In the Wuyi rock tea circle, there's a saying: "Every household shows off aged tea." Rock tea stored for one year is already a favorite among tea lovers, yet only true connoisseurs appreciate the charm of premium Zheng Yan tea aged for over six years. Today, Tongxin She Teahouse presents this gift from time – the 2018 Huiyuan Keng Luxiu Old Arbor Shui Xian, carefully selected from Wuyi Mountain Changke Tea Co., Ltd. and naturally aged for six years without re-roasting, allowing time to quietly precipitate unique grace and charm in the tea liquor.
As a prominent tea producer in Huiyuan Keng, Changke Tea has rooted in this core Zheng Yan production area for generations, deeply understanding the symbiosis between mountain terroir and craftsmanship. Upholding traditions, they guard the natural flavor of each tea tree with artisan dedication, especially excelling in the cultivation and production of Luxiu's old arbor Shui Xian. Their teas, celebrated for pure terroir characteristics and rich liquor texture, have long been coveted collectibles among seasoned tea lovers. Nestled deep within Huiyuan Keng, Luxiu lies at the back of Zhangtang Rock and northwest of Qiaoyan – a jewel in the "Three Caves and Two Valleys". With towering mountains, deep valleys, dense vegetation, gurgling streams, and leisurely birds and pheasants, every inch of this land is infused with the vitality of Wuyi's mountains and rivers, creating an unparalleled ecological environment for old arbor Shui Xian.
The Shui Xian tea trees here have witnessed 80 years of mountain time, their unpruned branches stretching freely, covered in lush moss, thriving in harmony with the valley's flora and fauna while absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. The fresh leaves picked in 2018, crafted through traditional medium-to-high fire processing, entered Tongxin She's professional storage. For six years, we adhered to natural aging principles, allowing the tea to slowly transform in a dry, well-ventilated environment – preserving the rock foundation of Zheng Yan tea while developing a warm, mellow aged fragrance bestowed by time.
Opening the tin can, the dry tea emits a restrained yet steady aroma – not as bold as young tea, but rich with the depth of years. Pouring boiling water, the tea fragrance gently merges into the liquor. The orange-bright tea liquor glides smoothly over the tongue; there's no immediate shock of flavor, only a rich, non-astringent warmth wrapping the palate. On the aftertaste, the rock's mineral essence, floral notes, and the old arbor's unique woody and mossy aromas interweave layer by layer, with a lingering throat rhyme, comfortable sweetness, and rapid salivation. Such is the charm of aged tea: time fades impetuosity, leaving behind introverted connotation and depth. Each sip feels like conversing with an elderly sage of the mountains, who recounts 80 years of landscape stories and six years of aging.
The aging of rock tea is a covenant between humans and time. This 2018 old arbor Shui Xian, through natural aging, has lost the dryness of fire processing, its liquor becoming increasingly smooth and mellow, with the arbor charm and rock rhyme blending harmoniously. It is not only a favorite among veteran tea drinkers but also perfect for anyone willing to slow down and savor time. Today, Tongxin She shares this treasure – hoping to celebrate the taste of years with fellow tea lovers, and looking forward to it continuing to mature in more collections, evolving with each passing year, blooming with new aromas.
Good tea is hard to find, and tea fate is rare. This old arbor Shui Xian, embodying the vitality of Huiyuan Keng Luxiu's secret realm, the artisan spirit of Changke Tea, and six years of time's refinement, may be the long-sought treasure in your heart. Why not collect a tin, let time continue to sculpt it, and reopen it one day to experience the endless possibilities bestowed by years.