Fenghuang Dan Cong Oolong Tea

Fenghuang Dan Cong Oolong Tea – Phoenix Mountain Oolong

Fenghuang Dan Cong Oolong Tea comes from the Phoenix Mountains in Guangdong Province, China, a region celebrated for its intensely fragrant oolong teas. Also known as Phoenix Dan Cong, this traditional loose-leaf tea offers a remarkable combination of floral, fruity and gently spicy aromas. The long, slender leaves produce a golden-yellow to amber infusion with a smooth, silky texture and a lingering sweetness.

The fragrance is one of the first things you notice. As the leaves meet hot water, they release notes reminiscent of orchid, lychee, honey and tropical flowers. These aromas are characteristic of the Phoenix Dan Cong tea family, where different tea varieties and processing methods can produce surprisingly distinct flavour profiles.

Our Fenghuang Dan Cong is harvested in May and processed to preserve its lively aromatic character while developing the depth expected of a traditional oolong. It is particularly rewarding when brewed Gongfu style, using several short infusions to appreciate how the flavour changes from one cup to the next.

Origin: Fenghuang Mountains, Guangdong Province, China
Tea Type: Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong Tea
Style: Partially Oxidised, Aromatic Oolong
Harvest Time: May
Form: Long, Slender Loose Tea Leaves
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine
Available Sizes: 50g, 125g and 250g

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Origin and the Phoenix Mountain Tea Tradition

The Fenghuang Mountains lie in the Chaozhou area of eastern Guangdong, where generations of tea growers have developed a distinctive style of oolong production. The region is particularly associated with Dan Cong teas, known for their aromatic complexity and ability to produce multiple infusions.

The name Dan Cong is often translated as "single bush". Historically, it referred to tea harvested from individual bushes or trees selected for their distinctive character. Today, the term also describes a wider family of Phoenix Mountain oolongs produced from selected tea varieties, each associated with particular fragrance and flavour characteristics.

Unlike some scented teas, the floral and fruity notes associated with Dan Cong can arise naturally from the tea leaves themselves. Cultivar, growing conditions, oxidation and roasting all influence the finished flavour.

Traditional processing involves withering, controlled oxidation, heating, rolling and drying. The finished leaves are long and slightly twisted rather than tightly rolled into pellets. During brewing, they gradually open and release their distinctive fragrance.

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Tasting Notes

Attribute	Description
Aroma	Fragrant orchid, lychee, honey and tropical flowers, with a gentle spicy undertone
Flavour	Layered floral and fruity notes with a soft sweetness and subtle herbal warmth
Liquor Colour	Clear golden-yellow to amber
Mouthfeel	Smooth, silky and rounded, with a light but satisfying body
Finish	Long and fragrant, with lingering fruit and floral sweetness

The balance between aroma and flavour is what makes Fenghuang Dan Cong so interesting. Its fragrance can be striking, while the tea itself remains smooth and layered. Short infusions help reveal its floral sweetness without drawing out too much bitterness or astringency.

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What Makes Dan Cong Oolong Different?

Phoenix Dan Cong is particularly well known for the variety of aromas found within the tea family. Some examples suggest honey and orchids, while others have notes reminiscent of stone fruit, citrus blossom, almonds or warm spice.

These names describe sensory characteristics rather than necessarily indicating added ingredients. The range of flavours comes from differences in tea plant varieties, cultivation and processing.

Fenghuang Dan Cong also differs in appearance from many Taiwanese and Fujian oolongs. Its long, twisted leaves are quite different from the compact rolled pellets of a typical Jin Xuan or Tie Guan Yin. This leaf style works particularly well with the short, repeated infusions used in Chaozhou Gongfu tea preparation.

For those already familiar with lighter floral oolongs, Dan Cong offers a more intense aromatic experience, with a deeper fruit character and a finish that continues to develop after each sip.

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Brewing Guide

Tea-to-Water Ratio: 6–8g loose leaf tea per 150ml of water
Water Temperature: 95–100°C
Brewing Style: Gongfu, using short successive infusions
Reinfusions: Approximately 7–9, depending on taste

For traditional Gongfu brewing, place the leaves in a gaiwan or small Chaozhou-style teapot and pour over freshly heated water. If preferred, briefly rinse the leaves for 3–5 seconds and discard the rinse water. Begin with a short infusion, then increase the brewing time gradually as the leaves open.

Pour each infusion off completely rather than leaving the tea standing in the water. This helps preserve the delicate balance between fragrance, sweetness and the natural astringency of the leaves.

Infusion	Brewing Time	What to Expect
Optional Rinse	3–5 seconds	Briefly wets the leaves and releases their first fragrance
First Infusion	8–12 seconds	Fresh floral aroma with a light, refined flavour
Second to Fourth Infusions	15–25 seconds	Fuller fruity notes, rounded sweetness and greater depth
Later Infusions	25–40 seconds or longer to taste	A gentler infusion with lingering floral and honeyed notes

Western-Style Brewing: If you prefer a conventional teapot or infuser, start with approximately 2.5–3g of leaves per 250ml of water at 90–95°C. Steep for around 2 minutes, then strain. Adjust the quantity or time to taste, and brew the leaves again if they retain their flavour.

Brewing Tip: A porcelain gaiwan is particularly useful for appreciating the changing aroma of Dan Cong. Avoid excessively long first infusions, as the tea can become more astringent when over-brewed.

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Key Features

• Phoenix Mountain origin: Traditional Dan Cong oolong from Guangdong Province, China.
• May harvest: Harvest timing retained from the original product specification.
• Distinctive aroma: Floral, fruity and gently spicy notes reminiscent of orchid, lychee and honey.
• Long, slender leaves: Traditional loose leaf form that gradually opens during brewing.
• Smooth texture: Silky mouthfeel with a lingering, gently sweet finish.
• Multiple infusions: Particularly suited to traditional Gongfu brewing.
• Versatile preparation: Suitable for a gaiwan, Chaozhou teapot or conventional infuser.
• Three pack sizes: Available in 50g, 125g and 250g.

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Ingredients

Oolong tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). 

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Storage Recommendations

Store Fenghuang Dan Cong Oolong Tea in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture and strong odours. Its distinctive floral and fruity aromas are best preserved by keeping the leaves properly sealed between uses.

Reseal the packaging carefully after each use and follow the best-before date provided. Avoid storing the tea near coffee, spices or other strongly scented ingredients.

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Explore More Phoenix Dan Cong Teas

Fenghuang Dan Cong is a wonderful introduction to the aromatic oolongs of Guangdong. Its combination of fruit, flowers and gentle spice makes it quite different from the roasted rock teas of Fujian or the creamy rolled oolongs of Taiwan.

For a comparison within the Phoenix Dan Cong family, explore our Ya Shi Xiang Dancong Oolong Tea, known for its distinctive floral fragrance, or our Old Tree Song Zhong Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea, which offers another expression of the region's tea-making tradition.

You can also browse our Oolong Tea Collection to discover more Chinese and Taiwanese oolong teas.