Is Wu Ye Dan Cong a Coffee Variety Tree or a Phoenix Oolong Tea?
Da Wu Ye Dan Cong is a Phoenix Oolong tea from the Phoenix Mountains in Chaozhou, Guangdong, not a coffee plant. Known in English as Big Black Leaf, it is picked in early April, and the batch described here is the 2020 spring harvest. Its broad, dark leaves produce a natural orchid fragrance with a sweet, rich, full-bodied cup.
The name Dan Cong means single bush, because the tea was traditionally picked from semi-wild individual tea trees. Da Wu Ye is grown on Wudong Mountain from trees roughly 40 to 50 years old. Since the article touches on coffee variety tree topics and coffee picking, it clarifies that this leaf belongs to the tea world rather than any coffee tree.
Da Wu Ye Dan Cong is a highly recognizable variety of Phoenix Oolong tea, often referred to in the English-speaking world as "Big Black Leaf." It originates from the Phoenix Mountains in Chaozhou, Guangdong, and is generally harvested in early April; this batch is the 2020 spring tea. The term Dan Cong originally referred to oolong tea made from semi-wild single bushes, but now it broadly refers to Guangdong oolong from the Phoenix Mountain area. Da Wu Ye gets its name from its broad leaves and dark color, and the finished tea is known for its natural orchid fragrance and sweet, rich, full-bodied taste. This article will give you a comprehensive understanding of this tea from the aspects of its origin environment, varietal characteristics, brewing performance, and flavor layers. At the same time, the article also retains relevant recommendations and product information for the "Front Street" brand, making it convenient for coffee and tea enthusiasts to refer to.
Wu Ye Dan Cong belongs to a category of Phoenix Oolong tea with relatively complex craftsmanship and flavor, and in English-speaking countries it is usually called "Big Black Leaf." This Dan Cong type is known for its high-aroma fragrance, floral notes, and sweet, smooth profile. It is mainly grown in Chaozhou, Guangdong, and enters its picking period in early April each year. This batch is the 2020 harvest.
Dan Cong is a general term referring to oolong tea from Guangdong, especially the Phoenix Mountains. The character "Cong" originally means "single bush," because traditionally this type of oolong tea was mostly picked from semi-wild single tea trees. Today, Dan Cong has become a general term covering oolong tea from the entire Phoenix Mountain range, and is sometimes extended to other Guangdong oolongs. This tea comes from Chaozhou, and the raw material is picked from Da Wu Ye trees in Wudong Mountain, with trees about 40 to 50 years old.
The name Da Wu Ye points to the appearance of this variety's leaves. Like many Dan Cong oolongs, the variety plays a key role in the flavor of the finished tea. Oolong tea made from the Da Wu Ye variety is known for its unique aromatic floral fragrance and its quite sweet, rich, and wine-like body.
Among Dan Cong or Phoenix oolongs, Da Wu Ye stands out for its distinct floral aroma and sweet profile. The dry tea leaves are relatively large, with a mix of dark and light colors, including deeper amber and lighter green. After brewing, the tea liquor is golden yellow and very clear. The aroma, interwoven with sweetness, creaminess, and floral notes, is very charming. In terms of taste, it opens with floral notes in the front, then transitions to bread-like and creamy flavors. The finished tea is very clean, without astringency, and also has a hint of floral bitterness similar to edible petals. One of the notable characteristics of this tea is its strong mouth-watering effect, with a rich and lasting sweet aftertaste.
According to personal taste, brewing at 90°C for about 3 minutes is most suitable. As expected, this Dan Cong Da Wu Ye is also very resistant to multiple infusions. If brewed in the gongfu style, using 5g of tea and 150ml of water, steeping for 20 to 30 seconds before pouring produces the best results.
Da Wu Ye literally means "big and dark leaves." It is a variety in the Phoenix Oolong tea family, and its leaves are usually relatively large and dark, which is also how it got its name. It is a representative of light-aroma Dan Cong oolong, known for its natural orchid fragrance; this particular type can be picked in all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
When brewed, the first impression is a natural floral fragrance, soft and light, which then turns toward a sweeter, richer, more restrained feeling. The mouthfeel is smooth, the fresh fragrance is lasting, and the subtle orchid-like aroma lingers. This tea can be brewed many times, allowing the leaves to fully unfurl; the leaf edges are reddish brown and pleasing to look at. After drinking, a sweetness remains in the throat and stays for a long time.
Chaozhou Phoenix Mountain is world-famous for tea. Among the 73 Phoenix mountains, the scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh, and the climate is humid and mild. The average annual temperature is about 20°C, and the average annual precipitation is about 2100 mm. It is not only a tourist destination but also the core production area of China's famous Phoenix Dan Cong oolong tea. Its unique aroma and taste come precisely from the local climate and soil. In 1982, Dan Cong was recognized as one of China's 32 famous teas. Phoenix Mountain has more than 20,000 mu of tea gardens, including more than 3,000 ancient tea trees ranging from 200 to 400 years old, as well as a "Song Zhong Tea King" tree that is 600 years old.
Da Wu Ye is a medium-leaf tea variety, selected from a natural hybrid offspring of Shui Xian Phoenix Oolong. The leaves are thick yet soft, with a smooth surface, fine hairs, and a dark green color. Mature leaves average 11.2 cm long and 3.8 cm wide, with an elliptical leaf shape. The plant itself is a tea variety with a high, uplifting aroma.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
