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 (37 reviews)

type: oolong

origin: china

caffeine: medium

price level: $$$$

Shui Xian, which translates to "Water Sprite," is an oolong produced in a similar style to Wuyi Oolongs. Therefore they share some similar traits, such as peachy-honey notes and a mineral "rock taste." This high-fired, medium grade version results in a rich tasting amber colored cup with the nuances of minerals, apricots and spice. Great for an everyday oolong option. Steep at 195°F for 2-3 minutes

Recent reviews

    • 

      This tea surprised me with the mellow taste, fruity scent and bold finish. There were notes of fruit which I enjoyed a lot. This has become my 'thinking' tea ....for sure.

    • W

      

      What a wonderful dark-mineral and toasty oolong. Perfect tea with some special 'BEES' adagio honey for a special treat in the afternoon. This is one of my favorite darker oolongs I have tried over the many years I have tried loose leaf tea..

    • GM

      

      A lovely roasted style oolong. Before a few years ago I thought of oolong as the tea you get in Chinese restaurants (in USA). Then I discovered the high mountains green oolongs of Taiwan (a completely different profile). And since then the wide variety of oolong teas. This one reminds me of classic oolongs from Chinese restaurants but more refined and nuanced in character. Slightly reminiscent of Hoji-cha from Japan (where I grew up). Good for 3 to 4 steepings, evolving with each turn. One of my current faves.

    • 

      The first loose leaf oolong I tried! I have a lot to try right now but it's my daily go to. Decently priced, and it really does have notes of rain. Refreshing for a hot tea

    • ET

      

      Oolong tea that has the "green" taste of a green tea. I can see why they call it "rain", because it does have that bit of "after rain" smell. Very evocative.

    • 

      This is an excellent simple base tea. It smells like roasted rice, like a genmaicha, though the taste is more mineral-like, as described with a broth-like mouthfeel. Very good. Would have this one again.

    • SC

      

      This is an earthy tea. I didn't taste any other flavors other than grass. Not horrible, but not something I would buy.

    • 

      I love the earthy mineral taste of this tea! One of my favorites. It's great hot or cold-brewed. Definitely a staple in my tea stash!

    • 

      This is a bold oolong that is good for multiple resteeps. It has a complex, unique flavor that is really nice.

    • 

      This is a delicious mineral-tasting oolong tea that retains its flavor over multiple steeps. I recommend this!

    • 

      A tasty, traditional Chinese oxidized oolong tea that brews to a lovely amber liquor. Comparable to higher fired Wuyi oolongs, definitely worth adding to the tea stash.

    • 

      I really wanted to love this, but I think I am just not a huge fan of oolongs, at least the very dark ones like this. I agree with the reviewer below me who said it tastes more like a black tea. I don't get all the mineral references (still a newbie); guess I am going to have to lick some rocks! ;)

    • MJ

      

      Tastes strongly like black tea to me. If you want a black tea with a lower caffeine content, this is the way to go!

    • 

      Subtle and cute. TBH only tried it cause it reminded me of my two fav MK characters. But hey it's good tho.

    • KK

      

      Very good smooth tasting middle of the road (cost wise) oolong tea. Close to the Masters Collection, but w/o the hefty price tag.

    • WF

      

      Had a very weak taste. Brewing it for longer didn't do much to help. Might work if you're looking for something a bit more subtle, but its nothing that fits with my tea palatte.

    • CK

      

      This is undoubtedly one of my favorite oolongs, second only to Wuyi Ensemble, also by Adagio. It's earthy and woodsy with a smoky, roasted flavor. It's simply delicious and I already know I'll be getting a larger size after this runs out.

    • 

      the shape of the tea leaves and the earthy woodsy smell out of the packet intrigued me. Solid Oolong.

    • 

      Very earthy tea. You have to find the perfect temp and leaf to water ratio to bring out the sweetness. Over all good oolong

    • 

      Great oolong blend! It's not nearly as mineral as some that I've tried, a really approachable tea for someone getting into oolong.

    • 

      This is a really solid tea, subtly sweet and not astringent at all. A little simple, but I think it would make a great everyday choice for an oolong lover

    • 

      Complex, minerally oolong that I loved. Sweeter flavors come out on later steeps.

    • 

      Mineral oolongs are so tasty to me. This had a strong mineral taste, with faint notes of fruit.

    • 

      This was a nice oolong but it didn't have to much of a wow factor for me.

    • LD

      

      I'm still on the fence whether I like oolongs or not, but this was quite a lovely cup! I definitely picked up on the mineral flavour people talk about, but it had a very nice, hard to describe taste. Added just a splash of milk and it improved both the mouthfeel and brought out the delicate flavours.

    • AW

      

      This made a strong, solid cup of oolong tea! Would definitely recommend if you're trying for an unflavored oolong!

    • 

      A nice dark Oolong. Scent of dark chocolate/coffee with a hint of mineral to my nose, cup tasted robust, minerals, with a dry, astringent finish.

    • GD

      

      Classic oolong smokiness nicely done. My husband's favorite tea. He brews the first cup with extra tea, shorter time, and then rebrews it for a second cup with more time brewing. I prefer it less strong the first time with no rebrew.

    • 

      This is a fantastic Oolong. I can't get enough of the rocky flavor. Personally, I would say that this tea is significantly nicer when brewed for a shorter period of time. 2 minutes at 195 degrees Fahrenheit does it for me.

    • 

      I found this tea easy to drink. Unlike some oolongs, I didn't find the flavor overpowering. It instead has a light toasted flavor. I did not taste any of the apricot flavor that's in the description.

    • 

      Great flavor. Earthy and smoky. Awesome and strong

    • 

      At first it was difficult to brew this correctly, but I found that using a high leaf to water ratio at around 180F brings out the smooth sweetness underlying an almost smoky rock/mineral flavor. It has a hint of spiced apricots in the aroma, and the smell of wet rocks after it rains. Really interesting tea.

    • 

      Extremely Lovely! One of my favorites! I make this in huge batches. Its even good iced (I know, sinful..) A lovely smooth richness. Nice and earthen. Mineraly. Everything I adore in a good tea.

    • 

      Lovely, earthy, smoky, rich smoothness! I can't commend this one enough for being absolutely decadent and delicious.

    • 

      I lvoe this tea...probably the best fujian oolong ive had

    • 

      Lovely and smokey. Very enjoyable for an affordable oolong

    • 

      Great oolong tea with nice spicy notes. Dry leaf smells slightly smoky to me. Nice daily drinker for me, and even better when brewed gongfu-style in a gaiwan. Just play with higher leaf-to-water ratios.