Affiliate Link Disclosure
Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase at no extra cost to you.
Yu Yan Rou Gui Tea Review Summary
Overall Rating: ★★★★✬ (4.5 /5)
Aroma: ★★★★✬( 4.5/5)
Taste: ★★★★★( 5/5)
Packaging: ★★★★☆ ( 4/5)
Value for Money: ★★★★✬ ( 4.5/5)
Brand: Yu Yan
Blend: Rou Gui Wuyi Rock Tea
Origin: Wuyi Mountains, China
Caffeine: Medium
Price: ~USD 13/ packet (8g)
Brew: 95°C, pour immediately
Pairing: Apples/ seafood
Where to buy: Yu Yan website, In-store
Yu Yan Rou Gui Detailed Tea Review
Overview:
Today, we’re reviewing Yu Yan’s award-winning Rou Gui, one of the most well-known cultivars of Wuyi Rock Tea (Yancha).
This oolong is grown in the mineral-rich soils of the Wuyi Mountains in China, giving it that signature “rocky” or yan yun (岩韵) character: the distinct mineral depth that defines this tea type.
Rou Gui literally means “Cinnamon” in Chinese, and it’s famous for its cinnamon-like warmth, creamy mouthfeel, and floral undertones.
This particular tea from Yu Yan, a Malaysian brand renowned for its rock teas, absolutely lived up to its award-winning reputation. It might even be one of the best oolongs I’ve ever tasted.
In this article, we will explore:
- Brewing Conditions
- Aroma
- Taste
- Packaging
- Value for Money
- Caffeine Level
- Food Pairings
- About
- Where to Buy
Brewing Conditions:
The Rou Gui tea is best brewed in a gaiwan, or a small teapot, at a temperature of 95°C. Brew the tea Gongfu style to get the best results. You want to pour the tea immediately instead of steeping it.
You can drink multiple infusions of this tea. However, for the 3rd infusion and beyond, you can try using a slightly lower temperature.
Aroma (4.5/5):
The dry leaves have a very pleasing, deep roasted scent, similar to roasted oolongs I’ve tried before. Even after multiple infusions, the aroma stays strong and enticing.
Taste (5/5):
The first infusion burst with woody, nutty, and vegetal flavors. It was somehow intense but light at the same time.
There was a natural sweetness and a hint of caramel in the aroma that complemented the smooth texture beautifully.
The aftertaste was gently bitter, balancing out the richness.
It’s honestly unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before. It felt like “drinking a beautiful liquid tree in the forest.”
I liked the second infusion even better. All the lovely woody, smoky, caramelly flavors were still there, but a little more mellowed out. I liked this infusion the best.
By the third infusion, the tea became more bitter. This was because I used a higher temperature. I would strongly recommend using a temperature of 95°C or less for all infusions.
Packaging and Sourcing (4/5):
The tea comes packaged in a beautiful pale yellow aluminium packet with a minimalist design. The tea’s aroma is preserved very well.
It says on the packet that if you store it properly, in a dark, cool place, you can even drink the tea in 10 years!
The tea itself is in a sustainable aluminium packet. However, the box of 12 teas was made out of plastic, not an environmentally friendly option.
The tea is sourced from the Wuyi Mountains of China, where Yu Yan grows their own tea.
Value for Money (4.5/5):
From their website, it seems you can only buy this tea in boxes of 12, which costs ~USD160. This brings the price of an 8g packet to ~USD 13.
The teas are meant to be drunk as soon as the packet is opened. You can drink at least 3-4 infusions among 3-4 people. For the quality of tea, I would say it’s absolutely worth it and a great value for money.
Caffeine Level: Medium
Oolong tea generally has less caffeine than black tea, but more than green tea. After drinking three cups of this tea, I felt very alert and caffeinated, but not in a jittery way, like you would get from coffee.
However, there was no specific mention of caffeine content.
I would recommend drinking this tea in the morning and afternoon.
Food Pairings:
I believe the Rou Gui tea would be best enjoyed on its own to fully immerse yourself in the flavors.
However, you could also pair the tea with light fruits like apples that would complement the cinnamon notes. This tea would also pair well with seafood.
About the brand | Yu Yan
Yu Yan is a heritage tea brand that’s been around since 1904, with tea gardens spread across the misty slopes of Wuyi Mountain, which is the birthplace of Wuyi rock tea.
The brand is led by Madam Fan Youmei, who comes from a family of tea masters and still uses the traditional charcoal roasting method to bring out that signature aroma and depth of flavor.
In 2005, her daughter Madam Yu Xi Hua brought Yu Yan’s legacy to Malaysia, opening the Yu Yan Dahongpao tea shop on Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur.
Today, the brand continues to share its craft through its three specialties: Wuyi Rock Tea, Jianyang White Tea, and Tongmuguan Black Tea.
Where to Buy:
You can buy the Yu Yan Rou Gui tea in-store in KL, Malaysia, or from their website. However, it seems they do not have international shipping at the moment.
But if you live outside Malaysia, you can try messaging them on Facebook or Instagram to see if they will ship.
Some Yu Yan teas are also available on Lazada, although I’m not sure if they are official sellers.
