Phoenix Dancong Oolong Teas

The term, Dancong, translates as single trunk, and refers to the style of cultivating each tea tree as a standalone, single-cultivar plant. Many of the gardens in Fenghuangshan, or Phoenix Mountain, in Guangdong Province are planted with old tea trees and even the new clones are grafted onto ancient roots. One notable local variety traces back 900 years and is called Songzhong Shui Xian, or Song Dynasty-type Narcissus. In this case, Narcissus refers to a type of water lily, so the name references a fragrant cultivar of tea from the Song Dynasty, 960-1279 AD. This cultivar is thought to be the mother-stock to numerous types of sub-cultivars that have developed through selective cultivation and natural mutation over the centuries. Many of these cultivars are named after their Xiang or aroma type. These tea trees mimic the aromas of various flowers and fruits, such as pomelo flower, honey and orchids, almond etc. Others take poetic or playful names based on farmer anecdotes and tales.