🍽️ Phoenix Dancong Tea

Aromatic oolong tea, the star of Chaoshan gongfu tea.

Phoenix Dancong tea comes from Phoenix Mountain in Chaozhou and belongs to the oolong family; it is the undisputed centerpiece of a Chaoshan gongfu tea session. Made from fresh leaves picked in the high-altitude gardens of the mountain, it goes through sun-withering, oxidation by hand, fixing, rolling and roasting. Dancong is famous for its aroma categories—honey-orchid, ya-shi, gardenia, osmanthus and others—and the dry leaves are tightly rolled. Once brewed, the liquor is golden and clear, rich and mellow on the palate, with a striking floral or fruity fragrance and a long, sweet finish that lingers on the teeth. Chaoshan people brew it in small pots and tiny cups, using the traditional pouring techniques, and savor the way each steeping reveals a different note. It is both a daily ceremonial drink for guests and one of Chaozhou's most important agricultural souvenirs, embodying the refined taste of gongfu tea culture.