Does boiling coffee water suit Songzhong Dancong oolong?
Songzhong Dancong comes from Wudong Mountain in Phoenix Town, Chaozhou, Guangdong, grown at about 1,400 meters on roughly 30-year-old trees picked once a year in spring. The dry leaf is tightly rolled and dark brown with orchid and honey-fruity aromas; the liquor is bright fresh orange, smooth and mellow, with a lasting sweet aftertaste. Chaoshan Gongfu brewing is the method used to draw out those layers.
Brewing essentials follow the Chaoshan Gongfu approach: near-boiling water, short repeated infusions, and a small gaiwan so the aroma stays in the cup. The tea carries less than 20 percent of the caffeine in a cup of coffee and keeps for 24 months when sealed and stored cool and dry, unlike traditional greek coffee served boiled with grounds.
Songzhong Dancong, a prized variety among Phoenix Dancong teas, is produced in Wudong Mountain, Phoenix Town, Chaozhou, Guangdong, in a high-mountain tea garden at an altitude of about 1,400 meters, with tea trees around 30 years old that are harvested only once a year in spring. Its dry tea is tightly rolled and dark brown, naturally carrying an orchid fragrance and honey-fruity aroma; the liquor is bright fresh orange, smooth and mellow on the palate, with a lasting sweet aftertaste. This article will analyze in detail the aroma type of Songzhong Dancong and share the brewing essentials of authentic Chaoshan Gongfu tea, helping tea lovers better appreciate the flavor layers of this famous historical tea.
Origin: Wudong Village, Wudong Mountain, Phoenix Town, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province Harvest time: May 1, 2020 Picking standard: one bud and two leaves Roast level: light roast Dry leaves: Neat and tightly rolled strips with a natural floral fragrance and a dark brown luster Aroma: Natural orchid fragrance, honey and fruity notes Liquor color: Fresh orange Taste: The mouthfeel is smooth, mellow, and delicate, with a charming clear fragrance and sweetness lingering in the mouth. Tea tree variety: Songzhong (about 30 years old) Tea garden: Wudong Village tea garden (altitude about 1,400 meters) Caffeine: A moderate amount of caffeine (less than 20% of a cup of coffee) Storage: Store in sealed, opaque packaging; in a cool, dry place Shelf life: 24 months
When it comes to the Chaoshan region, tea lovers first think of Chaoshan Gongfu tea, and Phoenix Dancong oolong tea is its leading player. Among the many Dancong varieties, Songzhong Dancong is the most renowned and most favored by tea drinkers, and its cultivation history can be traced back to the Song Dynasty.
This tea tree grows on Wudong Mountain at an altitude of 1,400 meters. The exceptional natural environment provides ideal conditions for the growth and development of the tea leaves and is conducive to the accumulation of tea polyphenols and key aromatic substances. Equally important, the tea here is picked only once a year, following traditional farming methods, with no pruning and no application of pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
The dry tea of Songzhong Dancong exudes a sweet, smooth honey aroma; after brewing with boiling water, a rich fragrance rises from the gaiwan and interweaves with the clearer fruity notes underneath. The tea liquor is sweet and aromatic, with a mellow taste and a long finish. Compared with Duck Shit Aroma Dancong, Songzhong's aroma is more composed, and the tea liquor's body and flavor expression are fuller and richer.
Note: Wudong Dancong is usually picked in April and generally given a light roast, with the tea color appearing green-brown. After that, it is re-roasted in June, September, and December respectively. After re-roasting, the tea leaves turn dark brown-black, noticeably deeper in color than before. In the first few infusions, the most prominent aroma comes from the floral notes released by the tea leaves that have not yet fully unfurled; after several more infusions, the leaves gradually open, and the aroma blends into a mellower, smoother tea liquor. After re-roasting, Duck Shit Aroma not only tastes more mellow, but the coordination between flavor and aroma is also more outstanding.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
