Botanical Dossier
Bei Dou vs Shui Xian
Bei Dou
Oolong Tea · China
Mineral · Floral · Roasted
Shui Xian
Oolong Tea · China
Woody · Floral · Mineral
| Attribute | Bei Dou | Shui Xian |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Oolong Tea | Oolong Tea |
| Origin | China | China |
| Region | Fujian (Wuyi) | Fujian (Wuyi) |
| Flavor | Mineral · Floral · Roasted | Woody · Floral · Mineral |
| Body | Medium | Medium |
| Caffeine | Medium (~30–50 mg) | Medium (~30–50 mg) |
| Oxidation | Medium | High |
| Roast | Medium | Medium |
| Brewing temp | 95–100°C | 95–100°C |
| Steep time | 1–2 min | 1–2 min |
| Re-steep | 3–6 times | 3–6 times |
Sensory Dissection
Flavor
Bei Dou
Bei Dou is a Wuyi rock tea cultivated from cuttings of Da Hong Pao's mother bushes, offering a direct taste of the original qidao heritage. The cup carries the classic yanyun mineral core with dark floral notes, roasted grain warmth, and a long structured finish. It tends to be slightly more savory and less overtly fruity than commercial Da Hong Pao blends, which is exactly why purists seek it out.
Shui Xian
Shui Xian is one of the oldest and most widely grown Wuyi rock teas, named for the narcissus flower it is said to resemble. The leaves are large and dark, and the cup carries a woody, mineral backbone with floral orchid notes and a smooth, lingering sweetness. Roasted examples add warm toasty depth, while the underlying 'yanyun' rock character keeps the finish clean and structured.
Preparation Protocol
Brewing
Bei Dou
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 3–6 times
Shui Xian
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 3–6 times
Biochemistry
Caffeine
Bei Dou
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Shui Xian
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Craft & Microclimate
Origin
Bei Dou
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
Bei Dou was propagated from Da Hong Pao mother-bush cuttings in the 1980s and grown in the Wuyi Zhengyan area.
Shui Xian
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
Shui Xian is grown throughout the Wuyi mountains and is a parent cultivar for many other rock teas.
Curator's Recommendation
Which one might you prefer?
There is no superior tea here — only distinct sensory journeys. Use your flavor memory and current mood to choose.
Choose Bei Dou if you like:
- Mineral
- Floral
- Roasted
Choose Shui Xian if you like:
- Woody
- Floral
- Mineral
Keep Exploring
Related teas to explore
Similar teas from both sides of this comparison.
