A light-fired Zhang Ping Shui Xian from DengDaYan, pressed into the square, paper-wrapped mini bricks Zhangping is known for — a light oolong built around a clear orchid fragrance.
DengDaYan is a Zhangping tea brand whose way of making this tea goes back to the techniques pioneered by local tea master Deng Guanjin in 1914. The Shui Xian leaves come from high-altitude tea gardens along the Jiupeng Stream in Zhangping, Fujian, where fertile soil, abundant rainfall and a subtropical monsoon climate suit the tea trees well. The leaves are handpicked from trees over 30 years old, then roasted and pressed in the traditional way. In the cup that gives a distinct orchid fragrance, a smooth texture, and floral and caramel notes.
Tea Profile
At a glance: Oolong tea · Shui Xian cultivar · Light-fired · Square-pressed mini bricks, around 10g each and paper-wrapped · Zhangping, Fujian Province · DengDaYan
- Form & dry leaf: Square-pressed mini bricks (around 10g each), paper-wrapped — the traditional format for Zhang Ping Shui Xian. One brick is one session.
- Aroma: A delicate orchid aroma, with the floral and caramel notes described by the maker.
- Liquor: Fragrant, bright and sweet.
- Taste: Smooth in the mouth, with a clear floral character from the light firing.
- Aftertaste: Good huigan (returning sweetness) and noticeable saliva production (sheng jin). The aftertaste lingers, soothing and enjoyable.
- Stamina: It stands up to multiple infusions, so one brick lasts a full session.
- Best for: Everyday drinking. Each brick is already measured for one session, so it is easy to brew without weighing, whether you are new to Zhangping oolong or drink it regularly.
Brewing Guide
- Unwrap one mini brick (around 10g) and put it in a gaiwan or small pot — one brick makes one session.
- Heat water to about 95°C (203°F).
- Rinse once quickly and pour the rinse away.
- Steep about 10 seconds for the first infusion, while the pressed brick loosens and the leaves open, then 5–10 seconds a round, adding about 5 seconds each time.
- Pour into a fair cup before serving.
These numbers are a starting point. Try shorter or longer steeps and see what you like best.
Storage
Keep the bricks sealed in a cool, dry place away from light, moisture and strong odors. The paper wrapping protects each brick, but scent is the first thing this tea loses if it is left open to the air.
About the Leaf
Not every session shows these, but you may notice them:
- Red edge on a green leaf: after brewing, the leaves show a red edge and a vibrant green color, and they open out complete and whole — a sign of thick leaves, as the maker notes.
- The brick loosens as you brew: the pressed square holds together when dry and opens up gradually over the first infusions. This is the traditional Zhangping format, not a defect.
