Rock Tea
Rock Tea, or Wuyi Rock Tea, as the name indicates, grows in gaps of the rocky mountain area of Wuyi, Fujian. It is a representative type of oolong from Northern Fujian. The tea looks sturdy and dark, with roasted flavor, rich taste and a subtle fruity sweetness.
To many tea connoisseurs, Rock Tea hold the same esteem as Iron Goddess from Southern Fujian. Basically, rock tea is more full-bodied, while iron goddess is more fragrant.
Rock Tea (left) Iron Goddess (right)
I like to pair Canton-style mooncake with the Rock Tea, the subtle fruitiness of the tea merges well with the sweet lotus/coconut paste of mooncake, and its charcoal chocolate taste washes away excessive oil and sweetness of mooncake.
Mooncake - the moon is full, the family is all around...
Rock tea has many sub-varieties, the most famous one is the Great Red Robe. It is the first tea which being listed in the National inventory of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage".
There are only 4 bushes of the original Great Red Robe tree remaining in the cliff of Wuyi moutain, which are now under strict protection and become a tourist attraction. All other Red Robe trees in tea gardens are reproductions of the four.
Great Red Robe
Thanks to modern reproduction technique, these descendants are almost identical clones of the mother bushes, which enabled me to taste my Great Red Robe without the guilty of exploit the precious ancient bushes.
The Four - original Great Red Robe Tea
To many tea connoisseurs, Rock Tea hold the same esteem as Iron Goddess from Southern Fujian. Basically, rock tea is more full-bodied, while iron goddess is more fragrant.
Rock Tea (left) Iron Goddess (right)
I like to pair Canton-style mooncake with the Rock Tea, the subtle fruitiness of the tea merges well with the sweet lotus/coconut paste of mooncake, and its charcoal chocolate taste washes away excessive oil and sweetness of mooncake.
Mooncake - the moon is full, the family is all around...
Rock tea has many sub-varieties, the most famous one is the Great Red Robe. It is the first tea which being listed in the National inventory of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage".
There are only 4 bushes of the original Great Red Robe tree remaining in the cliff of Wuyi moutain, which are now under strict protection and become a tourist attraction. All other Red Robe trees in tea gardens are reproductions of the four.
Great Red Robe
Thanks to modern reproduction technique, these descendants are almost identical clones of the mother bushes, which enabled me to taste my Great Red Robe without the guilty of exploit the precious ancient bushes.
The Four - original Great Red Robe Tea
