Zhangping Shui Xian
The only oolong traditionally sold compressed, pressed into small paper-wrapped squares in southern Fujian. The format is unique in the category and genuinely functional: each square is a single serving, and the compression slows the tea’s decline in a way loose oolong does not enjoy.
Character
Floral and honeyed like other Shui Xian, with a slight extra depth from the pressing and the paper. The square breaks up over the first two infusions rather than opening immediately.
- Flavour
- Floral, Woody, Sweet, Creamy
- Aroma
- Orchid, Honeyed, Caramelised
- Mouthfeel
- Full bodied, Silky, Rich
- Complexity
- Layered
- Notes
- orchid, honey, wood, light caramel
- Aftertaste
- Sweet and floral with a warm depth.
Moderate intensity: noticeable weight or grip, but neither dominates the cup.
Provenance and production
- Origin
- China
- Cultivar
- Shui Xian
- Oxidation
- Partially oxidised
- Roast
- Light
- Harvest
- Spring
- Processing
- Withering → Bruising (shaking) → Kill-green (fixation) → Rolling and shaping → Roasting → Compression
Brewing
Gongfu brewing (gaiwan)
5–7 g/100 ml · 90–95 °C · 6 authored infusions
Western brewing (teapot or mug)
1.5–2.5 g/100 ml · 90–95 °C · 2 authored infusions
No caffeine estimate is authored for this tea. TeaHQ does not infer one from its category, because category predicts caffeine poorly — matcha and gyokuro carry more than many black teas.
Common mistakes
- Expecting the square to open in one steep — give it two
If you like this
Grouped by why they were suggested, strongest reason first. Nothing here is a blended score — a suggestion appears under the best reason that exists for it, and never under a weaker one as well.
Editorially linked
Someone wrote down why these two belong together. The note below is theirs.
- Wuyi Shui Xian
The same cultivar in two provinces and two formats. Zhangping presses it into small paper-wrapped squares, which exists nowhere else in oolong.
Similar sensory profile
Shares controlled flavour, aroma and mouthfeel descriptors. A looser match — two teas can share descriptors and still taste nothing alike.
- Da Yu Ling
Shares 7 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: floral, creamy, sweet, full bodied, silky, rich and orchid.
- Li Shan
Shares 7 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: floral, creamy, sweet, full bodied, silky, rich and orchid.
- Yiwu sheng pu-erh
Shares 7 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: floral, sweet, woody, silky, full bodied, honeyed and orchid.
- Aged Liu Bao
Shares 6 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: woody, sweet, full bodied, rich, silky and caramelised.
- Aged Shou Mei
Shares 6 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: sweet, woody, full bodied, rich, caramelised and honeyed.
- Aged white tea cake
Shares 6 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: sweet, woody, full bodied, rich, honeyed and caramelised.
- Alishan oolong
Shares 6 descriptors with Zhangping Shui Xian: floral, creamy, sweet, full bodied, silky and orchid.