2018년 빈티지 레드박스 복전벽차 - 친링산 GEO 인증 흑차 (800g)

• Tea Type: Fu Brick Tea (茯砖茶, Fú Zhuān Chá) / Jingyang Dark Tea / Post-Fermented Heicha
• Raw Material Grade: Special Grade Black Mao Cha (特级黑毛茶)—the highest leaf classification, featuring tender buds and young leaves from the top 20% of harvest selection
• Harvest Season: Spring 2018
• Pressing Year: 2018
• Precise Origin: Qinling-Qinba Mountain Range, Southern Shaanxi Province (elevation ~1,200m); raw tea sourced from YXT's own gardens in Ziyang and Nanzheng counties, processed at YXT's Jingyang facility in the Jing River valley
• Producer: Jingyang Manzi Fucha Co., Ltd. (泾阳蔓子茯茶有限公司), operating under the YXT (永兴泰) brand; established 2012 in the historic birthplace of Fu brick tea; facility spans 5,000+ square meters with both hand-crafted and mechanized production lines; annual capacity 1,000+ tons
• Certification: China Geographical Indication Protected Product (泾阳砖茶地理标志), authorized 2015
• Net Weight: 800g per brick
• Form: Compressed brick format—sharp edges, uniform thickness, intact structure; suitable for long-term aging and daily brewing
• Golden Flower Status: Exceptionally abundant Eurotium cristatum colonies; plump, golden, evenly distributed throughout the brick interior—indicates successful traditional flowering (发花, Fā Huā) and active probiotic presence
• Storage Recommendation: Clean, dry environment; breathable packaging preferred for continued maturation
• Flavor Character: Qinba high-mountain terroir delivers a clean, mineral-accented profile distinct from lower-elevation Fu teas; expect refined sweetness and lasting huigan (回甘, returning sweetness)

Dry Leaf Appearance & Aroma

The brick presents with precise, architectural edges and a smooth, compressed surface in deep chestnut-brown. Breaking the brick reveals an interior studded with abundant golden-yellow Eurotium cristatum colonies—plump, spherical, and evenly distributed. The dry aroma opens with toasted grain and aged wood, layered with subtle fungal sweetness reminiscent of dried apricot and a whisper of clean earthiness.

Wet Leaf Appearance & Aroma

After brewing, the leaves unfurl to display their special-grade pedigree: predominantly tender buds and young leaves rather than the coarse stems typical of standard Fuzhuan. The wet leaf emits a warm, inviting fragrance of roasted barley, caramelized nuts, and a distinctive mushroom-like depth from the golden flower colonies.

Liquor Color

The tea soup pours a luminous amber-orange with excellent clarity and a subtle oily sheen—bright and inviting, deepening to burnished copper in later infusions.

Taste & Mouthfeel

The first sip delivers immediate smoothness—no roughness, no astringency, no off-notes. The texture is velvety and medium-bodied, coating the palate with gentle weight. Flavor unfolds in waves: an initial sweetness of toasted cereal and dried longan gives way to roasted walnut and a distinctive mineral undertone unique to high-altitude Qinba terroir. The golden flower presence contributes a subtle savory depth, almost umami-adjacent, that distinguishes premium Fuzhuan from ordinary examples. Absolutely clean, with zero bitterness or harsh edges.

Empty Cup Aroma (挂杯香, Guà Bēi Xiāng)

The emptied cup retains a lasting fragrance of warm honey, toasted grain, and gentle woody sweetness—a hallmark of quality aging and abundant golden flower activity.

Aftertaste & Huigan (回甘)

The finish is remarkably long and evolving. A gentle mineral aftertaste lingers at the back of the palate, followed by a slow-building returning sweetness (回甘, huígān) that emerges in the throat and persists for minutes. Clean and refreshing, never cloying.

Body Sensation (茶气, Chá Qì)

This tea delivers a warming, grounding sensation that radiates gently from the core. Many drinkers report a subtle relaxation in the shoulders and a calm, focused alertness—the hallmark of well-aged, cleanly processed dark tea. Highly suitable for post-meal drinking; never harsh on an empty stomach.

Q1: What flavor profile can I expect from this tea?

This 2018 Red Box Fuzhuan offers a refined, multi-layered drinking experience quite different from standard Fu brick teas. Expect an initial wave of toasted cereal sweetness—think roasted barley, oat cookies, and a hint of caramelized brown sugar. This transitions into nutty mid-notes reminiscent of roasted walnuts and hazelnuts, supported by a subtle dried-fruit sweetness similar to longan or golden raisins. The abundant golden flowers (Eurotium cristatum) contribute a distinctive savory depth with light mushroom undertones—complex but never overpowering. What truly sets this tea apart is its clean mineral finish, a signature of 1,200-meter Qinba terroir, followed by a long-lasting returning sweetness (huigan) that lingers in the throat. The mouthfeel is notably smooth and velvety, with zero bitterness, astringency, or off-flavors. It brews exceptionally well across 10-15 infusions, with the flavor profile shifting gradually from bright and sweet toward deeper, woodier notes.

Q2: What makes the special-grade (特级) raw material in this Red Box edition so significant?

The grade of raw tea leaf (mao cha) fundamentally determines a Fu brick's quality ceiling, and this is where the Red Box edition truly distinguishes itself. Most Fuzhuan teas on the market use Grade 3 or lower black mao cha—mature leaves with thick stems and coarse texture that yield adequate but unremarkable results. This Red Box edition uses special-grade black mao cha (特级黑毛茶), the highest classification, comprising predominantly tender spring buds and young leaves from the top 20% of harvest selection. The practical difference is profound: finer leaves contain higher concentrations of amino acids and aromatic compounds, producing a smoother, sweeter, more aromatic cup with greater complexity and aging potential. YXT reserves this premium material specifically for their Red Box line because such quality is scarce—their own high-altitude Qinba gardens yield limited quantities that simply cannot support mass production. For collectors and serious drinkers, this represents an opportunity to experience what Fuzhuan can achieve when raw material quality is prioritized over economy.

Q3: How does this Red Box edition compare to the Yellow Box version?

YXT produces two companion 800g bricks that share identical packaging dimensions and traditional production methods but differ in one critical aspect: raw material grade. The Red Box edition you see here uses special-grade black mao cha (特级), while the Yellow Box edition uses Grade 1 black mao cha (一级). Both grades far exceed industry norms—most commercial Fuzhuan uses Grade 3 or lower—but the distinction matters for discerning palates. The Red Box delivers a more refined, complex flavor profile with silkier mouthfeel, greater aromatic intensity, and superior aging potential; it is the connoisseur's choice for collection or special occasions. The Yellow Box offers outstanding quality at a more accessible price point, making it ideal for daily drinking, sharing generously, or introducing friends to premium Fuzhuan. Many customers purchase both: the Yellow Box for everyday enjoyment and the Red Box for their aging collection or moments when only the finest will do. Both carry the same GEO certification and originate from YXT's own Qinba mountain gardens—the difference lies purely in leaf selection.

Q4: How long can I age this tea, and will it improve over time?

This 2018 vintage has already undergone seven years of natural aging, developing the smooth, integrated character you will taste today—but its journey is far from complete. High-quality Fuzhuan with abundant golden flower activity, like this Red Box edition, can continue improving for 15-20+ years under proper storage conditions. The active Eurotium cristatum colonies will gradually transform the tea's chemical composition, further mellowing any residual edges while deepening complexity and developing richer, more nuanced flavors over time. Many collectors specifically seek well-made Fuzhuan as a "living" tea that rewards patience. The key to successful aging is maintaining a clean, dry, odor-free environment with moderate airflow—avoid sealed containers, excessive humidity, and proximity to strong-smelling substances. If you choose to cellar a portion while drinking the rest, you will have the pleasure of revisiting this tea year after year, noting how time enhances what is already an exceptional starting point.

공부 스타일 (功夫泡, Gōngfū Pào) — 전문가에게 추천

장비: 의싱 클레이 주전자, 도자기 가이완 또는 세라믹 냄비 (150-200ml 용량)
잎 양: 150ml당 7-8그램
물 온도: 100°C (212°F) — 완전히 끓는 물
헹굼: 한 번 간단히 헹구기 (5초)하여 잎을 깨우고 느슨한 입자를 씻어내기; 이 액체는 버리기
우림 순서:

• 1-3차 우림: 10-15초
• 4-6차 우림: 15-25초
• 7-10차 우림: 25-40초
• 11차 이상: 45-90초 (필요에 따라 연장)

예상 수확량: 기술에 따라 12-18회의 고품질 우림
메모: 푸 브릭 차는 점진적으로 그 특성을 드러냅니다. 초기 우림은 단맛과 꽃향기를 강조하며, 이후 우림에서는 더 깊고 나무 같은 복합적인 맛이 발전합니다.

끓이는 방법 (煮茶, Zhǔ Chá) — 매우 추천

장비: 유리 주전자, 세라믹 냄비 또는 전용 차 끓임 용기
잎 양: 500-800ml 물 당 5-8그램
절차:

1. 깨진 벽돌 조각을 실온이나 미리 데워진 물에 넣기
2. 중불에서 부드럽게 끓이기
3. 끓기 시작하면 열을 줄이고 3-5분 동안 끓이기
4. 액체를 따르고 제공하기; 잎은 추가로 2-3번 더 끓일 수 있음

왜 끓이는가? 이 방법은 차의 모든 화합물을 최대한 추출하여 특히 풍부하고 진한, 만족스러운 컵을 만들어냅니다. 황금 꽃 깊이가 두드러집니다. 이 특별 등급의 벽돌에 특히 추천되며, 우수한 원료는 끓임에 아름답게 반응하여 짧은 우림으로는 충분히 접근할 수 없는 여러 층위의 복합성을 방출합니다.

장시간 우림 / 보온병 방법 (闷泡, Mèn Pào) — 일상 사용에 탁월

장비: 보온병, 보온 여행 머그잔 또는 큰 덮개 달린 용기
잎 양: 500ml당 3-5그램
절차:

1. 미리 데워진 보온병에 깨진 벽돌 조각 넣기
2. 뜨거운 물 (100°C)로 채우기
3. 밀봉하고 30분에서 2시간 동안 우림 (또는 더 강렬한 맛을 위해 더 오래)
4. 따르고 즐기기; 추가 라운드를 위해 뜨거운 물로 다시 채우기

메모: 이 간편한 방법은 사무실이나 여행 중에 적합하며, 하루 종일 일관되게 부드럽고 달콤하며 풍부한 컵을 제공합니다. 특별 등급의 잎은 긴 시간 접촉해도 쓰지 않습니다.

서양식 (큰 주전자 또는 프렌치 프레스)

장비: 큰 주전자 (500-800ml), 프렌치 프레스 또는 인퓨저가 있는 대형 머그잔
잎 양: 500ml당 4-6그램
물 온도: 100°C (212°F)
우림 시간:

• 첫 번째 우림: 3-5분
• 다음 우림: 매 회마다 1-2분 추가

예상 수확량: 3-4회의 풍미 있는 우림
메모: 서양식 우림은 공부 스타일에서 가능한 섬세한 변화를 일부 포기하지만, 만족스럽고 강한 컵을 만들어 캐주얼한 즐거움이나 여러 손님들에게 동시에 제공하기에 적합합니다.

중요: 찬물 우림에는 권장되지 않음

푸 브릭 차의 특성 — 특히 황금 꽃 발효로부터의 유익한 화합물 — 은 뜨거운 물 추출을 통해 가장 잘 표현됩니다. 찬물 우림은 차의 전체 잠재력을 충분히 끌어내지 못하며, 평평하고 발달되지 않은 컵을 만들 수 있습니다. 최적의 경험을 위해 항상 새로 끓인 물을 사용하세요.

Storage Recommendations

Environment: Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, moisture, and temperature extremes. Ideal conditions range from 15-28°C (59-82°F) with moderate humidity (50-70%).

Ventilation: Fu brick tea benefits from gentle airflow. Avoid completely sealed containers; instead, use breathable paper wrapping, cloth bags, or traditional bamboo/wooden storage. This allows the tea to continue maturing while the golden flowers remain active.

Odor Isolation: Dark tea readily absorbs ambient aromas. Keep well away from spices, perfumes, cleaning products, and other strong-smelling substances. Dedicate a separate storage area or container exclusively for your heicha collection.

Handling: When breaking off portions for brewing, use a tea pick or knife; avoid excessive crumbling, which accelerates oxidation of unused portions.

Aging Potential: Under proper conditions, this special-grade Fuzhuan will continue developing complexity and smoothness for 15-20+ years. Periodic sampling every 1-2 years allows you to track its evolution and determine your personal preference point.