Rock tea does not belong to the black tea category.

Rock tea belongs to oolong tea, which is a collective name for all oolong teas collected in Wuyi Mountain, while black tea is an independent fully fermented tea. There are various types of rock tea with rich aromas, including rare teas such as Dahongpao, Narcissus, and Mingcong. It does not require fresh leaves to be picked tender. After the leaves develop, they are oxidized by killing enzymes to form a semi-fermented character.

Rock tea is distributed in Wuyi Mountain Tea Area, northwest Fujian Province. The climate is mild, with warm winters and cool summers, and abundant rainfall. According to different growing conditions, it can be divided into Zhengyan, Banyan and Zhoucha.

Zhengyan is produced in Huiyuankeng, Niulankeng, Dakengkou, Liuxiangjian, Wuyuanjian and other places at high altitudes. Produced in the low-altitude Qingshi Rock, Bishite Rock, Matou Rock, Shizikou and Jiuqu River areas below Sandakeng, it is a semi-rock.

As for Chongxi and Huangbaixi, the tea produced in the sandy soil tea gardens on both sides of Wuyi Rock is called continent tea. In 2002, Wuyi rock tea was listed as a national geographical indication protected product.

Quality characteristics of rock tea:

Wuyi rock tea is the ancestor of oolong tea. It originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is made from a special type of rock tea under special microclimate conditions and suitable varieties. Teas formed by craftsmanship. Fresh leaves require all new shoots to be fully mature, commonly known as open-face harvesting. After being cured by enzymatic oxidation, they have been non-enzymatically oxidized to form semi-fermented tea.

The shape is curved, and the color is dark brown or dark green, or sand green, or greenish brown, or precious color. The cords are tightly knotted, either thin or strong, and the soup is orange to golden in color, clear and bright. The aroma is floral and fruity, rich and long, clear and distant, or like peach, orchid, osmanthus, frankincense, etc. The taste is mellow, smooth and sweet, with a unique "rock charm".

The bottom of the leaves is soft and bright, with green leaves and red edges, or red spots appear on the edges of the leaves. Different tea tree varieties also have different varietal characteristics.