Oolong Tea

Shui Xian (Water Sprite)水仙

Shuǐ Xiān

Oolong Tea Wuyi Rock Tea Wuyi Mountains

Ancient Wuyi cultivar producing smooth, orchid-scented rock oolong. Often aged, developing deeper complexity over time.

Flavor Profile

Primary Notes

Orchid Mineral Honey

Secondary Notes

Dark Chocolate Wood

Aroma

Floral Mineral Aged
Body Medium Full
Finish Smooth, sweet, mineral
Caffeine Moderate

How to Understand Shui Xian (Water Sprite)

In the cup, Shui Xian (Water Sprite) is best understood as a oolong tea built around orchid, mineral, and honey. The secondary notes of dark chocolate and wood give it more range than a simple category label suggests, while the aroma leans toward floral, mineral, and aged. Expect a medium full body and a finish that Smooth, sweet, mineral.

The origin matters here. Shui Xian (Water Sprite) is associated with Wuyi Mountains in Fujian, so the page should be read as a profile of both tea style and place. UNESCO site with unique mineral-rich soil. Origin of rock oolongs and Lapsang Souchong. That context helps explain why two teas in the same broad family can taste noticeably different.

Processing is the other major clue: oolong tea is typically partial oxidation and repeated leaf handling, creating a wide spectrum from floral to roasted. For Shui Xian (Water Sprite), the oxidation level is 55% when measured on a simple scale.

For brewing, start near 95C with about 7g per 100ml. The first infusion at roughly 15 seconds should show the tea's structure without over-extracting it; later steeps can move in 5-second increments. Because the expected range is about 7 infusions, this tea is better judged across a session than from one long steep.

When buying Shui Xian (Water Sprite), use price as a quality signal but not the only one. A common mid-range benchmark is around $25-$60 per 50g. Look for clean aroma, credible origin naming, and leaf appearance that matches the style before paying premium prices.

It is especially useful for afternoon focus and guests. With moderate caffeine and a medium full body, it can fit different roles depending on steep strength: lighter infusions emphasize fragrance, while slightly longer infusions bring out texture and finish.

How to Brew Shui Xian (Water Sprite)

Gongfu Style

Tea Amount g / 100ml
Water Temperature 95°C
First Steep 15s
Infusions +

Origin & Processing

Growing Region

Shui Xian (Water Sprite) comes from Wuyi Mountains (武夷山) in Fujian Province . UNESCO site with unique mineral-rich soil. Origin of rock oolongs and Lapsang Souchong.

Oxidation Level

55%

Roast Level

Medium

Pricing Guide

Prices for Shui Xian (Water Sprite) vary based on quality, harvest time, and source.

Best Occasions

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How to Use This Profile

Flavor, caffeine, price, and brewing results vary with harvest, storage, leaf grade, water, and preparation. The values here are comparative starting points, not laboratory measurements or seller-specific offers.

This profile is maintained as part of the China Tea House open dataset. If you spot an error or have a primary source we should review, please send a correction.