Pinglin Shui Xian

One might think that after more than 1000 years of tea culture, there are no surprises left to discover. But some tea masters continue to explore, experiment, and innovate—and Liao Wei-Chun is definitely one of them. Using the much-loved Shui Xian cultivar grown on the foggy hills of Pinglin, he has created his own take on a classic Wuyi rock tea.

After tasting this experimental lot, we secured a tiny micro-batch for Nannuoshan. Quantities are extremely limited and will not be restocked.

Roasted to a level that enhances finesse and aromatic precision, the dry leaves offer a fragrance that is more nutty than woody, shifting toward savory vegetables once submerged in water. The same holds true for the vibrantly golden tea liquor: sweet roasted almonds mingle with buttered vegetables, orchids, and cardamom, without any bitterness, even at high temperatures or with extended steeping times.

The result is a tea that sits somewhere between our Handmade Dong Ding 2024 and a more gently roasted Chinese yan cha, such as our Xianrenyan Gao Cong Shui Xian. When brewing, it invites the same openness to experimentation that guided its production, gradually unveiling its many layers like the petals of the eponymous narcissus.

Written by Sven

The tea master

Liao Wei-Chun, based in Taipei City, is a distinguished student of Huangtan Chen, known in the Western world as Atong, arguably Taiwan’s most renowned tea expert. Master Chen’s tea classes at the community college in Taipei attract numerous enthusiasts, yet only two students have the privilege of teaching alongside him. Master Wei-Chun is one of these select few.

With extensive connections throughout Taiwan, Master Wei-Chun dedicates much of the harvest season to visiting various tea gardens, where he processes tea in small batches. He possesses a deep expertise in traditional Oolong processing, yet he is also known for his innovative spirit, experimenting with new leaf varieties and processing techniques. This modern approach, coupled with the solid foundation inherited from Master Chen, yields impressive results. The consistency and quality of his exceptional teas are unparalleled in our tea sourcing journey.

During the tea off-season, Master Wei-Chun can often be found in ski resorts in Japan, where he teaches downhill skiing.