Fenghuang Dan Cong oolong tea

One of the rare tea kinds to come from the Guangdong province is an Oolong tea known as Fenghuang Dan Cong. It prospers atop the Phoenix Mountain near Chaozhou, where the area experiences high humidity and warm weather. Fenghuang Dan Cong is found on the part of the mountain that is located at an altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level. The tea leaves are big and very dry, with a dark brown, slightly maroon colour. After brewing, the liquid appears glossy with a golden hue. Its aroma is strongly reminiscent of orchids, and its taste and texture are sheeny.

There’s a long history behind the Phoenix tea. It is said that during the period of the Western Song Dynasty, the emperor travelled to Chao-shanba and passed by the Phoenix Mountain. The emperor felt thirsty all of a sudden, so his servant plucked some tea leaves from the tea trees and prepared a beverage to serve him. The emperor’s thirst has been satisfied in an instant with the tea, and it brought him great joy. Because the shape of the tea leaf was similar to a bird’s beak, it was also known as ‘Beak Tea’. It has been widely cultivated ever since. The tea is also called Song Cultivar because it has been planted and grown since the Song Dynasty, and it has survived for over 900 years to this day. Since the Ming Dynasty, emperors have cherished this tea.

To prepare Dan Cong tea, use a Yixing teapot or a Gaiwan and water that is slightly cooler than boiling, around 90 °C – 95 °C, for steeping. Steep it for 40 – 45 seconds. Dan Cong tea is quite great to brew, especially when using premium types with exquisite and entire leaves. They have an incredibly pure, potent, and refined fragrance and flavour.