Wuyi tea

Wuyi tea
Da Hong Pao, a typical Wuyi tea
Chinese	武夷茶
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wǔyí chá Southern Min Hokkien POJ Bú-î Tê
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese	武夷岩茶
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wǔyí Yánchá Southern Min Hokkien POJ Bú-î gâm-tê

Wuyi tea, also known by the trade name Bohea in English, is a category of black and oolong teas grown in the Wuyi Mountains of northern Fujian, China. The Wuyi region produces a number of well-known teas, including Lapsang souchong and Da Hong Pao.^[1][2] It has historically been one of the major centers of tea production in Fujian province and globally. Both black tea (excluding brick tea) and oolong tea were likely invented in the Wuyi region, which continues to produce both styles today.^[3][4]

Wuyi teas are prized because of the distinctive terroir of the mountainsides where they are grown.^{[citation needed]} Because of the lower yield produced by tea bushes in such terrain, the resulting tea can be quite costly. Tea made from the leaves of older bushes is particularly expensive and limited in quantity. Da Hong Pao, collected from what are said to be the original bushes of its variety, is among the most expensive teas in the world, and more valuable by weight than gold.^[5] Commercial-grade tea grown at lower elevations in the area accounts for the majority of the Wuyi tea available on the market.^[6] Commercial Da Hong Pao is made from cuttings of the original plants.^[5]

Among Wuyi teas, certain cultivars are given the special designation “cong” (枞), a term that highlights their distinctive characteristics and lineage. The term “Famous Bush” (名枞), also known as “Single Bush” (单枞), refers to a category of oolong teas within this tradition.^[7] These teas are crafted with a distinctive style, possess a unique charm, and are of exceptional quality. Each “cong” originates from individual tea plants with singular traits, embodying the diverse potential of Wuyi tea cultivation.