Learning Wuyi Yancha: A Comprehensive Course on Yan Yun

For the past seven years, Yancha (Wuyi Rock Tea) has been the centerpiece of our wulong collection and a guiding benchmark for our growth in the world of Chinese wulong. No tea has captured more of our attention, research, and investment than Wuyi Yancha. Each year, we’ve introduced 4-6 new cultivars into our workshops and curated collections, refining our understanding of this extraordinary tea.

Over the past year, as we relocated to Fujian, we deepened our commitment to Yancha, expanding our sources and exploring rare and niche expressions of this celebrated tea. This year marks a milestone for us, with our Shui Xian earning first place in the official annual competition in Wuyi Shan. It is the perfect time to organize the knowledge we’ve gathered over the years and share our greatest passion through this innovative and original course.

This course is part of a larger local initiative of great importance, to raise awareness and promote sustainable cultivation practices in collaboration with tea growers. It also complements the meticulously curated 2025 Complete Yancha Box (included in the course)—a collection that tells the story of Wuyi Yancha in its full spectrum—from niche and aged teas to rare, cutting-edge editions that are nearly impossible to find, even in China.

During the course, we will delve into the history and craftsmanship behind Wuyi Shan, taste the new collection in various brewing methods, and explore why Yancha holds an unshakable position in the tea world today. Alongside the curated teas, participants will also have the opportunity to taste even rarer selections from our private collection, gaining a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances of this prestigious tea genre.

From ancient traditions to its modern legacy, this course is your gateway to understanding and professionally evaluating Yancha and wulong tea at large, as well as an opportunity to experience guided tastings of pretty rare and advanced teas.

The course consists of four 2-hour sessions, held online this coming spring 2025, and led by course curators Pink Luk and Nadi Biran. All sessions will be conducted in English.

Course Curriculum

Lesson 1: Foundations and Core Concepts of Yancha
  
Introduction: the history of Wuyi Shan and Yancha
  
What is Yan Yun 岩韻?
  
The role and significance of Cai Cha 菜茶
  
The classification system of Wuyi Yancha
  
The legacy of Da Hong Pao
Lesson 2: Terrior, Cultivar, and Tea Evaluation
  
The Wuyi Shan terroir
  
The four famous congs
  
Key Zheng Yan cultivar: Rou Gui
  
Evaluation under national standards in China
Lesson 3: Cultivar, Tea Evaluation and Tea Making
  
Key Zheng Yan cultivar: Shui Xian
  
Evaluation under national standards in China
  
The role of tea making in Yancha: aroma vs flavor
Lesson 4: Modern Yancha Exploration
  
The market value and impact of Tongmu
  
Competition tea: tasting 2024 award-winning Shui Xian
  
The importance of storage: tasting aged yan cha

The 2025 Complete Yancha Box is included in the course price and will be shipped to each participant in advance. An exclusive discount for members of our Blind Tasting Club.

The Complete Yancha Box is shipped directly from our warehouse in Xiamen (China). It's possible to upgrade to FedEx to ensure faster delivery all the way to your door.

For more information and registration, feel free to contact us.