Introduction:Delve into the revered “Night Fragrant” cultivar of Phoenix Dancong tea — Beitou Night Fragrant. This article focuses on the 2020 vintage, offering a detailed comparison between two versions sourced from 100-year-old wild tea trees and 50-year-old standard tea trees, examining their differences in aroma, flavor, and aftertaste. From the unique terroir of Dundong Mountain in Wudanhu Village at 850 meters altitude to the curious story behind the renaming from “Bei Tou” to “Po Tou,” this guide will help you fully grasp the characteristics of this Dancong tea that boasts both floral and fruity notes — ideal for both newcomers and seasoned tea enthusiasts.
The classification of Phoenix Dancong is diverse and flexible, commonly based on leaf shape, aroma profile, historical origin, or production region. Among them, “Night Fragrant” is officially recognized as one of the ten classic fragrance types. Centered on the 2020 vintage of Beitou Night Fragrant, this article takes an in-depth look at how the same tea varietal presents distinct flavor profiles when sourced from tea trees of different ages — namely 100-year-old wild trees versus 50-year-old standard trees.
The origin of Beitou Night Fragrant lies in the Dundong Mountain area of Wudanhu Village, with tea gardens benefiting from the premium environment at an altitude of 850 meters. The mother plant of this tea originally grew in front of a graveyard, naturally emitting an enchanting fragrance reminiscent of night-blooming jasmine flowers. In its early days, due to inscriptions on nearby tombstones, it was initially referred to as “Bei Tou Night Fragrant.” Later, considering that “Bei Tou” could evoke unwanted associations and carried slightly inauspicious connotations due to its pronunciation, it was gradually renamed to the homophonous “Po Tou,” which has been used ever since.
The term “old wild tree” (老樅) in the Phoenix Dancong world specifically refers to tea produced from ancient trees aged over 100 years. The 100-year-old wild tree version reviewed here not only exhibits a richly layered aroma but also excels with an exceptionally penetrating throat feel and a long-lasting finish. When sipped, one can distinctly perceive the mellow richness brought about by the aging process.
As for the origin of the name “Night Fragrant,” besides being a classified fragrance type, it is also related to the night-blooming jasmine flower in nature. It’s said that the tea’s aromatic profile closely resembles the nighttime fragrance emitted by this flower, hence the name. Upon actual brewing, the 100-year-old wild tree version displays a three-dimensional aroma profile. In addition to the dominant Night Fragrant notes, you can also detect the freshness of acacia blossoms, the elegance of narcissus and ginger flowers, along with sweet fruit aromas akin to ripe strawberries, wild berries, and grapes — delivering an expressive yet refined overall performance.
In contrast, the standard version of Beitou Night Fragrant, sourced from 50-year-old tea trees, may not have the same century-long heritage as the wild tree variant, yet it still showcases a distinct personality. Its aroma is grounded in acacia blossoms, complemented by the subtle floral notes of narcissus and ginger flowers, and thoughtfully blended with the sweet scents of ripe strawberries and grapes. The overall fragrance intensity is moderate, making it highly approachable for newcomers to Phoenix Dancong, while still satisfying seasoned drinkers’ appreciation for foundational flavor profiles.
Both teas originate from the tea gardens of Dundong Mountain in Wudanhu Village at an altitude of 850 meters, where the high-elevation environment endows the leaves with a distinct mountainous character and abundant inherent compounds. When brewing, it is recommended to use either a gaiwan or Yixing clay teapot, with water temperature controlled at 95–100°C. After a quick first rinse, adjust the steeping time for each subsequent brew by 3–5 seconds according to personal taste preference, allowing the nuanced variations of each tea tree age to fully unfold.
Whether you are drawn to the mellow depth refined by time or prefer bright and fresh floral-fruity notes, both the 100-year-old wild tree and standard 50-year-old versions of the 2020 Beitou Night Fragrant offer distinctive qualities, each being a standout representative worthy of careful tasting within the Phoenix Dancong category.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
