As the hottest months of Summer burn on, the season for cooling drinks and light snacks has arrived. When you have tired of cold-brew green tea and silver needle, we invite you to join us in trying out 3 (or 4) pressed little pillows of our newest treat: Zhangping Shuixian.
This is a sweet little tea snack in liquid form, and most of them do indeed taste like you are brewing up a little osmanthus rice cake. It is a style of tea where freshness, sweetness, and aroma take the front seat in place of body. Hence, the brewing ratio of one ~8ish gram pillow to 120/ml is strongly encouraged. You can and should hit it hard for at least three infusions. Watch the video below for more information.
Once you have got the teas, click here and share your feedback about the numbered samples received. Come October, we will share the results and settle on a final tea to source based on your feedback.
The anonymized contenders include:
Fall 2024 Dangkeng Orthodox (x2)
This tea was made by a young producer within the core-production area's lesser known Danggkeng Village, and is intended to be a lighter, more sweet orchid product. For him, this is the ideal orthodox version of this tea for first time drinkers.
Spring 2025 Dangkeng Roasted (x2)
This tea was made by a young producer within the core-production area's lesser known Danggkeng Village. It is a custom-made product intended to suit the tastes of Northern Fujian tea drinkers who grew up on Yancha.
Spring 2024 Nanyang Orthodox (x2)
This tea is made by a veteran, award-winning producer of 40 years who lives in Nanyang Township proper. Although rougher in shape, it is a fuller osmanthus body and stronger aroma, ideal for an established local drinker.
(DLC - Limit 15 Orders) Fall 2024 Shuangyang Orthodox (x1)
An optional add-on, this is a Shuangyang sourced tea from a Zhangping city-based tea assessor. It is another smooth orthodox fall tea, but with slightly most robust aroma.
Aromatically pairs with any bullshit I have to deal with and a nice way to reward myself for doing do. Lots of great mileage drinking it Grandpa Style. Nutty (like me) and rich ?not like me).
Unfortunately not quite to my taste, I feel like it's just a bit light. However! If you brew Riptide really aggressively, like 9g/100 100°C 30+sec, then you'll get straight hibiscus tea.
Ugh, where do I even start ! Thick, juicy, stemmy, like a wonderful thick red wine or delicious pipe tobacco. Aged jujube, gozi berry, date, cedar, and just old forest energy from this massive brick that will last you a while. Brick is tightly pressed but, once you've found the right place with your tea knife, it's super easy to grab large chunks.
I was drinking this tea with a friend of mine and here's their verdict (paraphrased lol)
This tea has a clarifying quality to it. It's refreshing in a way that is very soothing to the senses: calming sleep, soothing aches, and relaxing eyes. The reserved sweetness feels natural and light, transporting you to the place where it is grown.
My personal opinion: This tea is awesome. Very refreshing, smooth to the taste, and lasts for many cups! Pairs nicely with just sitting around. You can relax with a tea like this.
