Shuixian sold as coming from old bushes, associated with the sensory term congwei; tree age, garden and manufacturing claims need their own evidence.
Wood, bamboo- or rice-dumpling-leaf, and moss-like impressions are common descriptions of congwei. They are sensory comparisons rather than proof that moss transfers its aroma into tea; intensity, bitterness and body vary with the lot.
Lao Cong has no official definition, and Chinese industry articles say so explicitly. Published thresholds include 50 years (attributed to Chen Dehua and repeated by vendors), 'over 60 years' (Chinese trade articles), 70 years, 100 years, and in some vendor copy as little as 15 to 20 years. One Wuyi producer page gives 20, 50 to 60 and 70 to 80 years in different paragraphs. Treat the label as a claim to verify, not a grade.
老枞 and 老丛 are used interchangeably. 高枞 ('tall/high bush') is a further marketing tier that some sellers place above Lao Cong, but I found no authoritative definition of its age. Sellers also tie labels to cong wei (moss/wood) aroma rather than verified age, and a 2022 academic study classified samples by aroma type, not by tree age.
Lao Cong describes the plant material in trade usage, whereas an aged tea has a separate history after manufacture. A young harvest from old bushes and an old stored harvest are different things. The sources cited here do not establish one binding age threshold; a producer’s age claim needs its own evidence rather than a number inferred from flavour.
A field study of Shuixian compared regional and pruning effects on fresh-leaf aroma metabolites and found the regional effect stronger in its design. That does not prove pruning irrelevant everywhere, or establish tree age from chemistry.
Wuyi University reports a 2026 study combining sensory evaluation, metabolomics and computational modelling in Lao Cong Shuixian. In the studied grades, higher-quality samples showed stronger bitterness/astringency alongside fuller taste. This challenges the simple promise that all old-bush tea must be low in astringency. The modelling proposes mechanisms; it does not authenticate age or prove a universal sequence of human taste perception.
Price ranks compare recorded retail offers for the same tea, including offers outside the current delivery filter. Shipping and import charges are excluded.
| Product | Vendor | Price | Per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
China Fujian Zhengyan Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong Tea
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
What-ChaSelected destinations |
£15.05 / 100 g | $20.09 £15.05 / 100 g ≈ $1.61 a session |
| Wuyi Laocong Shuixian Oolong | TeewaldSelected destinations |
€8.50 / 40 g | $23.83 €21.25 / 100 g ≈ $1.91 a session |
Lao Cong Shui Xian (2025)
Details and price notesCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
Shop base currency GBP. Zero-rated UK VAT on loose tea; excludes shipping. |
Curious TeaWorldwide |
£11.50 / 50 g | $30.70 £23.00 / 100 g ≈ $2.46 a session |
Wu Yi Old Bush Shui Xian Oolong
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
ChawangshopWorldwide |
$8.00 / 25 g | $32.00 ≈ $2.56 a session |
Wuyi Rock Oolong - Shui Xian
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
Beautiful Taiwan Tea CompanyWorldwide |
$45.99 / 75 g | $61.32 ≈ $4.91 a session |
2025 Wuyi Laocong Shuixian (Old Bush Narcissus) Rock Oolong (50 g)
Details and price notesCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
Shop base currency USD. The seller's pages do not state whether this price includes tax. Excludes shipping. |
Seven CupsWorldwide |
$32.20 / 50 g | $64.40 ≈ $5.15 a session |
Laocong Shuixian Old Bush Narcissus (2025)
Details and price notesCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
Shop base currency USD; promotional price; regular price $20.50 shown. The seller's pages do not state whether this price includes tax. Excludes shipping. |
Seven CupsWorldwide |
$16.40 / 25 g | $65.60 ≈ $5.25 a session |
2025 Lian Hua Feng Lao Cong Shui Xian Yancha (30 g)
Details and price notesCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
30 g pouch (variation 4133, gross price including 7% Polish tea VAT); 50 g (132.61 PLN) and 100 g (257.50 PLN) packs also available. |
TheTeaWorldwide |
PLN 81.11 / 30 g | $69.28 PLN 270.37 / 100 g ≈ $5.54 a session |
| 2025 Lian Hua Feng Lao Cong Shui Xian Yancha | TheTeaWorldwide |
€33.15 / 50 g | $74.36 €66.30 / 100 g ≈ $5.95 a session |
Lao Cong Shui Xian
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
Old Ways Tea CompanySelected destinations |
$21.53 / 24 g | $89.71 ≈ $7.18 a session |
Wuyi Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong Tea
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
ChawangshopWorldwide |
$24.00 / 25 g | $96.00 ≈ $7.68 a session |
Wu San Di Lao Cong
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
Old Ways Tea CompanySelected destinations |
$36.16 / 24 g | $150.67 ≈ $12.05 a session |
Master Xu's Ancient Tree Shui Xian
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
Postcard TeasWorldwide |
£25.95 / 20 g | $173.17 £129.75 / 100 g ≈ $13.85 a session |
| Tree Fairy from Wusandi | MeeteaSelected destinations |
CZK 320.00 / 8.5 g | $173.54 CZK 3,765 / 100 g ≈ $13.88 a session |
Jin Jing Jian Zuhuo Lao Cong
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
Old Ways Tea CompanySelected destinations |
$55.20 / 24 g | $230.00 ≈ $18.40 a session |
| Lao Cong Shui Xian | Länggass-TeeSelected destinations |
CHF 95.00 / 50 g | $230.69 CHF 190.00 / 100 g ≈ $18.45 a session |
100 years Lao Cong Shui Xian
DetailsCompare the details Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.
|
The Essence of TeaWorldwide |
$22.00 / 8 g | $275.00 ≈ $22.00 a session |
Prices recorded on the dates checked. Conversions use ECB rates dated 2026-10-20; original prices appear alongside. Origin, age and cultivar are stated by the vendor.
| Product | Vendor | Channel | per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Fujian Zhengyan Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong Tea | What-Cha | International retail | $20.09 |
| Wuyi Laocong Shuixian Oolong | Teewald | International retail | $23.83 |
| Lao Cong Shui Xian (2025) | Curious Tea | International retail | $30.70 |
| Wu Yi Old Bush Shui Xian Oolong | Chawangshop | International retail | $32.00 |
| Wuyi Rock Oolong - Shui Xian | Beautiful Taiwan Tea Company | International retail | $61.32 |
| 2025 Wuyi Laocong Shuixian (Old Bush Narcissus) Rock Oolong (50 g) | Seven Cups | International retail | $64.40 |
| Laocong Shuixian Old Bush Narcissus (2025) | Seven Cups | International retail | $65.60 |
| 2025 Lian Hua Feng Lao Cong Shui Xian Yancha (30 g) | TheTea | International retail | $69.28 |
| 2025 Lian Hua Feng Lao Cong Shui Xian Yancha | TheTea | International retail | $74.36 |
| Lao Cong Shui Xian | Old Ways Tea Company | International retail | $89.71 |
| Wuyi Lao Cong Shui Xian Oolong Tea | Chawangshop | International retail | $96.00 |
| Wu San Di Lao Cong | Old Ways Tea Company | International retail | $150.67 |
| Master Xu's Ancient Tree Shui Xian | Postcard Teas | International retail | $173.17 |
| Tree Fairy from Wusandi | Meetea | International retail | $173.54 |
| Jin Jing Jian Zuhuo Lao Cong | Old Ways Tea Company | International retail | $230.00 |
| Lao Cong Shui Xian | Länggass-Tee | International retail | $230.69 |
| 100 years Lao Cong Shui Xian | The Essence of Tea | International retail | $275.00 |
