Shui Jin Gui or Water Golden Turtle is one of the four most famous "Yan Cha" (meaning cliff and boulder tea) from the Wuyi Shan region. This varietal produces a dense bush with thick, shinny leaves. When all the bushes are trimmed into the customary semi-dome shape, the leaves reflecting the sunlight look almost like a school of golden turtles in a sea of green, thus gaining its now famous name, Shui Jin Gui.

Shui Jin Gui is known for its soft texture and unusually gentle nature. The cup is peachy red with notes of chocolate and toasted nuts. There is also a pleasant reminder of its flowery note, lingering after each sip. After cupping all of this year's various samples of Wuyi Yan Cha, we succumbed to its romance and decided that we must share this gift of nature with you.

Brewing suggestion:

We originally cupped this tea with three grams of tea and four to six ounces of near boiling water. But we suggest that you try it with the larger six-ounce gaiwan to allow the tea to fully expand in the cup. More or less tea can be used, based on your personal preference.

If gongfu tea preparation is desired, we suggest using a pot with a large enough body to accommodate the larger leaf size so that full expansion and infusion can be achieved.