Introduction:As one of the top-tier tea varieties from Fenghuang Town in Chaozhou, Guangdong, the Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang Dancong Oolong Tea has earned international recognition time and again for its distinctive aroma and mountain terroir character. This article delves into its growing environment, picking and production techniques, flavor profile, suitable brewing methods, as well as market reference prices to help tea enthusiasts distinguish authenticity, master tasting essentials, and gain deeper insight into this classic Phoenix Dancong that once won a Gold Award at the Australia Golden Leaf Awards.
Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang Dancong Oolong Tea is one of the representative high-aroma Phoenix Dancong teas produced in Wuyan Village, Fenghuang Town, Chaozhou, Guangdong. With its unique layered aromas and terroir characteristics, this tea has rapidly gained fame in the tea market in recent years. In 2018, it won the Gold Award and the title of Best Oolong Tea in the Oolong Tea category at the Australia Golden Leaf Awards, becoming a star tea product that captured the attention of the international tea community.
Wuyan Village is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters in the high mountains, surrounded by clouds and mist year-round, with a cool and moist climate. The soil here is rich in minerals and organic matter, composed of red-yellow granite. These unique natural conditions provide optimal growth environments for the tea trees. This distinctive environment endows Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang with rich and long-lasting floral and fruity aromas, along with a deep mountainous charm, which are key features distinguishing it from Dancong teas of other regions.
This tea is made from the locally premium tea cultivar “Yashi Xiang,” with tea trees about 30 years old, growing in the high-altitude Wuyan Mountain tea gardens. Picking is carried out only once a year, typically in early May during spring, ensuring the tenderness of the leaves and the abundance of internal compounds. The picking standard is one bud and two leaves, with careful selection of tea shoots to preserve only the highest quality raw materials.
In terms of processing, Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang goes through traditional steps including withering, shaking, fixing, rolling, and drying, along with light roasting to preserve the tea’s natural fragrance and vitality. The dry tea leaves feature tightly twisted strips, with a glossy dark greenish-brown appearance. The dry leaf aroma is fresh and pleasant, giving off subtle floral and fruity notes upon first sniff.
After brewing, the tea liquor presents a bright orange-yellow color that is clear and transparent. The first infusion already reveals pronounced floral and fruity aromas, accompanied by delicate milky and sweet notes. The aroma is layered and long-lasting. The tea liquor feels smooth on the palate, with a rich and full-bodied taste where floral and fruity notes intertwine, exuding delicate yet stable mountain terroir character. The aftertaste is prominent and enduring, with a deep and lasting throat resonance.
This tea is best brewed using a gaiwan or purple clay teapot, with a recommended water temperature of around 95°C. The first infusion should be quick, while subsequent infusions can have slightly extended steeping times depending on taste. It can generally be brewed over 15 infusions or more, with each infusion maintaining stable aroma and flavor, showcasing the Dancong tea’s renowned “endurance” in brewing.
It’s worth mentioning that the Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang tea garden adheres to traditional farming methods, avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and maintains tea tree health and ecological balance through natural cultivation. This also contributes to the tea’s pure liquor and natural aroma. Additionally, the caffeine content in the tea leaves is relatively mild, at less than 20% of that typically found in regular coffee beverages, making it suitable for tea drinkers who enjoy tea aroma but wish to reduce caffeine intake.
For storage, it is recommended to keep Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang in a sealed, light-proof container, stored in a cool, dry, and odor-free environment. This can maintain good quality for about 24 months. If you prefer a rounder flavor profile, moderate aging of the tea is also an option, though moisture-proofing and light protection should be ensured.
Overall, Wuyan Ya Shi Xiang Dancong is not only a classic representative of Phoenix Dancong, but its award-winning background and the unique ecology of its high-mountain tea garden also make it an excellent choice for tea lovers seeking both taste and collection value. From origin to brewing, every step embodies craftsmanship and the gifts of nature—truly worthy of careful savoring and exploration.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
