Within the rugged charm of Wuyi Mountain lies the myriad expressions of tea. Its ecosystem generously embraces diversity, and when it comes to tea, this abundance is beautifully reflected in the over 70 renowned tea varieties meticulously documented in The Record of Wuyi Rock Tea Varieties. The age-old saying, "Every cliff has tea, no cliff is without tea," perfectly captures this richness.
Yet today, as cinnamon and narcissus teas dominate the market, many tea gardens have been renovated to follow this trend. Numerous tea varieties that once thrived among the rocks have gradually become elusive legends. Want to casually order a niche variety for a leisurely taste? It’s long been no easy feat.
That’s precisely why Tongxinshe Teahouse’s first presale of rare rock tea in 2025 is proud to present this "Golden Key" – a precious Wuyi treasure that has been carefully preserved.
The Rare Charm Hidden in Yuhua Cave
Golden Key, also known as Golden Lock Key, ranks among the top ten rare varieties of Wuyi Mountain, with a unique character etched into tea history. Its aroma is inherently delightful – not a thin,张扬 display, but a mellow sweetness with the depth of ripe fruit, lifted yet温润. Its taste is the sweetness and richness born from the rock’s essence; as you swallow, your throat tingles with moisture, and the aftertaste is filled with the clarity of its terroir.
Unfortunately, such a wonderful flavor has become a "minority" due to market trends: its yield is scarce, and the rate of producing high-quality tea is extremely low, making it rarely seen on ordinary tea tables. It wasn’t until 2025 that Gao Peng, after traversing the rock regions, found this small batch of tea trees in Yuhua Cave, the core of the authentic rock tea-producing area.
Yuhua Cave, one of the seventy-two caves in Wuyi Mountain, nestles between Qingshi Rock and Mituo Rock, a little-known secret in the authentic rock tea region. Nearly 100-meter-high rock layers enclose a spacious cave, with a trickling stream on the side that flows year-round. It not only nourishes the tea tree roots but also weaves a温润 microclimate – every tea leaf here is saturated with the blend of rock charm and moisture, carrying an inherent "cave-stored" freshness.
Craftsmanship in Small Batches, Every Infusion a Delight
When it comes to such rare varieties, no care is too much in production. Small-batch, meticulous craftsmanship follows the traditional method of secondary roasting with medium fire: no hurry, no rush, slowly roasting the fire to perfection, allowing the tea aroma and rock charm to settle over time. The resulting dry tea has tight, lock-like条索, with a greenish hue tinged with brownish luster, as if holding the stories of its terroir.
The moment boiling water is poured in, lifting the lid is a feast for the senses – the aroma of ripe fruit mixed with the sweetness of rock charm is not a fleeting, empty scent, but something solid that sinks into the tea soup. Truly fine rock tea is not just about "smelling good"; more importantly, the aroma "comes through in the taste": as the tea enters your mouth, its sweetness and richness reach straight to your throat, with a rich floral and fruity aroma wrapped in distinct rock charm, unfolding layer by layer on your tongue.
What’s remarkable is its approachability: the bitterness is extremely faint, while the smoothness is high, with a quick and intense aftertaste. Even those new to rock tea can easily fall in love with this warmth. What’s more wonderful is the change in each infusion: from the freshness of the first brew, to the richness of the middle infusions, to the sweetness of the final ones, the sweetness remains consistent across more than ten infusions, like a slowly unfolding taste painting.
The value of a renowned variety lies not just in "being recorded in books." It deserves to bloom on the tongue, letting more people know: beyond cinnamon and narcissus, Wuyi Mountain’s tea has such rare flavors.
The 2025 presale of "Golden Key" at Tongxinshe Teahouse has begun. This rock tea charm hidden in Yuhua Cave awaits your discovery.