Wuyi Shui Xian ~ ChocolaTea

You may have noticed a definite lack of reviews of Oolong teas on this blog. I used to really enjoy Oolongs, Wuyis especially. In fact, Rishi’s Wuyi (link is probably dead as this tea is currently unavailable) was my go-to Oolong i would swear by and make for guests. That being said, I can no longer drink even the tinest sip of a fully-oxidized Oolong without incurring severe IBS and Wuyi is no exception. I can of course taste-test an Oolong and swish it in my mouth without swallowing, but even then the minute portion that still finds its way to my stomach has toxic results. Thus, this review will be based moreso on aroma and appearance than taste or texture.

I’m not at all sure if i enjoy Wuyi Shui Xian (more commonly transliterated “Hsian”)’s aroma, something akin to old marijuana?, but it is most definitely present. I think i also possibly smell some sort of oxide or solvent (not ammonium but…). In any case, it’s potent pungent. When I take a sip, i’m also overcome with the feeling of lush vegetation… and herbicide. A sip is of course all i can have since this Oolong is 100% oxidized and my stomach is immediately very upset with me. I suppose I’m reminded of the taste of lilac or magnolia Pu-erh but… not in a good way.

The upshot is, this tea is beautiful. xD Even though what I have here (which inexplicably somehow found its way from the Wuyi Mountains of Nanping, Fujian to Kalamazoo, MI; I try to never forget how implausible that would have been even 20 years ago) doesn’t quite match up with the pristine example found on Wikipedia, it’s still a very pretty tea. Also the beautiful copper tinged russet of the liquor is quite pleasing.

Given that I can’t really bring all my finely honed tea-tasting skills to bare in examining Wuyi Shui Xian, I’m not rating it. I will say though, if you CAN have Oolong tea, and you’re able to find an organic Wuyi Shui Hsian, I’d say you should definitely give it a try.