Buddha’s Hand tea, known in Chinese as 佛手 (Fo Shou), is a traditional aromatic oolong tea named after the Buddha’s hand citrus fruit, whose fragrance it is often compared to.
Unlike modern experimental teas, Fo Shou comes from long-established oolong traditions in Fujian and parts of Guangdong, where aromatic processing and semi-oxidation techniques have been refined over centuries.
The tea is prized not for heaviness or roast, but for its distinctive perfume-like character, often described as blending floral oolong structure with bright citrus and orchid fragrance.
In many cases, the name “Buddha’s Hand” refers both to the tea cultivar and to the aromatic profile it develops during processing and roasting, rather than any direct use of the fruit itself.
In the cup, it is typically smooth, fragrant, and elegant, with notes of citrus blossom, ripe pomelo peel, orchid, honeyed florals, light stone fruit, and a clean, uplifting finish that lingers gently on the palate.
