We don't know when or if this item will be available.
“For my second tasting note, I have chosen to review this tea which is absolutely phenomenal. First a note about steeping time. The slider on this website only goes down to 15 seconds. This is a...” Read full tasting note
“I tried this tea alongside Old Ways’s “normal” Shui Xian. I was a little bit surprised by the results. Visually, the leaves looked pretty similar, though slightly lighter in color, and I suspect...” Read full tasting note
Excellent returning sweetness. Charcoal roast is still strong and should be given more time to rest for best drinking. This Old Tree Shui Xian was grown in higher mountains in the banyan area. The farm is located in the hills above Chenduncun village (程墩村) at an elevation of 640 meters. The older trees have a greater depth of flavor.
Company description not available.
For my second tasting note, I have chosen to review this tea which is absolutely phenomenal. First a note about steeping time. The slider on this website only goes down to 15 seconds. This is a tragedy of design because you should steep this tea no longer than the time it takes to pour the water over the leaves and pour the water out of your vessel. 4-10 seconds maximum. Steeping any longer than that will dramatically affect the flavor.
As soon as the boiling water hits the leaves a deep rich aroma of tobacco, almost burnt charcoal smell invades noses chemoreceptors harder than an uppercut from Mike Tyson. Once I recover the excitement begins. a toothy smile adorns my face.
I let the tea cool before slurping it over my tongue. My taste buds sense the tobacco and charcoal flavor. A memory of bitter dark chocolate from my childhood. I am reminded Shui Xian means `Narcissus` and the beautiful flower is pictured in my mind.
I feel calm, happy, and safe. The flavor lingers in my mouth as an after taste for quite some time and I relish in it licking the roof of my mouth.
I am at peace with everything. My mind is now clean. I breathe deeply. Satisfied.
Flavors: Burnt, Narcissus, Tobacco
I tried this tea alongside Old Ways’s “normal” Shui Xian. I was a little bit surprised by the results. Visually, the leaves looked pretty similar, though slightly lighter in color, and I suspect roasting level. Aroma was dominated by roast, but I was able to pick out a bit more along with it. Floral notes, and a bit of toasty sugar, almost like creme brulee.
The flavor was harder to wrap my head around. Compared to the regular Shui Xian, the flavors were a lot more subtle. I got much more out of it when I drank it alone versus the side-by-side session I did with the two. Flavors are similar – roasty sweet in the front of the sip, but a little softer with the Old Tree. The finish was stone fruit, floral, and mineral. Very soft feeling overall if that makes any sense. This roast is skillfully done and well rested. Very smooth.
A very good tea in its own right. I wouldn’t consider it superior to the regular Shui Xian, but certainly different. A lot of that might be my relatively inexperienced yancha palate. The slightly heavier hitting flavors of the “regular” Shui Xian stood out to me a bit more, so I very slightly prefer that one. Both are good teas though.
Bottomline comparison between regular and Old Tree Shui Xian – Regular has bolder, stronger, more straightforward flavors, whereas the Old Tree is more about subtle floral notes and aromas, along with the smooth roast. Experienced yancha drinkers may get more out of the Old Tree, but both are quite tasty.
Mmm, bitter dark chocolate!