Ba Ya Qi Lan

Ba Ya Qi Lan – Oolong Tea

Origin: China

Infusion Temperature: 90-95° Celsius

Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes

Serving Size: 2-4 grams/200 ml

Nestled in the lesser known reaches of Zhangzhou County in Fujian, China, Ba Ya Qi Lan is an exceptional yet little known oolong. While Fujian is world-famous for iconic teas like Tie Guan Yin and Wuyi Rock Oolongs, it still holds many hidden gems teas that remain in the shadows not for lack of quality, but simply due to the dominance of market trends and branding. Ba Ya Qi Lan is one such treasure: underappreciated, richly nuanced, and crafted with deep devotion.

This rare oolong is produced at 800 meters above sea level by the Zhou family, a multigenerational tea-growing lineage whose work has been recognized with numerous provincial award and harvest during the spring.

Like all high-quality oolongs, Ba Ya Qi Lan undergoes a meticulous, time-intensive process. For their spring and autumn harvests, the Zhou family camps in the mountains for up to two weeks, overseeing each phase from hand-picking to final drying. What truly sets their production apart is their rare commitment to using lychee wood-fired ovens for the tea’s final roasting a traditional technique almost lost in modern times. This old-world method lends the tea a distinctive warmth, depth, and authenticity that modern equipment cannot replicate.

Ba Ya Qi Lan is a tea of depth and evolution. Properly brewed, it reveals a remarkable range of aromatic and flavor notes that shift across multiple infusions. The tea opens with lightly roasted and caramelized notes, followed by succulent floral tones of peach, lychee, and orchid. Its dynamic profile offers a layered tasting experience, making it ideal for those who appreciate teas that unfold gradually and reward attention. The body is round and smooth, with a lingering finish that evokes both the fire of its roasting and the floral delicacy of its origin.

Brewing Recommendations:

• Warm your teapot or gaiwan by rinsing it with hot water, then discard the water.
• Rinse the leaves adding the tea leaves to your preheated vessel.
• Pour a small amount of hot water over the leaves, just enough to cover them.
• Immediately pour off this rinse water. This step washes the leaves and helps them start to open up.

Gong Fu Cha Traditional Infusion Chinese Method:

• Water temperature: 90-95°C
• Tea quantity: 2-4 grams for 100-200 ml of water
• Steeping time: 20-40 seconds
• For the second and following infusions, add hot water and increase the steeping time by about 10-30 seconds each time.
• Suitable for up to 8 infusions, each unveiling new aromatic dimensions.

Western Style Infusion Method:

• Water temperature: 90-95°C
• Tea quantity: 2-4 grams for 200 ml of water
• Steeping time: 2-3 minutes
• Suitable for up to 2-3 infusions.

We highly recommend using soft, low-mineral water to fully express the tea’s delicate aromatics and layered flavors.

Ba Ya Qi Lan is a true reflection of artisanal care, regional identity, and the quiet beauty of lesser-known cultivars. It is a tea that resists trends, telling a deeper story of family, land, and craft passed down through generations. This oolong is part of our Premium Selection, chosen for its purity, traceability, and the rich human connection behind every leaf.