Zhang Ping Shui Xian Orchid Premium Oolong Tea

Zhang Ping Shui Xian – Orchid Scented Pressed Oolong (漳平水仙)

Fragrant, Compressed Oolong from Zhangping, Fujian

A floral breeze, shaped by hand.

Zhang Ping Shui Xian (漳平水仙), or “Zhangping Narcissus,” is a rare style of pressed oolong tea grown and crafted in Zhangping County, Fujian Province. It is made from the Shui Xian (水仙) cultivar—famous for its orchid fragrance and deep character—but processed into elegant small bricks or squares, unique among oolongs.

This tea offers a sweet floral aroma, smooth roasted notes, and a comforting minerality that deepens with each steep. Unlike other Shui Xian teas from Wuyi, this version is lighter in oxidation, softer in body, and celebrated for its gentle orchid perfume and beautiful presentation.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Zhang Ping Shui Xian Orchid - A Love Letter to Elegance. 

Why You’ll Love Zhang Ping Shui Xian

• Unique compressed oolong brick style from southern Fujian
• Naturally floral and sweet with no flavoring added
• Notes of orchid, toasted grain, and sugarcane
• Excellent for both Gongfu and cup brewing
• Perfect balance of aroma, body, and presentation

Tasting Notes

• Aroma of orchid, gardenia, and warm sugar
• Smooth, medium body with roasted floral depth
• Notes of sweet grain, white blossom, and stone fruit
• Long, gentle finish with cooling floral breath

Tea Profile

• Type: Semi-oxidized Oolong Tea (pressed style)
• Cultivar: Shui Xian (水仙)
• Origin: Zhangping, Longyan, Fujian Province, China
• Elevation: 600–900 meters
• Harvest: Spring flush
• Craftsmanship: Light to medium oxidation (~20–30%), lightly roasted, pressed into bricks
• Appearance: Compressed square brick (typically 7–10g each); pale amber infusion
• Collected: 2025

Processing

This rare tea is shaped and pressed by hand, using traditional techniques native to Zhangping:

1. Plucking – 1 bud with 2–3 leaves
2. Withering & Oxidation – Indoor withering and light bruising
3. Fixation & Rolling – Fired to stop oxidation, then gently rolled
4. Pressing – Leaves are wrapped in cloth and hand-pressed into square molds
5. Baking – Low-temperature roasting brings out floral and sweet layers

The result is a tea that’s aromatic, artful, and softly enduring.

Health Benefits

Zhang Ping Shui Xian offers gentle floral nourishment:

• Supports relaxed alertness and balanced mood
• Rich in aroma compounds, antioxidants, and trace minerals
• Naturally smooth—no bitterness and easy to digest
• Excellent for afternoon or early evening sessions

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: One brick (7–8 grams)
• Water temperature: 90–95°C / 194–203°F
• Rinse: Brief 5-second rinse to loosen the brick
• Infusions:
• 1st: 30–40 sec
• 2nd: 45–60 sec
• 3rd–6th: Increase gradually
• Tip: Gently pry the brick open after the first steep to allow full unfolding

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 90°C / 194°F
• Steep time: 2.5–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Ideal for sharing or meditative solo brewing

Cultural Significance

Zhang Ping Shui Xian is one of China’s few compressed oolongs, a local specialty of Zhangping town. Unlike tightly rolled oolongs or long twisted leaves, it is formed into elegant, fragrant bricks, traditionally gifted during festivals or served to esteemed guests.

The Shui Xian cultivar, known for its narcissus and orchid aroma, is here transformed into a gentle, lasting floral experience—a tea that carries the heart of Fujian’s southern mountains in both form and fragrance.