Sourced from Wuyi Jiuqu Tea Factory, this authentic 2001 Shui Jin Gui rock tea comes in its original factory packaging, with a standard 100g pack. For tea lovers to experience its unique charm, we now offer a 10g tasting sample for a first sip of this aged classic.
Shui Jin Gui stands as one of the "Four Great Famous Varieties" of Wuyi rock tea, a timeless classic renowned for its elegant flavor and legendary origins. Nestled in the core "Three Gullies and Two Valleys" of Wuyi Mountain, the tea trees draw nutrients from mineral-rich rocky crevices and mountain spring water, endowing the tea with the distinctive "rock bone and floral aroma" that defines top-tier Wuyi rock tea. Its name derives from the glossy, golden-brown leaves that glisten like a golden turtle’s shell in the light, a visual hallmark of this rare variety.
This 2001 Shui Jin Gui boasts an authentic pedigree from Wuyi Jiuqu Tea Factory, a pioneering private tea enterprise founded in 1985 and a guardian of traditional Wuyi rock tea craftsmanship. The factory is home to You Yuqiong, the only female inheritor of the first batch of Dahongpao making techniques, whose expertise ensures the strict adherence to age-old methods in every step of production. Crafted in 2001, a pivotal era for the revival of traditional Wuyi rock tea processing, this tea was made using classic charcoal roasting techniques—from withering and shaking to repeated roasting and fire tuning, every process followed the time-honored wisdom of "crafting tea according to the leaf’s condition". No modern shortcuts were taken, preserving the purest traditional flavor of Wuyi rock tea from the early 21st century.
After more than two decades of proper dry storage, this tea has shed its youthful astringency and matured into a mellow masterpiece. The original factory packaging remains intact with its protective film, the inner liner dry and well-preserved; lifting the lid releases a rich blend of caramel and subtle aged notes, a unique fragrance forged by time. The dry tea leaves are tightly twisted, dark brown with a natural silvery frosted coating, dry and textured to the touch—each leaf encapsulates the sunlight, rain and artisanal care of Wuyi Mountain in 2001, a true "drinkable living fossil of tea".
The allure of aged rock tea lies in its layered, mellow taste developed through years of aging, and this 2001 Shui Jin Gui has reached its prime—"the fragrance grows purer with time, the taste richer with age". For the perfect brew, use the 10g tasting sample with a gaiwan and pour boiling water over the leaves. The liquor yields a bright amber hue, clear and translucent without any impurities. When the leaves unfurl, they reveal plump, soft blades with distinct crimson edges, a classic feature of premium Wuyi rock tea known as "green leaves with red trim".
The first sip greets the palate with a smooth, glutinous texture—no bitterness, just a harmonious fusion of delicate aged aroma and Shui Jin Gui’s signature plum blossom fragrance, lingering long and fresh in the mouth. As the brew progresses, the iconic rock rhythm emerges, blending mild mineral notes with a mellow sweetness that brings instant, lasting sweet aftertaste and constant salivation in the throat. The final infusions taste as sweet as honey, with a lingering finish; even after 7 to 8 brews, the elegant tea fragrance and subtle rock texture remain distinct. Balancing the mellow sweetness of Tieguanyin and the fresh aroma of green tea, this tea embodies the gentle, refined character of a "gentleman among teas"—the unique charm of Shui Jin Gui.
Today, authentic aged Wuyi rock tea from the early 2000s is an increasingly scarce treasure, and this 2001 Shui Jin Gui in its original Jiuqu Tea Factory packaging is a true rarity for tea connoisseurs. The standard 100g pack retains the original 2001 packaging design, with clear labels and intact film—more than just a delightful tea for daily sipping, it is a valuable collectible with great appreciation potential. Aged Wuyi rock tea typically appreciates 15% to 30% annually, making it a top choice for discerning tea collectors.
To let more tea lovers experience the magic of aged rock tea without the commitment of a full pack, Tongxinshe Teahouse specially launches the 10g tasting sample. Whether you are a seasoned tea connoisseur seeking a rare collectible or a new tea lover eager to explore the flavor of aged Wuyi rock tea, this small sample offers a precious chance to savor the authentic rock rhythm of 2001 and taste the unique gift of time.
Time speaks no words, but tea fragrance tells all. This 2001 Shui Jin Gui from Wuyi Jiuqu Tea Factory is a continuation of the legacy of Wuyi’s famous tea varieties, a testament to time-honored artisanal craftsmanship, and a sensory feast aged to perfection. Tongxinshe Teahouse is honored to present this rare aged rock tea, and we invite all tea lovers to sip the flavor of time and savor the soul of Wuyi rock tea together.