From the previous blog, I had shared the Oolong related article & there are 4 main locations that producing these types of tea, however there are many types of oolong among these 4 areas. Yan Cha (岩茶) aka Rock Tea is also one of Oolong Tea type that has charm characteristic of “Rock Rhythm, 岩韵”. This Tea is represented Northern Fujian Oolong “闽北乌龙” tea production. Therefore, this article will demonstrate on: 

1.What is “Rock Tea” & where are they actually produced?

2. How many types of  “Rock Tea” & what are they?

3. Why are they categories as Oolong Tea type, but not black tea (aka red tea in Chinese)?

4. What is so special about this tea? What are the health benefits?

What is “Rock Tea” & where are they actually produced?

Yan “岩”mean Rock, cliff or stone & “茶” mean Tea, therefore together we called it “Rock Tea”. The other reason is that Rock Tea is grown on the geography of Rock terrain. Yan Cha are only produced in WuYi(武夷山), which is located in NanPing, Northern part of Fujian (闽北), China.

There are only 3 main locations within WuYi Mountain that their local government count them as “Yan Cha” production, those are ZhengYan  “正岩”(Mean True Rock or Original Rock), BanYan “半岩”(Mean Half Rock)  and ZhouCha “洲茶”(Mean River Tea), however WaiShan “外山” mean (outside Mountain)  is not included as authentic Yan Cha production. ZhengYan or “正岩” productions are included 36 peaks, 72 caves and 99 cliffs that is cover with approximately 70 square kilometers, but all of these are not only tea growing areas. Ban Yan or “半岩” is located somewhere around the edges of the national park. Zhou Cha or “洲茶”( River Bank Tea) area is located around nearby river. Wai Shan is located outside the 3 three areas above.

As I has mentions “Rock Tea” is famous for its “Rock rhythm or Rock Charm”, but how does this come from? Here is the answer: The “岩韵” or “Rock Rhythm” can also be described as “Rock Charm” or “Mineral note”, which this special character and property come from its warm climate, rich environment of the nutrient’s rich soil and volcanic rock of WuYi Mountain (since this mountain was a volcano mountain). The ZhengYan area is being protected by the national government to make sure to keep ZhengYan (正岩) naturally grown and it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

What’s more, there are many complex steps of making this Oolong Tea Types, which is only one production in spring are harvested and processing each year and need about 5 months to be completed for the whole process. The harvesting is normal start at late spring (from late April to May) and the earliest products of Rock Tea each year are finish around October and on. This special treatment for “Rock Tea”, make them provide the drinker with an excellent flavor and charming. Moreover, “Rock Tea” production has got medium to high charcoal roasted, which is given their dry leaves smoky and look darker in color that is closer flavor to black tea types (but it is not black tea types). 

What is Rock Charm “岩韵” & How can I feel them?

It is quite difficult to describe the exact feeling of what “Rock Charm” in writing. According to my experience of drinking this tea, the “Rock Charm” is giving the mineral flavor, sweet, floral or fruity and rich inside our mouth.

In fact, on Mount WuYi, Red tea “红茶” (has known as black tea) is also produced and is the first type of red tea to be found in the world. Mount WuYi Productions are called Yan Cha (岩茶, or Rock Tea) variety as   武夷岩茶 or WuYi and Red Tea “红茶”(has known as black tea) is called ” 武夷红茶” or “WuYi HongCha “.  How was the the story back then, I will show in the next article. 

For today’s article, I would like to answer the first question first and leave the second, third and fourth questions for the next article. Thank you !!

For Khmer Version: https://teatimeguy.com/2021/01/19/yancha-in-khmer/

Oolong Related Articles: 1. https://teatimeguy.com/2020/06/05/1st-part-black-dragon-tea-oolong/ & 2. https://teatimeguy.com/2020/06/13/black-dragon-tea-oolong-part-ii/

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