High up in the Phoenix Mountains of China’s southeastern Guangdong province is where one might find Duck Shit Oolong. Year-round, these mountains are surrounded by fog and rain, creating ideal moist conditions that promote the growth of this special tea.
The mountain continues to attract tourists, not only for its scenic views but also of the intriguing Phoenix Oolong Tea.
What Makes Dan Cong Oolong Tea Special?
"Dan Cong" means "single bush”. A Dan Cong “garden” differs from a typical tea garden. Most tea gardens consist of short tea bushes planted in rows and look almost identical to one another. What makes Dan Cong tea bushes special is their wild nature. Furthermore, these "bushes" are more like trees, being much taller than the typical tea bush, sometimes reaching 16 ft in height! A Dan Cong Oolong tea garden looks more like the original tea gardens of many centuries ago and is a sight of itself.
Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit Aroma) Oolong is a variety of Dan Cong Oolongs. DanCong, literally translated as "single bush", is a special group of oolong tea varieties, cultivated only in the Phoenix Mountains. The most famous Dan Cong Oolong varieties are classified by aroma type.
Some well-known varieties of Dan Cong Oolong Tea are:
- Mi Lan Xiang, honey orchid fragrance
- Ye Lai Xiang, milky-jasmine fragrance
- Yu Lan Xiang, magnolia fragrance
- Xing Ren Xiang, almond fragrance
Although labeled "Duck Shit Aroma Oolong," this tea is exceptionally fragrant and sweet.
These qualities come from the mountain’s exceptional soil, which is perfect for nourishing the ancient tea trees, some of which are up to 600 years old.
The Story of Duck Shit Oolong
The tale of Duck Shit Oolong is a mix of folklore and modern-day marketing, telling the appealing story about how special this tea is. In fact, so special that farmers would spread lies about their precious tea so that others wouldn’t be tempted to steal it.
The legend tells of a farmer, Mr. Wei, who cultivated this tea in the distinct yellow-brown soil of Ping Keng Tou village. To prevent theft of his superior plants, he claimed the soil's color and fertility were due to massive amounts of duck manure, scaring off disgusted rivals.
For better or for worse, these lies may not have worked as well as the farmers hoped. Soon enough, word about the aromatic Dan Cong Oolong that grows from duck shit spread far and wide, prompting widespread interest in this special tea that leaves a pleasant, lingering honey-sweetness. In fact, what was meant to serve as a repulsive name turned out so popular that when Ya Shi Xiang was renamed by the government officials to Yin Hua Xiang (meaning "honeysuckle aroma"), the majority of Duck Shit Aroma fans simply refused to adopt the new name and firmly stuck with its original name!
Duck Shit Oolong Tea Processing
Compared to other DanCong Oolong varieties, Ya Shi Xiang tea leaves are thicker and larger, yet softer.
After the leaves are harvested, they undergo a 6-step process:
- sun drying
- airing
- shaking/tossing
- high temperature fixing
- rolling
- drying
Due to the extent of oxidation, the leaves yield long, curly, brownish-golden tea leaves.
How to Brew Phoenix Mountain Oolong
When brewing this special oolong, we recommend using a porcelain gaiwan or Chaozhou teapot and aroma cups. This way ensures that the full taste and aroma are extracted from this reputable tea.
After the first steep, Phoenix Dan Cong will taste incredibly fresh and sweet, with a light gardenia aroma. With the second infusion, the scent and sweetness become more prominent, promoting the secretion of saliva. Finally, at the third infusion, the taste is mellow and full, with a long-lasting aftertaste.