Modern tea studies commonly classify Oolong tea into Fujian(North Fujian Oolong and South Fujian Oolong), Guang Dong Oolong and Taiwan Oolong.
South Fujian Oolong tea is lightly oxidized, mainly produced in south Fujian counties, such as Anxi, Yongchun, Nanan, Pinghe, Huaan, etc. Anxi Oolong is the best known.
Anxi has been a large tea-producing area since ancient times, especially well-known for asexual tea reproduction (reproduction through cutting, layering, etc.). Before the Ming Dynasty, China’s tea trees were grown from seeds. During Chongzhen’s reign (Ming Dynasty), tea farmers in Anxi invented asexual reproduction (layering the whole plant to reproduce tea trees of the same breed), which was widely adopted later.
Smelling as fresh as green tea, Anxi tea endures repeated infusions, and is characterized by natural flowery fragrance and black tea’s strong and mellow taste, with a lingering aftertaste. To retain the flowery fragrance for a longer period, the tea leaves are oxidized and lightly baked. The tightly curled emerald-colored “grain-shaped” leaves are very different from Wuyi Yan Cha.
Anxi tea has a variety of breeds, including the most popular “Four Elites”. Tie Guan Yin, Huangjingui, Benshan and Maoxie, together with Meizhan, Qilan and Large Leaf Oolong, each unique on its own, Tie Kuan Yin is the most popular.
Tie Guan Yin (Tie Kuan Yin)
Made from the tender leaves of the Tie Guan Yin trees, it is the king among Anxi teas. The name Tie Guan Yin refers to both the tree and the tea. Anxi Tie Guan Yin is said to have been discovered in Xiping Town, Anxi, during the Qing Dynasty.
The falvor is strong and enduring, with the fragrance of flowers and fruits. According to recent studies, Anxi Tie Guan Yin contains various aromas. The clear and golden tea liquid has a strong and mellow taste, with a sweet aftertaste and lingering fragrance. The steeped leaves are thick and as bright as silk. Tie Guan Yin’s unique fragrance fills the room as soon as you lift the cover of the teapot.
Huangjingui
Huangjingui is mad from the tender leaves of Huangdan tea trees. Therefore, crude tea leaves are called Huangdan in the production area. Huangjingui is among the best Anxi teas. It grows in Luoyan area of Anxi Gounty. It is reproduced through asexual methods. Huangjingui derives its name from its golden (Huangjin) tea liquid and because of its taste of the osmanthus (gui).
The tea leaves are bright yellow, compact , soft and thin with a yellowishgreen center and red edge. The tea liquid is mellow, with the fresh fragrance of the osmanthus.
Benshan
Originally growing in Xiping Town of Anxi, Benshan is a “close relative” of Tie Kuan Yin, sharing its good quality. However, it is taller and easily adapts to environmental changes.
The yellowish-green leaves are strong and heavy, striped light green and edged red, similar to Tie Guan Yin in quality but without its unique charm. The orange tea liquid has an orchid-like aroma, mellow taste and light and sweet aftertaste.
Maoxie
Originally growing at Daping County of Anxi, Maoxie adapts well to environmental changes. It is easy to cultivate. The yield is high.
The dark green dry tea leaves are compact, curly, spiral, with sharp ends. The tips of the tender tea leaves are covered with white hair, giving the tea its name Maoxie (hairy crab). The hair is easy to brush off. After infusion, the tea liquid turns bluish-yellow or golden, with a strong orchid-like fragrance, tasting light and mellow.
Besides Anxi tea, there are many other precious South Fujian Oolong Teas.
Yongchun Buddha Hand (Yongchun Foshou)
Buddha Hand tea leaves look like the hand of Buddha. Among all the Buddha Hand teas, the one produced in Yongchun is the best. It is made from the tender leaves of Buddha Hand tea trees growing on the mountains at an altitude of 600-900 meters. Sukeng and Yudou in Yongchun are the two villages producing most of Yongchun Buddha Han tea. Because of its low yield, Yongchun Buddha Hand tea is very precisous.
Buddha Hand tea trees can be divided into red sprouts and green sprouts based on the color of the spring sprouts. The red sprout is of superior quality. Buddha Hand tea leaves could be as large as human hands. Buddha Hand tea is very popular in Fujian, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, and Southeast Asia.
The dry oyster-looking leaves are compact, thick, heavy and curly. The tea leaves are of dark green color. The tea has a rich fragrance, tastes strong and mellow. It can endure many infusions. The tea liquid is clear orange in color. During tea processing, the bergamot or citron fragrance fills the room.
Buddha Hand tea can soothe nerves, expel toxins and lower blood pressure. It is effective in supporting treatment for asthma, gallbladder pain and digestive problems, such as gastritis and colonitis. Local people drink Buddha Hand tea to get relief from the heat. They make it into salt tea (adding salt in the water), honey tea and grapefruit tea for treating diarrhea, heatstroke, high blood pressure, etc. grapefruit tea is considered as premium gift by the local people for their overseas relatives.
Besides the above mentioned, other famous South Fujian Oolong teas include: Baimaohou, Almond Tea, Fengyuanchun, Taoren, Zoumianji, Dahong, Houye, Xueli, etc.
