Anxi Rou Gui安渓肉桂

A Rare Rougui Oolong Tea from Anxi

Anxi Rougui is a tea produced in Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China.

Tea enthusiasts may immediately think of Tie Guan Yin when they hear "Anxi." Anxi is famous for Tie Guan Yin, and I have visited there many times to source it.

While visiting tea-producing areas for Tie Guan Yin, I discovered that many Rougui tea trees were cultivated in Daping Village, Anxi County, and the quality was excellent. One of the producers I met there could manage his tea according to Japanese standards. We also conducted tests for about 400 types of pesticides to confirm it meets Japanese standards, which allowed us to proceed with sourcing.

Named Rougui for Its Cinnamon-Like Aroma

Rougui (肉桂) might be an unfamiliar term, but it is the name of a species in the Lauraceae family, used as a source for spices such as cinnamon and cassia.

The "Rougui" in Anxi Rougui refers to the tea variety, named for its cassia-like aroma.

Our Anxi Rougui is slightly more heavily roasted, featuring a soft cassia-like aroma and a sweet chestnut-like fragrance.

Slow-growing Tea with a Strong Aftertaste

Rougui is known for its slow sprouting compared to other Anxi varieties such as Maoxie, Huangjingui, and Benshan. In my experience, growth speed is directly related to aftertaste — the slower the growth, the deeper and richer the finish.

For example, Maoxie, known for its rapid growth, has a noticeably lighter aftertaste.

Rougui, by virtue of its variety characteristics, has a strong aftertaste and provides a deeply satisfying drinking experience.