Q&A
Questions, answered.
Common questions we get from customers and tea drinkers, with answers from Sister Qin and the Jinrui Team. Have a question that isn't here? Email us at hello@gravitea.co — if it's worth answering for everyone, we'll add it.
Where does your tea come from?
All of it from our family's workshop in Wuyishan, in northern Fujian Province, China. Sister Qin runs the workshop. Our family has been on the mountain for four generations.
Why is your tea more expensive than supermarket Wuyi rock tea?
Two reasons. First, real Wuyi rock tea (yancha) can only legally be produced inside a small protected zone on Wuyi Mountain — the supply is limited by law. Most "Wuyi" tea sold internationally is grown outside this zone, then labeled creatively. Second, Sister Qin charcoal-roasts every batch by hand, sometimes through ten or twelve cycles spread across a year. That's months of additional labor per kilogram. Our pricing reflects what's in the cup, not what's on the label.
How should I brew Wuyi rock tea if I'm new to gongfu?
Start with: 5 grams of leaf in a 100ml gaiwan, water at 95°C. Quick rinse (5 seconds, discard the liquid). Then 8 seconds for the first infusion, 10 for the second, 12 for the third, building up by a few seconds each round. A good rock tea will give you eight to twelve infusions before it tires out. Don't be afraid to over-steep — these teas can take it.
What's the difference between your three Wuyi rock teas — Da Hong Pao, Rougui, and Shuixian?
Different cultivars, different flavor profiles, all from the same mountain.
- Da Hong Pao (Red Robe): the classic. Balanced, rich, deeply mineral. The "king" of Wuyi rock tea. Good first-time choice.
- Rougui: named after cinnamon — deeper, spicier, bolder. Has the highest caffeine of the three. Coffee drinkers tend to gravitate here.
- Shuixian (Narcissus): the most floral. Long-bodied, orchid-like aroma. Especially rewarding when aged — our 2009 vintage is a good example.
How long does loose-leaf rock tea keep?
Stored properly — sealed, away from light, away from strong odors — Wuyi rock tea improves for the first 6–12 months after roasting and then plateaus for years. Aged Wuyi (5+ years) develops new dimensions: stone fruit, dark honey, a deepened body. Sister Qin's library teas are intentionally aged for decades.
Will your tea make me jittery like coffee?
Probably not. Wuyi rock tea contains caffeine — Rougui has the most, around 3.5% — but it also contains L-theanine and polyphenols that smooth the curve. Most drinkers describe it as a steady, clear lift over 2–3 hours rather than coffee's spike-and-crash. If you're caffeine-sensitive, drink Shuixian (lowest caffeine) and start with western brewing parameters (lower leaf ratio, longer steep).
How do you ship from China? Are there import duties?
We ship via tracked international post or DHL depending on order size. Most U.S. orders arrive in 7–14 days. Tea is duty-free into the U.S. under current rules — no customs surprises. Each order is sealed at our packing table in Wuyishan; no third-party warehouse handling.
Can I visit the workshop in Wuyishan?
Yes. Email us at hello@gravitea.co with your travel dates. The workshop is in a village inside the protected Wuyi production zone — accessible from Xiamen or Fuzhou by train or car. Sister Qin will pour for you.
Do you do wholesale?
Limited wholesale relationships with tea bars, restaurants, and retail tea shops that share our standards. Email hello@gravitea.co with what you'd like to carry and we'll send pricing.
Have a question that isn't here?
Write us at hello@gravitea.co. We answer everything.
— The Jinrui Team