The old ginger is always spicier — this old saying perfectly defines our Jin Jiaoyi old tree Rougui, named Lao Jiang. The name holds two profound meanings: first, these tea bushes are the original old trees planted on Jin Jiaoyi back in the 1990s, rooted in the mountains for decades with profound heritage. Second, its distinct, mellow spicy cinnamon note is restrained yet lingering, just like aged ginger: mild yet powerful, with its true character hidden deep within, hence the name Lao Jiang.
All seasoned rock tea lovers know the Three Ravines and Two Streams form the soul of genuine Zhengyan growing zones, and Jin Jiaoyi is an iconic hidden gem within the Niulankeng area. Nestled at the heart of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, Niulankeng sits between Zhangtang Stream and Jiulong Nest. A stone tablet engraved with “Tianxin” stands at the ravine entrance. Starting from the Wind & Rain Pavilion and winding uphill, steep cliffs stretch on both sides. The left ridge features Jin Jiaoyi, Duge Village and Baoguo Rock, facing Man Peaks, Big Dipper Rock and Tianxin Rock on the opposite side, sharing the ravine’s unparalleled natural ecosystem.
Jin Jiaoyi takes its name from its mountain shape, which resembles an ancient grand master’s armchair. Located at the divide between Dakeng Entrance and Niulankeng, it falls within the broader Niulankeng core zone, also known among tea artisans as “Cinnamon on the Ox’s Back”. The cliffside soil here is loose and rich, covered with Danxia weathered rubble rock abundant in natural minerals. Unlike the shaded, humid ravine bottom where leaves grow plump, tender and soft with limited sunlight, the cliffside of Jin Jiaoyi receives ample sunshine all year round, crafting a totally distinct tea character. While constant stream moisture nurtures mild, lush foliage down in the gully, the sun-drenched old trees on Jin Jiaoyi produce tea with bright, vivid aroma and rich yet delicate liquor. The rugged Danxia rock texture blends harmoniously with the gentle ravine mist, creating a balanced, one-of-a-kind flavor profile of strength and softness.
The Rougui we call Lao Jiang comes from the original batch of old trees planted on Jin Jiaoyi in the 1990s, recognized as master-tier raw material of this terroir. For decades, their roots dig deep into weathered rock fissures, drawing constant mineral nutrients from the mountains, granting them far richer natural complexity than young tea bushes. Adopting the traditional slow charcoal roasting craft, we fully unlock the layered essence accumulated over decades within these old trees. Decades of sunlight, rain and mountain mineral spirit are all condensed into the dry tea leaves, forming an exclusive rock soul and mountain charm unique to this land.
Most cliff-grown Rougui on the market carry harsh, sharp spiciness that hits hard on first sip with an overbearing sharpness. Lao Jiang is entirely different. Decades of growth soften its harsh bite, leaving behind a calm, dignified presence. Its full, rich cinnamon fragrance sinks deep into the tea liquor instead of floating superficially. Upon sipping, you taste a gentle, lasting ginger-like spiciness, mild yet full of force. The liquor is smooth and velvety. After swallowing, a warm rock terroir glow unfolds slowly in your throat, finished with the subtle cool woody aroma exclusive to ancient tea trees, delivering multi-layered, long-lasting aftertaste.
This tea is packed in an upscale solid wood gift box with individually sealed mini sachets. Each sachet weighs 8.3 grams, with 30 sachets per box for a total net weight of 250 grams.
A single brew of Lao Jiang lets you taste not only the unparalleled Zhengyan terroir of Jin Jiaoyi, but also the decades of time settled within these 1990s old trees. Bold cinnamon aroma carries unyielding character, while mellow spicy notes reveal quiet composure. For connoisseurs of rock tea who favor the rich, aged charm of ancient tea bushes, this Lao Jiang holds an irreplaceable master temperament waiting to be discovered.