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.