Harvest Location: Fenhuang Shan, Guandong, China
Harvest Date: Spring 2025
Cultivar: Song Zhong
Elevation: 1200m
Dry Leaf: Roasted Strip Curls
 
Fenghuang Dan Cong is a legendary oolong tea from  Fenghuang Shan (Phoenix Mountains) in Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, China. The name Dan Cong (单丛), meaning “single bush”, originally referred to the traditional method of harvesting tea from individual, genetically unique tea trees—a practice that emphasized the distinct character of each tree’s leaf.
 
While Dan Cong tea was historically harvested from single, wild-growing bushes, modern production has shifted toward the use of single cultivars, carefully selected and propagated for their exceptional qualities. This approach balances the tea’s rich heritage with the consistency and scalability for contemporary tea production, allowing drinkers to experience the signature characteristics of each varietal while preserving its essence.
 
Among all the Dan Cong teas, Song Zhong (宋种) is one of the most prized and historically significant. Its origins trace back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), and it’s widely considered the epitome of Dan Cong excellence.
 
Tasting Notes:
Aroma: Upon steeping, Song Zhong releases a heady, sweet orchid fragrance, intertwined with hints of stone fruit and honeyed florals—a hallmark of high-mountain Dan Cong teas.
Flavor: The liquor is smooth, clean, and complex, opening with bright floral notes, evolving into a deeper body with honeyed sweetness, subtle minerality, and roasted undertones.
Mouthfeel & Finish: Expect a silky, round mouthfeel and a long-lasting finish, leaving a cooling sensation and floral sweetness on the breath well after the last sip.
 
Grown at high elevations in rocky, mineral-rich soil, Song Zhong benefits from the unique terroir of the Phoenix Mountains. Its quality is further refined through traditional processing techniques, including light oxidation and charcoal roasting, which coax out its layered character.
 
Ideal for gongfu-style brewing, this tea shines over multiple infusions, with each steep revealing new dimensions of flavor and aroma.