Same Leaf, Different Roots: Exploring Oolong by Tree Age in Toronto

On May 31st, 2025, tea enthusiasts in Toronto gathered for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience centered on something rarely explored in-depth — the age of tea trees. Hosted at the Siru Plum Chinese Cultural Studio, this advanced-level oolong session invited guests to dive deep into the world of Shuixian Oolong, comparing how the age of tea trees — from under 30 years to over 70 — shapes the aroma, flavor, and structure of a brew.

Rather than traveling between mountains or provinces, this tea journey traveled through time — all within the same cultivars and regions, but from trees of varying ages.

🍃 Six Teas, One Craft, Three Generations of Trees
The tasting was carefully designed around two Shuixian oolong varieties — one from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian and the other from Fenghuang (Phoenix) Town in Guangdong. Each region contributed teas from:

Young trees (under 30 years)

Mid-aged trees (30–70 years)

Old trees (70+ years)

🫖 How Age Shows in the Cup
Guests first sampled teas from younger trees — lively, fresh, with bright florals and high aroma. The mid-aged teas brought more structure, depth, and layered sweetness. Finally, the old-tree teas — rich, grounding, and full-bodied — left a lasting impression, with their mineral complexity, mellow warmth, and long aftertaste.

Each round brought thoughtful discussion about not just taste, but also how root depth, tree vitality, and maturity influence mouthfeel and qi (tea energy).

🌱 More Than a Tasting — A Botanical Dialogue
Led by an experienced tea guide, the event invited everyone to look beyond roast level or origin, and focus on an often overlooked aspect: how the age of the plant itself infuses the tea with different characteristics.

From the crisp clarity of teas from Shengming and Xingjing Villages to the aged poise of those from Daping and Tianxin, it was a rare opportunity to explore terroir and time side by side.

Who Joined Us?
This unique tasting brought together:

Curious tea lovers who wanted to understand how age shapes flavor

Serious oolong drinkers learning how to evaluate tea with a refined palate

Collectors and enthusiasts seeking depth in both taste and knowledge

In the end, it was more than a tasting — it was a conversation with nature, with time, and with the roots that quietly shape the soul of every cup.

We look forward to hosting more explorations of tea’s many dimensions. Until then, keep brewing with intention.