Botanical Dossier
Qi Lan vs Rou Gui
Qi Lan
Oolong Tea · China
Floral · Honeyed · Mineral
Rou Gui
Oolong Tea · China
Spicy · Roasted · Mineral
| Attribute | Qi Lan | Rou Gui |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Oolong Tea | Oolong Tea |
| Origin | China | China |
| Region | Fujian (Wuyi) | Fujian (Wuyi) |
| Flavor | Floral · Honeyed · Mineral | Spicy · Roasted · Mineral |
| Body | Medium | Strong |
| Caffeine | Medium (~30–50 mg) | Medium (~30–50 mg) |
| Oxidation | Medium | High |
| Roast | Medium | High |
| 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
Qi Lan
Qi Lan, 'rare orchid', is a fragrant Wuyi rock tea prized for its orchid-blossom aroma layered over the classic mineral rock character. Compared with the more roasted Rou Gui or Shui Xian, Qi Lan often shows a brighter floral lift with honeyed sweetness and a clean, cooling finish. It is a favorite among drinkers who want Wuyi structure without heavy charcoal roast dominating the cup.
Rou Gui
Rou Gui is a popular Wuyi rock tea named for the Chinese cassia spice tree. The cup is warmly aromatic with a distinctive sweet-spicy character — think cinnamon bark and toasted grain — layered over dark mineral and dried fruit depth. A medium-to-high roast rounds the edges, giving a smooth, warming finish that holds up across many steeps.
Preparation Protocol
Brewing
Qi Lan
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 3–6 times
Rou Gui
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 3–6 times
Biochemistry
Caffeine
Qi Lan
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Rou Gui
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Craft & Microclimate
Origin
Qi Lan
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
Qi Lan is a traditional Wuyi yancha cultivar, grown across the Zhengyan core zone and surrounding Wuyi mountains.
Rou Gui
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
Rou Gui has grown in the Wuyi mountains for centuries and is now one of the most sought-after yancha cultivars.
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 Qi Lan if you like:
- Floral
- Honeyed
- Mineral
Choose Rou Gui if you like:
- Spicy
- Roasted
- Mineral
Keep Exploring
Related teas to explore
Similar teas from both sides of this comparison.
