Sweet, nutty, and floral balanced by a slight minerality, this Dong Fang Hong Phoenix Dancong Oolong is a beautifully complex and sweet Phoenix Oolong cultivar.
This Dong Fang Hong cultivar is a precious flower-honey fragrance-type Dancong tea, selected from the natural hybrids of the Phoenix Shui Xian variety in the Wudong Mountain area. The mother tree is over 700 years old, with only three second-generation trees remaining. The tea thrives best at altitudes above 800 meters in subtropical regions south of central Guangdong.
The tea offers a complex and nutty taste with a pronounced honey sweetness reminiscent of honey candied nuts and a strong returning sweetness (hui gan). The medium bodied tea has a silky texture that likes to sit at the sides of your mouth and leaves a lingering floral aftertaste in the nose and throat long after drinking. It is exceptionally durable through multiple infusions, embodying the unique “mountain charm” characteristic of teas from high-altitude ancient tea trees.
To Brew: Use a 90ml gaiwan with 5 grams of tea leaves. First, give the tea a quick rinse with 195°F (91°C)water. Then steep the tea for its first infusion for 15 seconds. For following infusions, only steep for 1-2 seconds until the 6-7th infusion. After the 7th infusion steep for 1 second longer than previous infusions in order to enjoy up to 12 brews.
This tea is best when enjoyed slowly alongside snacks of a meal. Like many other Phoenix Oolongs, the astringency and half-cooked nature of the tea can make the stomach feel uncomfortable when drank too fast or without accompanying food. The strong flavors of the tea can hold up against food, and its sweet and refreshing profile helps balance out any heavy dishes for a satisfying meal or afternoon tea session.
Try this complex and sweet Dong Fang Hong Phoenix Dancong Oolong as a satisfying companion during your next meal or afternoon tea session.
