What is Wuyi rock tea (yancha)?
I keep seeing 'rock tea' and 'yancha' — what makes them different from other oolongs?
Yancha (岩茶, 'rock tea') comes from the steep cliffs of the Wuyi mountains in Fujian. The tea bushes grow rooted in cracks of mineral-rich rock — that terroir produces the signature 'rock rhyme' (yan yun), a deep mineral aftertaste with hints of stone fruit, charcoal, and dark wood. Yancha is heavily oxidized (60–80%) and traditionally roasted over charcoal for 20+ hours, giving it longevity and depth. Famous yancha include Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui, and Shui Xian.
— Yurii — 931 Tea, 931 Tea