Aged Buddha’s Hand Oolong Tea, 2012 (Lao Cha Tiao Xing Fo Shou (2012))

This exceptional oolong is made from the Hongya Fo Shou (Red Bud Buddha’s Hand) cultivar — a large-leaf variety named for its resemblance to the fruit of the Citrus medica plant and for its historical connection to Buddhist temples in Fujian. Cultivated at around 800 meters above sea level in the mountains on the border of Yongchun and Dehua, this tea is harvested from mature trees with large, twisted leaves and deep aromatic potential.

Aged for over a year and refined through traditional methods including sun withering, multiple rounds of careful shaking (to develop its signature “Fo Shou Yun” or Buddha’s Hand aroma), pan-firing, rolling, and long baked with precision charcoal baking, the result is a tea with a dense, wiry strip shape, dark glossy color, and a complex layered bouquet.

The liquor is clear orange-gold. The aroma is rich and long-lasting, reminiscent of Buddha’s hand fruit, pear, and autumn flowers. The taste is bold and full, with a sweet lingering finish and warming body sensation. It brews strong but reveals gentler textures in later infusions, making it ideal for deep contemplation.