Jing Wei Fu Tea Gift From Qin Mountain 2023 Spring Tea

• Tea Type: Fu Brick Tea (Fuzhuan Cha 茯砖茶) / Chinese Dark Tea (Hei Cha 黑茶)
• Harvest Season & Year: Spring 2023
• Raw Material: Premium dark mao cha (黑毛茶) from high-altitude gardens
• Origin: Qinling Mountain tea-growing region, Shaanxi Province, China – ecologically protected area with exceptional terroir
• Producer: Jingwei Fu Tea Factory (泾渭茯茶) – Shaanxi's largest and most established Fu Tea manufacturer with advanced clean-room fermentation facilities
• Processing Method: Traditional Fu Tea craftsmanship with controlled fermentation (Fa Hua 发花) producing natural golden flowers (Eurotium cristatum probiotics)
• Compression Form: Brick-pressed (砖茶)
• Net Weight: 800g total (4 individually wrapped boxes × 200g each)
• Packaging: Premium gift set with four collectible boxes featuring Qinling protected species (giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, crested ibis, antelope)
• Aging Potential: Ready to drink now; can be aged further for deeper complexity
• Golden Flower Status: Active and abundant – freshly bloomed for optimal flavor and probiotic activity
• Quality Assurance: Clean fermentation process, no off-flavors, stable quality control

Dry Tea Appearance & Aroma:
The tightly compressed brick reveals dark brown-black leaves interspersed with brilliant golden-yellow flowers—the hallmark Eurotium cristatum microbes that shimmer like tiny jewels throughout the brick. The dry aroma is pleasantly earthy with hints of dried mushroom, sweet grain, and a subtle floral sweetness from the golden flower cultures. The brick has a uniform, neat compression with clean edges.

Wet Leaf Appearance & Aroma:
After steeping, the leaves unfurl into mature, well-processed dark tea with intact structure. The wet leaf aroma intensifies into a warm, inviting bouquet of toasted grains, sweet hay, light woodiness, and a distinct honeyed note. The golden flowers become more visible and release their characteristic pleasant fungal sweetness—clean and appealing, never musty.

Liquor Color:
The tea brews into a bright, transparent reddish-amber to deep chestnut color with excellent clarity. No cloudiness or sediment—a clear sign of clean processing and proper fermentation. The liquor has a beautiful luminous quality when held to light.

Taste & Mouthfeel:
Immediately smooth and welcoming on the palate with zero astringency or bitterness. The texture is silky and round, coating the mouth gently. Dominant flavors include sweet grain, caramel, light cocoa, earthy mushroom, and a subtle herbal complexity. The trademark sweetness from golden flowers unfolds progressively—think honey, dates, and toasted barley. The tea is exceptionally clean-tasting with no off-notes, mustiness, or harsh edges. Medium body with surprising depth for such a mellow tea.

Empty Cup Fragrance:
After finishing the tea, the cup releases a lingering sweet grain aroma mixed with dried fruit and a delicate floral note—inviting you to brew the next round.

Aftertaste (Hui Gan 回甘):
The finish is long and sweet with a pleasant cooling sensation in the throat. Natural sweetness builds on the tongue minutes after swallowing, accompanied by subtle salivation. No drying effect—just pure, clean refreshment.

Body Sensation (Cha Qi 茶气):
Gentle warming effect through the chest and stomach, creating a comforting, soothing sensation. The tea feels nourishing and easy on digestion—many drinkers report Fu Tea aids with rich meals. Overall feeling is calm, grounded, and gently energizing without jitters or acidity.

Brewing Endurance:
Highly durable with 8-12+ infusions maintaining flavor integrity. Later steeps become sweeter and lighter while retaining that characteristic golden flower smoothness.

Q1: What flavor profile can I expect from this Fu Tea?

This Jing Wei Fu Tea delivers a distinctly smooth, sweet, and mellow flavor profile that's approachable for both new and experienced tea drinkers. Expect prominent notes of sweet grains (like toasted barley or cornbread), honey, dates, and caramel, balanced by earthy undertones of mushroom, light cocoa, and subtle woodiness. The golden flowers—naturally occurring beneficial microbes—contribute a unique honeyed sweetness and silky texture that sets Fu Tea apart from other dark teas. Unlike some darker aged teas, this 2023 spring harvest is bright and fresh with zero mustiness, bitterness, or harsh edges. The taste is clean, comforting, and naturally sweet without needing any additives. Think of it as the perfect balance between earthy depth and gentle sweetness—ideal for daily drinking or introducing friends to Chinese dark tea.

Q2: What are the golden flowers and why are they important?

The golden flowers you see throughout this Fu Brick Tea are colonies of Eurotium cristatum, a beneficial probiotic fungus deliberately cultivated during the fermentation process called Fa Hua (发花). These aren't mold or defects—they're the signature hallmark of authentic, high-quality Fu Tea and have been prized for centuries in Chinese tea culture. During controlled fermentation, Jingwei's master craftsmen create precise temperature and humidity conditions that encourage these golden microbes to bloom naturally throughout the compressed brick. The golden flowers perform several important functions: they break down complex compounds in the tea leaves, making the tea smoother and easier to digest; they produce natural enzymes and metabolites that create Fu Tea's characteristic sweet, mellow flavor; and they contribute to the tea's reputation for aiding digestion and supporting gut health. More golden flowers generally indicate better fermentation quality and more developed flavor. In this 2023 spring batch, the golden flowers are vibrant and active—you'll see their brilliant yellow-gold color sparkling throughout the brick, and you'll taste their sweet, clean contribution in every cup.

Q3: How is this tea different from Pu-erh or other dark teas?

While Fu Brick Tea is classified as a Chinese dark tea (Hei Cha 黑茶) like Pu-erh, it has several distinctive characteristics that set it apart. First, Fu Tea originates from Shaanxi Province (this one specifically from Qinling Mountains), while Pu-erh comes exclusively from Yunnan—different terroir creates notably different base flavors. Second, and most importantly, Fu Tea undergoes a unique fermentation step called Fa Hua (发花) that intentionally cultivates golden flowers (Eurotium cristatum probiotics), which Pu-erh does not have. This gives Fu Tea its signature sweet, smooth, mellow character with almost no bitterness or astringency. Third, Fu Tea is typically ready to drink much sooner—this 2023 spring tea is already smooth and enjoyable now, whereas raw Pu-erh often needs years of aging to mellow out. Fourth, many tea drinkers find Fu Tea gentler on the stomach and easier to digest due to the golden flower microbes' enzymatic activity. In terms of flavor, Fu Tea tends toward sweet grain, honey, and light earthiness, while Pu-erh (especially aged sheng) often has more camphor, medicinal herbs, and pronounced earthy funk. If you love the depth of dark tea but prefer something naturally sweet and immediately smooth without sharp edges, Fu Tea is your perfect match.

Q4: Is this tea suitable as a gift, and what makes it special for gifting?

Absolutely—this Jing Wei Fu Tea is specifically designed as a premium gift set and excels in every aspect of gift-worthiness. The presentation is exceptional: four individually wrapped 200-gram boxes, each featuring beautiful artwork of Qinling Mountains' protected wildlife (giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, crested ibis, and antelope), creating both visual appeal and cultural storytelling. The 800-gram total quantity is generous enough to share or enjoy over many sessions, and the individual boxes make it easy to gift the entire set or share boxes separately. The tea itself comes from Jingwei, Shaanxi's largest and most reputable Fu Tea factory, ensuring reliable quality and authentic taste—you're giving something genuinely special, not generic tea. The 2023 spring harvest timing means fresh, vibrant flavor with active golden flowers at their peak. Fu Tea also carries cultural significance as a historic Silk Road tea traditionally used for gifting and diplomacy, adding meaningful depth to your present. Whether for tea enthusiasts, health-conscious friends, collectors, corporate gifts, or special occasions like Chinese New Year, weddings, or housewarmings, this tea delivers both aesthetic elegance and exceptional drinking quality that recipients will truly appreciate and remember.

Brewing Methods

Method 1: Gongfu Style (Traditional Multiple Infusions)

Recommended for experiencing the tea's full complexity and multiple flavor layers

• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 6-8g of tea per 100-150ml vessel (approximately 1 small chunk broken from the brick)
• Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F) – boiling or just-off-boiling
• Vessel: Yixing clay teapot, gaiwan, or porcelain teapot
• Instructions:Break off a portion of the brick using a tea needle or knife—aim for 6-8gRinse: Pour hot water over leaves, immediately discard (awakens the tea and washes away any loose particles)First infusion: 10-15 seconds, pour out completelySubsequent infusions: Add 5-10 seconds to each progressive steepExpect 8-12+ delicious infusions—later steeps become sweeter and lighter
• Pro Tip: The golden flowers become more visible and aromatic in later steeps

Method 2: Boiling/Simmering (煮茶法 Zhu Cha Fa)

Traditional method for dark tea—brings out deeper sweetness and full-bodied richness

• Tea Amount: 8-10g per 500-800ml water
• Instructions:Break tea into small chunksAdd tea to cold or room-temperature water in a glass or ceramic kettleBring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low simmer for 5-10 minutesPour and enjoy; you can add more hot water and simmer again 2-3 more times
• Best For: Cold weather, gathering with friends, extracting maximum sweetness and body

Method 3: Grandpa Style / Mug Brewing (闷泡法 Men Pao Fa)

Simple, everyday method for office or casual drinking

• Tea Amount: 3-5g per 300-500ml mug or tumbler
• Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F)
• Instructions:Place tea pieces in mug or infuser basketFill with hot water and let steep 3-5 minutesStrain or remove infuser (or drink around the leaves if using a tumbler)Refill with hot water 3-5 times throughout the day—tea becomes sweeter with each addition
• Note: Fu Tea's mellow nature means you can even leave leaves in without excessive bitterness

Method 4: Western Style / French Press

Convenient for larger servings and Western tea drinkers

• Tea Amount: 5-6g per 400-500ml French press or Western teapot
• Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F)
• Steep Time: 4-6 minutes for first infusion
• Instructions:Add broken tea pieces to French pressPour hot water, steep 4-6 minutesPress plunger and serveCan re-steep 2-3 times by adding 1-2 minutes per steep
• Perfect For: Morning tea routine, serving multiple people at once

Storage Recommendations

Optimal Conditions:

• Environment: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight
• Temperature: Room temperature (18-25°C / 64-77°F) is ideal; avoid extreme heat or cold
• Humidity: Moderate humidity (50-70%); avoid overly damp or completely dry environments
• Container: Keep in original packaging or transfer to breathable storage (ceramic jar, bamboo box, or paper-wrapped); avoid completely airtight plastic containers long-term as Fu Tea benefits from slight air circulation
• Away From: Strong odors (spices, perfumes, cleaning products) as tea absorbs surrounding scents
• Positioning: Store horizontally or upright; avoid crushing or stacking heavy items on top

Aging Potential:

This 2023 spring Fu Tea is ready to drink immediately but can be aged for further complexity. With proper storage, the tea will continue developing deeper sweetness and smoother texture over years. The golden flowers will gradually become less visible as they're absorbed into the leaves, but their beneficial effects remain.

Long-Term Storage Tips:

• Check occasionally for any unusual moisture or odors
• In very humid climates, consider occasional brief ventilation to prevent excess moisture buildup
• In very dry climates, the tea can be stored indefinitely without concern
• Unlike some aged teas, Fu Brick Tea is relatively forgiving and low-maintenance

Travel & Gifting:

The individual 200g boxes are perfectly portioned for gifting or taking portions with you while keeping the rest properly stored. Each box is sealed to maintain freshness until opened.