Gold Peony

碧石金牡丹

Harvest
May 2023

Origin
Wuyishan, Fujian

This Gold Peony is a true-cliff rock oolong, harvested from leaves grown on Bishi 碧石岩, or “Jade Stone,” cliff within the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve.

Its name refers to its uncommon varietal, made from crossbreeding two famous oolong trees in Fujian: Tieguanyin and Golden Cassia. Gold Peony was first introduced in the Anxi region, but didn’t gain much recognition until it found its way to the Wuyi Mountain area.

Gold Peony is a highly fragrant varietal, thus it usually finds favour with newer tea drinkers who prefer a simpler, sweeter fragrance and lighter body. However, this Gold Peony reveals the depth and complexity this varietal can express, and we think it exemplifies it well. 

This delicate varietal receives a lighter roast than many cliff oolongs. This tea saw 4 rounds of gentle charcoal roasting over the span of 6 months. It was completed in October of 2023, and aged for 1 year afterwards. 

This Gold Peony has the depth of character we would expect from a charcoal roasted cliff oolong of this quality, but with a very unusual sprightliness to it. We appreciate it for this lightness, as it is so delicate on the tongue it almost flickers. Its taste leads with fruity notes, like raw cacao, followed by mineral, peach and nectarine notes that appear only after the tea is swallowed. 

We consider this tea a gold standard for an ‘everyday drinking’ true-cliff rock oolong. At an amazing value, it offers impressive minerality and layers, with a distinct florality and sweetness.  It is a delicious, wonderfully weightless, oolong well suited to the transition from Summer to Fall.

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Brewing guide

The key to brewing this tea is to use boiling water, and quick infusions, starting at 10 seconds.