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• Tea Type: Golden Flower Fu Brick Tea (金花茯砖茶, Jīn Huā Fú Zhuān Chá) — A probiotic-rich compressed tea
• Tea Category: Post-fermented tea with Golden Flower (Eurotium cristatum) cultivation
• Base Tea: Fuding White Tea, Shou Mei grade (福鼎白茶寿眉, Fú Dǐng Bái Chá Shòu Méi)
• Raw Material Year: 2018 Spring Harvest
• Aging Period: 1,095 days (approximately 3 years) of controlled maturation
• Origin: Fuding, Fujian Province, China — the birthplace of Chinese white tea
• Producer: On Taoism Tea Factory (几于道茶厂, Jī Yú Dào Chá Chǎng)
• Production Philosophy: Rooted in Taoist wellness principles; clean, hygienic fermentation pioneered with South China tea leaves
• Processing: Hand-selected Shou Mei → Golden Flower inoculation (发花, Fā Huā) → Controlled fermentation → Compression → Extended aging
• Form: Individually wrapped 3g mini cakes
• Golden Flower Status: Abundantly bloomed, plump golden granules with vibrant yellow color and pronounced fungal fragrance
• Certifications & Awards: 2025 GTC SUPERIOR LEAF Award; 2015 Milan World Expo China Famous Tea Gold Award
• Tasting Note Summary: Clean, mellow, smooth; no bitterness, no off-flavors; highly re-steepable
• Best For: Daily wellness ritual, office brewing, travel, gifting, collectors seeking innovative aged teas

Dry Leaf Appearance & Aroma

The compressed mini cake displays a harmonious blend of deep olive-brown leaves interspersed with visible stems, generously studded with bright golden-yellow fungal colonies—the prized "Golden Flowers." The dry aroma is immediately inviting: warm notes of dried apricot, toasted grain, and a subtle honeyed sweetness, with an underlying earthy depth reminiscent of aged wood and clean forest floor.

Wet Leaf Appearance & Aroma

Upon steeping, the leaves unfurl to reveal their intact, glossy structure with clearly defined stems and leaf blades. The wet leaf releases an intensified bouquet—ripe stone fruit mingles with a distinct fungal-floral note (often compared to aged cheese rind or fine mushroom), layered with hints of caramelized sugar and dried hay.

Liquor Color

A stunning bright amber-orange, brilliantly clear and luminous, with exceptional transparency that speaks to the tea's clean processing. The liquor carries a slight viscosity, catching light like liquid topaz.

Taste & Mouthfeel

The first sip delivers immediate smoothness—a velvety, almost creamy texture that coats the palate without any hint of astringency or bitterness. The flavor unfolds in layers:

• Opening notes: Honey, dried longan, and subtle floral sweetness from the white tea base
• Mid-palate: Toasted barley, roasted nuts, and a gentle earthy depth characteristic of Fu Brick fermentation
• Finish: Clean, sweet, and remarkably persistent, with lingering notes of caramel and a whisper of dried fruit

The mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth (顺滑, Shùn Huá)—rich yet never heavy, with a natural sweetness that requires no additions.

Empty Cup Aroma (挂杯香, Guà Bēi Xiāng)

The emptied cup retains a beautiful lingering fragrance: warm honey, toasted rice, and a delicate floral-fungal note that speaks to the tea's probiotic character.

Aftertaste & Returning Sweetness (回甘, Huí Gān)

A pronounced, lasting sweetness returns to the throat and palate, accompanied by subtle salivation. The aftertaste is clean and refreshing, inviting sip after sip.

Body Sensation (茶气, Chá Qì)

This tea offers a gentle warming sensation that radiates from the core, promoting relaxation without heaviness. Many drinkers report a calm, centered feeling—aligned with the tea's Taoist wellness philosophy. The balanced nature makes it suitable for morning energy or evening wind-down, and its gentle character is kind to sensitive stomachs.

Brewing Endurance

Exceptional longevity—a single 3g cake easily yields 8-12 quality infusions, with the flavor evolving beautifully from bright and sweet to deep and mellow across sessions.

Q: What flavor profile can I expect from this Golden Flower White Tea?

A: This tea delivers a uniquely dual-character experience that bridges white tea elegance with Fu Brick depth. Upon your first sip, you will notice a smooth, velvety mouthfeel with zero bitterness or astringency—remarkably clean and approachable. The flavor opens with honey-like sweetness and dried stone fruit notes (think apricot and longan), which are signatures of the Fuding Shou Mei base. As you continue sipping, you will detect toasted grain, roasted hazelnut, and a gentle earthy undertone contributed by the Golden Flower fermentation. The finish is notably sweet and persistent, leaving your palate refreshed with hints of caramel and a subtle floral-fungal complexity. Western tea drinkers often compare the overall profile to a smooth, naturally sweet oolong crossed with a clean, well-aged Pu-erh—but lighter and more delicate than either. The tea is highly re-steepable, and you will find the flavor evolves across infusions, becoming softer and sweeter as you progress.

Q: Why does this tea contain visible stems, and does that affect quality?

A: The presence of stems is absolutely intentional and essential to this tea's excellence—it is a mark of authenticity, not a flaw. Shou Mei grade white tea naturally includes mature leaves with their stems, and these stems serve multiple critical functions. First, tea stems contain significant concentrations of aromatic compounds; during processing, these volatile substances migrate from stems into leaves, creating a richer, more complex fragrance than leaf-only teas can achieve. Second, stems are rich in tea polysaccharides, lignin, cellulose, and L-theanine—all water-soluble compounds that enhance the tea liquor's body, sweetness, and smooth mouthfeel. Third, and perhaps most importantly for Golden Flower tea, the stems create essential air pockets within the compressed brick. These spaces ensure proper oxygen circulation during the fermentation period (发花, Fā Huā), allowing the beneficial Eurotium cristatum fungi to bloom abundantly and evenly throughout the tea. Without adequate stems, Golden Flower cultivation would be compromised, resulting in inferior fungal development and diminished health benefits.

Q: How is this different from regular Fu Brick Tea or Pu-erh tea?

A: This Golden Flower White Tea represents a groundbreaking innovation in Chinese tea production. Traditional Fu Brick tea (茯砖茶) has been made for centuries using dark tea (黑茶, Hēi Chá) from Shaanxi Province's Qinling Mountains as the base material. On Taoism pioneered the use of premium Fuding white tea (Shou Mei grade) as the base—the first producer to successfully cultivate Golden Flowers on South China white tea leaves. The result is dramatically different from conventional Fu Brick: where traditional versions can taste heavy, strongly earthy, or even slightly harsh, this white tea base delivers inherent sweetness, delicate floral notes, and a lighter, more refined character. Compared to Pu-erh, this tea offers similar probiotic benefits and smooth, aged character, but with a cleaner, sweeter profile and none of the intense earthiness or "wet storage" flavors that some find challenging in Pu-erh. The 1,095-day aging further smooths any rough edges, creating a tea that is exceptionally approachable for Western palates while satisfying experienced aged-tea enthusiasts.

Q: Does Golden Flower White Tea contain caffeine, and when is the best time to drink it?

A: Yes, this tea contains caffeine, as all true teas from the Camellia sinensis plant do. However, the caffeine content is moderated by two factors: the mature Shou Mei leaves naturally contain less caffeine than young buds, and the extended fermentation and aging processes further reduce stimulant effects while increasing calming L-theanine levels. Most drinkers find this tea gentle enough to enjoy from morning through early evening without sleep disruption, though individual sensitivity varies. The tea's probiotic Golden Flowers (Eurotium cristatum) make it particularly beneficial as a digestive aid after meals—a traditional use in China's northwestern regions. Many customers report it provides calm, focused energy rather than the jittery stimulation of coffee or young green tea. For those highly sensitive to caffeine, we recommend enjoying it before 3 PM and using shorter steeping times. The warming, centering sensation aligns beautifully with a mid-afternoon break or post-dinner relaxation ritual.

Gongfu Style (工夫茶, Gōng Fu Chá) — Recommended for Connoisseurs

Equipment: Gaiwan (盖碗) or small Yixing clay teapot (100-150ml)

Ratio: 1 mini cake (3g) per 100ml water

Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F) — Full boiling is ideal

Procedure:

1. Place the unwrapped mini cake in your preheated brewing vessel.
2. Rinse briefly with hot water for 3-5 seconds; discard this first infusion to awaken the leaves.
3. First infusion: Steep for 10-15 seconds.
4. Subsequent infusions: Add 5-10 seconds per round as needed.
5. Continue for 8-12 infusions, adjusting time to maintain desired strength.

Tasting Notes: This method reveals the tea's evolving complexity—early infusions highlight sweetness and floral notes, while later steeps emphasize depth and grain-like warmth.

Steeping Method / Thermos Brewing (闷泡法, Mèn Pào Fǎ) — Recommended for Convenience

Equipment: Insulated thermos or travel mug (300-500ml)

Ratio: 1 mini cake (3g) per 300-400ml water

Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F)

Procedure:

1. Place one mini cake directly into your thermos.
2. Fill with freshly boiled water.
3. Seal and allow to steep for 15-30 minutes (or longer for stronger flavor).
4. Enjoy throughout the day; refill with hot water 2-3 times as the cake continues releasing flavor.

Tasting Notes: This method beautifully extracts both the white tea's natural sweetness and the Fu Brick's mellow richness, creating a deeply satisfying, full-bodied brew perfect for office or travel.

Boiling Method (煮茶法, Zhǔ Chá Fǎ) — For Maximum Extraction

Equipment: Glass kettle, ceramic pot, or stovetop-safe vessel (500-800ml)

Ratio: 1-2 mini cakes (3-6g) per 500ml water

Water Temperature: Bring to a rolling boil, then simmer

Procedure:

1. Add water to your kettle and bring to a boil.
2. Drop in the mini cake(s).
3. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes.
4. Pour and enjoy. The leaves can be simmered again for 2-3 additional rounds.

Tasting Notes: Boiling produces the richest, most full-bodied expression—deeply mellow with intensified sweetness and a luxuriously thick mouthfeel. Excellent for cold weather.

Western Style (Mug or French Press) — For Everyday Simplicity

Equipment: Large mug with infuser or French press (350-500ml)

Ratio: 1 mini cake (3g) per 350-400ml water

Water Temperature: 95-100°C (203-212°F)

Procedure:

1. Place one mini cake in your infuser or French press.
2. Pour freshly boiled water over the tea.
3. Steep for 3-5 minutes for a balanced cup; extend to 7-10 minutes for a stronger brew.
4. Remove infuser or press plunger; enjoy. The same cake can be re-steeped 2-3 times.

Tasting Notes: A forgiving, approachable method that yields a smooth, sweet cup without any bitterness—ideal for those new to Golden Flower tea.

Important Note on Cold Brewing

Cold brewing is not recommended for this tea. The Golden Flower's beneficial compounds and the Fu Brick's signature aromatic complexity require hot water to fully activate and extract. Cold water will produce a flat, underwhelming result that does not represent this tea's true character.

Storage Recommendations

Optimal Conditions:

• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight
• Ideal temperature: 15-25°C (59-77°F)
• Ideal humidity: 50-70% (moderate; avoid both excessive dryness and dampness)
• Keep away from strong odors (spices, perfumes, cleaning products)—tea absorbs surrounding aromas

Container:

• The original sealed packaging is suitable for short-term storage (up to 6 months)
• For longer storage, transfer to a breathable container such as unglazed ceramic, bamboo, or kraft paper-lined box
• Avoid completely airtight containers; Golden Flower tea benefits from minimal air exchange

Aging Potential:

• This tea can continue to develop and improve with proper storage
• The Golden Flowers will remain stable, and the tea's mellowness will deepen over time
• Re-check periodically to ensure no moisture damage or off-odors develop

Shelf Life:

• Best enjoyed within 5-10 years of production for optimal Golden Flower vitality
• Well-stored cakes can remain enjoyable for 15+ years, developing increased smoothness and complexity