - 水金龟 (2025)
Tea Profile
Type: Wuyi Yancha (Rock Oolong)
Location: Lian Hua Peak (莲花峰), Wuyishan, Fujian
Altitude: Around 600 m
Harvest Date: May 10, 2025
Cultivar: Shui Jin Gui 水金龟 (Water Turtle)
Age of Tea Bushes: Around 50 years
Roasting Level: Medium roast
The Story of This Tea
Our 2025 Shui Jin Gui, known as “Water Turtle,” is one of the famous Si Da Ming Cong (Four Great Cultivars) of Wuyi Rock Tea. This batch was grown on the steep cliffs of Lian Hua Peak, one of the core Zhengyan terroir zones within Wuyishan National Park. The tea bushes, around fifty years old, sink their roots into the mineral-rich rock, drawing up the unique essence that defines true cliff tea. Each leaf reflects the balance of nature and craftsmanship, yielding a soft, sweet liquor that captures the soul of authentic Wuyi Yancha.
Aroma and Flavour
Shui Jin Gui is celebrated for its gentle fruitiness and graceful structure. The 2025 harvest opens with floral and peach-like notes from the dry leaf, leading into a liquor that is round, smooth, and naturally sweet. Layers of ripe white peach, apricot, and baked apple peel unfold with every sip, followed by a refined mineral finish. Compared to more robust cultivars like Tie Luo Han or Rou Gui, this tea is delicately balanced. A beautiful introduction to Wuyi Rock Tea for newcomers, and a subtle delight for seasoned drinkers.
- Aroma: Floral, peachy, and lightly roasted
- Flavor: Sweet, smooth, and fruity with white peach, apricot, and gentle minerality
- Texture: Round and silky with a soft body
- Aftertaste: Lingering sweetness reminiscent of dried fig and apple peel
- Steeping Endurance: 7 to 9 infusions
Brewing Guidelines
Gong Fu Style
- Teaware: Zhuni 朱泥 or Duanni 段泥 Yixing teapot, or porcelain gaiwan
- Ratio: 6–7 g per 100–120 ml water
- Water: 100 °C, ideally low-TDS spring water
- Infusions: Rinse once, then flash steep for the first 3–4 rounds; add 10–15 seconds for later infusions
Western Style
- Teaware: Porcelain or glazed ceramic teapot, or infuser mug
- Ratio: 2.5–3 g per 250 ml water
- Water: 95–100 °C
- Steeping: 1½–2 minutes for the first infusion; increase slightly with each resteep
Why Choose This Tea
Shui Jin Gui is often overshadowed by its famous counterparts Da Hong Pao and Tie Luo Han, yet it offers an elegance and approachability that few teas can match. This 2025 harvest from Lian Hua Peak showcases traditional mid-level roasting that highlights the cultivar’s natural floral and fruit notes while maintaining the depth and texture of classic Wuyi Rock Tea. Perfect for those looking to buy authentic Wuyi Yancha online and enjoy a smoother, fragrant expression of the cliffs of Wuyishan.