Club Gathering Log (BTC-11) | Online Events: 23.10.2025, 26.10.2025 | by: Pink Luk & Nadi Biran
Following the Qiao Mu series of BTC-10, the second half of our 10th-edition Double Feature dives into the world of Guan Mu (灌木), or multi-stemmed shrub teas. Congratulations to Ofek, who successfully solved the grand concept connecting the two samplers (Trees vs. Non-Trees) and claimed the final prize! To explore this botanical category, we sourced two distinct regional pairs: a deep dive into the native seed-grown bushes of Fu'an, followed by a study of aromatic cultivars in Guangdong and Fujian.
1. Fu’an Lao Cong Cai Cha Red Tea 2025
Harvest: Spring 2025 | Cultivar: 群体种 Qúntǐ zhǒng
Sourced from 60-year-old lao cong bushes, this native seed-grown Cai Cha produces visibly smaller leaves than standard old arbor teas. Grown completely naturally, it offers a beautifully dense, classic red tea structure. This style of red tea making, Gong Fu Hong, is the traditional method used in white tea regions like Fu'an before the white tea boom of the early 2000s.
Tasting Notes: Sweet potato, plum, ripe banana, floral.
Winner of the Favorite Tea Award (Tie) 🥇
2. Fu’an Gongmei White Tea 2022
Harvest: Spring 2022 | Cultivar: 群体种 Qúntǐ zhǒng
Produced in Fan Keng Village from 30+ year old bushes. While Gongmei is often used just as a picking grade, here it refers to the native, rare Cai Cha cultivar - a stark contrast to the highly commercialized Da Bai or Da Hao cultivars dominating the trendy Fuding region. This was processed using natural sunlight only, with no roasting. We sourced this batch aged, exclusively for the club.
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, cloves, honeycomb, vanilla, chocolate.
3. Huang Guan Yin Tongmu Guan Yefang 2025
Harvest: Spring 2025 | Cultivar: 黄观音 - Huáng Guānyīn
Sourced in Tongmu Guan from 30-year-old bushes, this first-generation hybrid bushes of Tie Guan Yin and Huang Jin Gui is processed as a "Tongmu Red Tea" - similar to a classic Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong but unsmoked. It features a distinct bug-bitten mi xiang character, triggering a post-fermentation depth reminiscent of a high-end Taiwanese Red Wulong. Nadi is highly praising this tea, considering it our greatest finding in 2025.
Tasting Notes: Wild honey, brown sugar, yellow dates, cranberries.
Winner of the Favorite Tea Award (Tie) 🥇 & Winner of the Most Unique Tea Award 🏅
4. Bijia Jian Milan Xiang Dan Cong 2025
Harvest: Spring 2025 | Cultivar: 蜜蘭香 - Mì lán xiāng
Grown on the edge of Wudong Shan at Bijia Jian. The Dan Cong industry is currently struggling with extreme demand, leading to widespread pesticide use to mimic the commercial boom of Tie Guan Yin or Wuyi Yancha. Sourcing a genuinely clean, wild-leaning Milan Xiang (Honey Orchid) with this level of sticky mouthfeel is becoming increasingly difficult.
Tasting Notes: Passion fruit, cloves, mango, mint.
5. Daping Mitao Xiang Dan Cong 2025
Harvest: 05.04.2025 | Cultivar: 蜜桃香 - Mì táo xiāng | Altitude: 800m
Harvested from 30+ year old bushes and baked twice to lock in the distinct Mitao Xiang (Peach Scent) profile. It presents a much drier, wine-like structure with less upfront sweetness, making it an exceptional candidate for culinary pairing. During the live club gathering we compared this with No.4 side by hide.
Tasting Notes: Jasmine, rose, passion fruit, lemongrass.
The Botanical Breakdown
To fully understand the structural differences between these tea plants:
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喬木 - Qiáomù (Tree/Arbor): Features a prominent single trunk that can reach several meters in wild environments.
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小喬木 - Xiǎo qiáomù (Small Arbor): Has a clear central trunk but a smaller overall stature. Wuyi Shui Xian and Dan Cong Shui Xian (like Ba Xian 八仙) plants fall into this category when cultivated.
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灌木 - Guànmù (Shrub/Bush): Features multiple stems growing from the base with no obvious single trunk. They are typically pruned under 3 meters to maintain a clump-forming (cóngshēng) habit.
