The 四大名丛 sì dà míng cóng or the 4 Great Bushes of Wuyi, is a collection of four classic 岩茶 yánchá or rock oolong from the Wuyi Mountains in Northern Fujian.  This collection, all grown and processed by the Yue family, not only provides an opportunity to taste and compare these historically significant and prized teas, but to also experience the dynamic range of character expression found in the world of rock oolong.  Cultivar characteristics, oxidation, and roast levels differentials all invite a diversity of observation, intrigue, insight, and enjoyment.

The big 4 are:

White Rooster Crest / Bai Ji Guan | Big Red Robe / Da Hong Pao | Iron Arhat / Tie Luo Han | Golden Water Turtle / Shui Jin Gui

Not in the big four, yet significant to the modern world of Wuyi rock oolongs is the prestigious style of Old Bush Shui Xian, also included in this set.

This standard box set includes two 7 gram packets of each one of the big four, and one 7 gram packet of Old Bush Shui Xian; 9 packets in total.

The Yue Family

The Yue family is our connection to well crafted and unpretentious 岩茶 yánchá or rock oolong.  These remarkable teas hail from the Wuyi Mountains, the site of a UNESCO world heritage site that features stunning (previously volcanic) mountain crags that stand as a kingdom above lush forests, valleys, rivers, and springs.  The mineral profile and acidity in these rocks and soil brings to life brilliant tea cultivars fostered for generations.  While the scenic park's teas demand the highest prices, the price of admission to this club has become more elitist over the years.  Incredible rock oolong in similar and proximal environs isn't impossible to be found upon careful searching.

photo taken during our 2019 adventures to the area

During our latest trip to Wuyishan, we forged relations with the Yue family, an established greater Wuyi area tea family that tends to 8 acres of tea gardens just outside the Wuyishan Forest Park 森林公园 武夷山, another preserve located upstream just west of the more famous scenic area; north of Tongmu village. The Wuyishan Forest Park hosts a rich ecosystem of rare species of flora and fauna, old-growth forests, waterfalls, and shares the same volcanic mountain range as the scenic area, sitting at a similar elevation.

When asked about the specifics of their location and its terroir, they responded:

We are located at an altitude of 457 meters in 山口自然村 Shānkǒu Natural Village, with 吴三地 Wu Sandi to the west, located on the windward slope of the Wuyi Mountains, with sufficient precipitation, coupled with dense vegetation, sufficient evaporation, and high humidity. Heavy, readily forming clouds with mist create a warm and humid semi-shady environment with more scattered light suitable for the growth of tea trees. In addition, the soil in the mountain pass is weathered gravel suitable for the growth of tea trees. The soil has good permeability and high mineral content, which makes the growth of tea trees reach an ideal level.

In an industry fraught with newcomers claiming mastery of marketable + popular styles after just a handful of years, the Yue family has been honing their yancha craft for 3 generations. Yue Jun’s grandmother was the first to begin growing and processing tea in the township of 洋庄 Yángzhuāng. It was her who planted their original 奇丹 Qídān Da Hong Pao bushes, their High Bush Shui Xian, as well as others.

Also noteworty is that the Yue family's work in Tea has been matrilineal, a line of female "tea bosses" in an industry dominated by good ol boys.  Tea in Chinese society might be as old school as you can get, and deals can often be colored by a distinct machismo, a kind of patriarchal old guard influence that can seem inextricable from the eastern tea table, so much so that working with the Yue family is always refreshing.