Unique varieties retain their natural flavor, with a hint of papaya and a slight spiciness from cinnamon,
When will we continue to compose new melodies, discussing the rain and the ice buds in order?
Wuyi Rougui
Wuyi Rougui is the star of Wuyi Rock Tea, recorded in the “Chronicles of Chong’an County”. It gained fame during the Qing Dynasty and was originally known as Yuguai.Wuyi Rougui is praised for its sharp and lasting aroma, rich and refreshing flavor, and is highly regarded for its “rock charm”.
Wuyi Rougui belongs to the asexual propagation system, is a shrub type, and is a late-maturing variety. It originated from Mazhen Peak and Huiyuan, with a cultivation history of over 100 years. In 1985, it was recognized as a provincial variety, and has been introduced widely both within and outside Fujian Province.
Wuyi Rougui tea plants are tall, with a semi-open growth habit and dense branching. The leaves are horizontally arranged, measuring 7.1 cm in length, oval-shaped, deep green, glossy, flat on the surface, with a slightly curled leaf body, blunt leaf tips, shallow and blunt leaf teeth, and thick, soft leaf texture. The buds and leaves are purple-green with few hairs. The flower crown has a diameter of 3.0 cm and consists of 7 petals. The flower column is 3-lobed. The bud and leaf growth is vigorous, with dense budding and strong tenderness. The spring tea’s one bud and two leaves dry sample contains approximately 3.9% amino acids, 21% tea polyphenols, and 3.5% caffeine.
Wuyi Rougui is tightly rolled after processing, with a dark green color, bright red spots, and a rich, sharp aroma reminiscent of cinnamon, with a thick and sweet flavor, showcasing its “rock charm”. It has strong cold and drought resistance, high propagation success rate through cuttings.
According to the “Wuyi Mountain Chronicle”, “Tea production varies, but Wuyi is the best; other regions are cold, while this one is warm. The varieties are divided into rock tea and flat tea. The rock tea is of higher quality, while the flat tea is of lesser quality.“
Wuyi Rougui is a rare high-quality variety cultivated from numerous famous Wuyi strains. Since the 1980s, the cultivation area has rapidly expanded, achieving good benefits, and it has now become the main cultivated variety in Wuyi Mountain, accounting for more than 30% of the total tea area in the city.
Wuyi Rougui grows in the Wuyi Mountain tea-producing area, at an average altitude of 650 meters, in soil formed from the weathering of red sandstone, which is loose, rich in humus, with suitable acidity, abundant rainfall, and a climate characterized by mist and moderate temperatures, with warm winters and cool summers. The rock springs flow continuously throughout the year, creating a paradise for tea tree growth.
Tea enthusiasts are well aware of the “Three Pits and Two Ravines”, which is also the core production area of Wuyi Rougui. The growth of Rougui in different mountain areas results in distinct micro-region characteristics. Among them, the Rougui from Niulan Pit is the most famous. Compared to Rougui from other mountain areas in Wuyi, the Rougui from Matou Rock has a sharp and elevated aroma with a rich flavor; the Rougui from Zhuke has a serene aroma with a lingering sweetness; while the Rougui from Niulan Pit possesses both the “opening lid to release fragrance” and the “fragrance sinking in water” qualities, leaving a fragrant aftertaste, perfectly embodying the “rock bone and floral fragrance” of Wuyi Rock Tea.
Wuyi Rougui is a high-quality variety with unique regional characteristics, renowned in the tea world for its saying, “No fragrance surpasses that of Rougui”. The cinnamon aroma is its distinctive feature; it integrates diverse regional fragrances, whether the clear and distant notes from the “pits, caves, and ravines” or the sharpness from the “rocks and peaks”; combined with the unique traditional production techniques of Wuyi Rock Tea, from the refreshing and direct floral aroma to the rich and full-bodied fruity and milky aromas, with distinct layers that blend harmoniously, resembling a captivating symphony, with ups and downs, twists and turns.
As a treasure among Wuyi Rock Teas, Wuyi Rougui is rooted in the crevices of Wuyi Mountain, absorbing the essence of the rocks and bathed in the moisture of the clouds. Each tea leaf embodies the gifts of nature and the craftsmanship of tea makers, allowing one to feel the freshness and spirit of the mountains, bringing tranquility and elevation to the soul through the fragrance of tea.
Source: Wuyi Tea World Edited by // Guanguan