Oolong tea

Dan Cong Oolong: A Guide to the Perfume of Teas

"True elegance needs no perfume—just Dan Cong."

Key Takeaways

Dan Cong oolong is known for its natural floral and fruity aromas.
It originates from the Phoenix Mountains, with ideal terroir for tea.
The name “Dan Cong” refers to “single bush” heritage.
Popular varieties include Honey Orchid, Duck Shit, Almond, and Gardenia.
Brewing with high heat and short infusions reveals layered flavors.
Each infusion tells a different story—6 to 10 brews is typical.

Let's get straight to it: Dan Cong Oolong Tea is a special type of oolong tea that comes only from the Phoenix Mountains of Guangdong, China. This tea has one amazing quality that makes it famous worldwide.

It can mimic many different flower and fruit smells naturally, which is why people call it "the perfume of teas." Without any added flavors, it can taste like gardenias, honeyed orchids, or even almonds.

In this guide, we'll explore everything about this tea. We'll learn where it comes from, what its name really means, discover its most famous scents, and teach you how to brew it perfectly.

What's in a Name? The True Meaning of "Dan Cong"

The name tells a story. "Dan" (单) means "single," while "Cong" (枞) means a "bush" or "tree." Many people translate this as "single bush."

This points to an old ideal where tea came from one specific, often very old tree. These special mother trees were valued for their unique qualities and special aroma.

The modern reality is a bit different. True single-tree harvests are rare and expensive collector's items these days. Most Phoenix Dan Cong you can buy now comes from a group of plants grown from one mother tree. This ensures the tea has the same aroma from batch to batch. As you learn more about oolongs, you'll notice how the term has evolved over time.

To make it clear:

The Ideal: Tea from one unique ancient tree.
The Modern Reality: Tea from plants that all come from the same mother tree, giving a consistent aroma.

From a Single Peak: The Terroir of Phoenix Mountain

Every great tea is shaped by where it grows, and Dan Cong is no exception. It comes from the Phoenix Mountains (Fenghuang Shan), a mountain range near Chaozhou city in China's Guangdong Province.

Ancient Dan Cong Tree – Lake Village No.5

An old Dan Cong tea tree from Lake Village No.5, deep in the Phoenix Mountains—where rocky soil and shifting mountain weather create rich, layered aromas.

Picture misty, high mountains with rich, rocky soil. The weather here shifts between warm days and cool nights, forcing the tea plants to develop complex flavors.

These growing conditions create the tea's mineral taste and strong aromas. People have grown tea here for hundreds of years, with records going back more than 600 years to the Song Dynasty.

A Symphony of Scents: Exploring Dan Cong's Famous Aromas

The most exciting part of Dan Cong is its many different scents. These teas are sorted by their "aroma type," or Xiang Xing (香型).

While there are dozens of Dan Cong varieties, most fall into a few main groups. Here are some of the most important types to start your journey.

Mi Lan Xiang (蜜兰香 - Honey Orchid)
- Aroma: Rich honey, ripe fruits like lychee, and sweet orchid flowers.
- Our Experience: This is the perfect first Dan Cong to try. You'll notice sweet honey right away, followed by gentle floral notes that last a long time. It's smooth and very enjoyable.
Ya Shi Xiang (鸭屎香 - Duck Shit Aroma)
- Aroma: Despite the strange name, this tea is very floral. It smells like honeysuckle, jasmine, and gardenia with a creamy, almond-like finish. The story goes that a farmer gave it this name to keep others from stealing his special tea.
- Our Experience: Don't let the name stop you from trying this tea. It has some of the most complex flavors in the tea world. The strong floral scent is balanced by a creamy texture.
Xing Ren Xiang (杏仁香 - Almond Aroma)
- Aroma: A comforting taste of toasted almonds, marzipan, and light sweetness like apricot kernels.
- Our Experience: This is a more subtle Dan Cong. It's perfect for people who don't want strong floral tastes and prefer nutty flavors. It's elegant and not too bold.
Huang Zhi Xiang (黄栀香 - Yellow Gardenia)
- Aroma: A strong, sweet smell of gardenia flowers, often with hints of tropical fruits like mango or apricot.
- Our Experience: This tea will fill the room with amazing scent as soon as you brew it. It tastes as good as it smells: bright, zesty, and very floral from start to finish.

How to Brew Phoenix Dan Cong for a Perfect Cup

To get the best aromas from Dan Cong, how you brew it matters a lot. The key is using hotter water (90-95°C / 195-205°F) and making short, quick brews. This prevents bitterness and brings out layers of flavor. The Gongfu style works best.

Here's how to brew it perfectly:

Preheat Your Teaware: Rinse your Gaiwan (a lidded bowl) or small teapot and cups with hot water. This warms them up and keeps the temperature steady.
Measure the Tea: Use plenty of leaves—about 5-7 grams for a 100-120ml pot. The long, twisted leaves need space to open up.
The Awakening Rinse: Pour hot water over the leaves and immediately pour it out. This quick rinse wakes up the leaves, washes away any dust, and prepares them to release their full aroma.
First Infusion: Pour hot water over the leaves again and steep for just 10-15 seconds. Pour every drop into your cup or serving pitcher.
Later Infusions: For each next infusion, add 5-10 more seconds to the steep time. A good Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong Oolong Tea can easily give you 6-10 flavorful brews, each one showing new aspects of the tea.

Beyond Dan Cong: Exploring the Rich World of Oolong

Dan Cong stands out for its vivid, complex aromas. It showcases the unique qualities of the Phoenix Mountains through its floral and fruity flavors.

But this is just one type of oolong. As you explore more, you'll find that different regions make teas with their own special character.

If you like Dan Cong's complex aromas, another amazing oolong to try comes from the Wuyi Mountains. While Dan Cong is known for its high, floral, and fruity notes, Wuyi Rock Teas (Yancha) are famous for their deep, mineral "rock rhyme" (Yan Yun), with roasted, chocolatey, and dark fruit flavors.

Trying both types makes for a fascinating journey for any oolong fan. You can find a curated selection of exceptional oolongs, including celebrated Wuyi Rock Teas, to continue your exploration.

Your Dan Cong Adventure Awaits

Dan Cong Oolong Tea is more than just a drink; it's an experience. It represents hundreds of years of tea-growing skill, a unique growing environment, and an amazing range of aromas.

We invite you to start your own Phoenix Dan Cong adventure. Begin with a classic like Honey Orchid, or be brave and try the surprisingly delightful Duck Shit Aroma. A world of fragrance is waiting in your cup.

FAQs

What makes Dan Cong oolong tea special compared to other teas?
Dan Cong oolong tea naturally mimics various flower and fruit aromas without added flavors, and it's exclusively grown in the Phoenix Mountains of Guangdong, China, which gives it unique mineral characteristics.
What does the name "Dan Cong" actually mean?
"Dan" means "single" and "Cong" means "bush" or "tree," traditionally referring to tea harvested from one specific ancient tree, though modern Dan Cong usually comes from plants propagated from the same mother tree.
What are the most popular Dan Cong oolong tea varieties?
The most sought-after varieties include Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid), Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit Aroma), Xing Ren Xiang (Almond Aroma), and Huang Zhi Xiang (Yellow Gardenia).
What's the best way to brew Dan Cong oolong tea?
Use hotter water (90-95°C/195-205°F), plenty of leaves (5-7g per 100-120ml), and make short infusions (starting at 10-15 seconds) using the Gongfu brewing style for optimal flavor extraction.
How many times can Dan Cong oolong tea be infused?
A good quality Phoenix Mountain Dan Cong oolong tea can be infused 6-10 times, with each infusion revealing different aspects of the tea's complex flavor profile.

Each year, we serve thousands of satisfied tea enthusiasts in our tea house, and we're excited to share these exceptional teas with tea lovers worldwide at Orientaleaf.com.