Jin Suo Chi Oolong Tea

About

All tea comes from one tea plant called the “Camellia Sinensis.” Jin Suo Chi is a very rare Wu Yi Oolong tea grown in the Fujian Province of north-western China

Jin Suo Chi tea is also called Golden Key in the West. Made in the semi-fermented process, as are all oolong teas.

Information

Other names: Golden Key

Physical Description

The raw leaves are about 3 inches long with a subtle gold color underbelly. The leaves are partially oxidized and heavily roasted, which is a defining method of making all oolong teas.

Colors: golden, green,

Tasting Notes

Flavors: floral, tart fruit, mineral

Food complements: Chinese food

Selecting and Buying

Buying: This variety of oolong tea can cost $18-23 for 25 grams (which would make approximately 12 cups of tea) and upwards of $200/lb.

Preparation and Use

As with all oolong tea, the proportion is about two teaspoons of tea per 6 ounces of water. Oolong teas should be prepared with 180°F to 190°F water (not boiling) and steeped 3-4 minutes.

Conserving and Storing

Store all oolong teas in a cool, dry place.

Social/Political

Jin Suo Chi tea is grown in the Fujian Province of the southeastern part of China (it's the Chinese province on the other side of the Taiwan Strait). The Wu Yi mountains where this variety of oolong tea is grown was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

History: Some of the most famous oolongs hail from the WuYi Cliff region of China. The English word for tea is borrowed from Min nan language, which is a language native to the Fujian region of China.