3 reviews

Charcoal Roasted Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang, Old Bush Honey Orchid Aroma, (Dan Cong)

OOP-LCM-001-0002
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$81.95 USD
100 grams (3.5 oz) $81.95 USD 11 Left in Stock.
50 grams (1.76 oz) $44.95 USD 5 Left in Stock.
200 grams (7.05 oz) $149.95 USD 5 Left in Stock.
Regular price
Wu Dong Mountain Phoenix Oolong Tea, Mi Lan Xiang, Natural Honey Orchid Aroma, (Dan Cong) Wu Dong Mountain Phoenix Oolong Tea, Mi Lan Xiang, Natural Honey Orchid Aroma, (Dan Cong) Wu Dong Mountain Phoenix Oolong Tea, Mi Lan Xiang, Natural Honey Orchid Aroma, (Dan Cong)

There are three main regions producing Oolong teas.  These regions include Taiwan, Fujiang province, and Guangdong province.  The Phoenix oolong is produce in Guangdong province and is commonly called Dan Cong which means a single bush. The farmers only harvest the tea leaves and produce the tea from a single bush.  Each bush also produces an unique tea flavor and character.

This tea is harvested from the Wu Dong Mountain of Chaozhou where the tea-growing region is at high (1,391 meter) altitude.  There are more than three thousand tea plants over 200 years old on the mountain.  The leaves appear twisted, but strong, and in dark color.  This high quality tea creates a surprisingly rich mouthfeel filled with fruity aroma and a long lasting satisfying taste.  The flavor of this tea is all natural with no artificial flavoring.

The tea has been re-roasted in the winter of year 2021.  There is a noticeable smoky flavour from the very first infusion that brings back memory of the charcoal roasted traditional oolong tea for many tea connoisseurs.  The smoky flavour become less pronounced in the second infusion and a sweet honey taste follow the more subtle smoky flavour.  The tea can make many infusions each with different flavors. 

Tea: Charcoal Roasted Lao Cong Mi Lan Xiang, Old Bush Honey Orchid Aroma, (Dan Cong)

Factory: Choy Xing

Origin: Wu Dong Mountain, Chaozhou City, Guangdong province

Oxidation: Medium

Harvest Period: April, 2015

Re-roasted:  Dec. 2021

The Quick Way - 5 Easy Steps

Step 1

Rinse a teapot, small teacups and a small pitcher with hot water.

Step 2

Put one tablespoon of tea leaves in the teapot for every two people being served. Use more for large leaf tea or for a stronger taste.

Step 3

Place the tea leaves inside the teapot and pour in enough hot water to cover the leaves. Pour out the water immediately to rinse the leaves. Use to this chart for proper water temperatures.

    Green Tea 

    Silver Needle White Teas  

    and most tea made from “tips” 

    75C – 80C 
    /167F – 176F
    Max 85C /185F 

    Taiwan Oolong 

    Tips Red/Black Teas 

    90C – 95C 
    /194F – 203F

    Black Teas 

    Pu-Erh (Bow-Lay)  

    Te Guan Yin (Iron Buddha)  

    Da Hong Pao (Cliff Tea) 

    Lapsang Souchong 

    Phoenix Oolong 

    Aged White Teas 

    95C – boiling 
    / 203F – boiling*

     

    IMPORTANT NOTES: 

    • Too much or too little heat for the tea you are making will break down the leaves too quickly or too slowly and the flavour will be inconsistent.  Temperatures can be approximate.
    • *Boiling means when the water has just reached a slow boil with big bubbles. The Chinese call this “Fish-Eye Water”. For green tea, watch for small streams of tiny bubbles starting to rise from the bottom of the kettle. This is called “Crab-Eye Water”. 
    • For Oolong teas, the correct temperature is somewhere between these two. If you do not have a thermometer, let the water stand for 2 minutes or so after reaching a first boil to get 90 – 95C C / 194 – 203 F. 

    Step 4

    Empty the teacups and pitcher. Pour enough hot water into the teapot again to cover the leaves. Wait 8 - 10 seconds and pour the tea into the pitcher and serve, a little longer for a stronger taste. For additional brews, repeat Step 4, deducting two seconds for the second brew and adding two seconds for each additional brew.

    Step 5

    As the aromatic compounds in the tea leaves dissolve in the water, you will notice the subtle flavours of the tea begin to change with each brew. You will be amazed at the difference! To make tea taste even better, try making tea using Gong Fu Cha method, the traditional Chinese art of tea-making.

     

    The Traditional Way Using The Gong Fu Cha Method

    You will need:

    • Teapot - preferably a small Chinese Yixing teapot. These have the best heat handling properties for tea-making, as well as for developing the flavour. If you only have a large teapot, use the quantities of water as if a small teapot and tea shown on the charts.
    • Small teacups (similar in size to Japanese sake cups) or tiny bowls
    • Kettle
    • Pitcher - small glass or porcelain
    • Fine Strainer - to keep your tea clear and free of sediment
    • Tea Tray - A cookie sheet or large flat dish lined with a towel can make a good tray to prepare your tea on. 

    Step 1 - Warm The Teapot and Pitcher, Sterilize The Teacups and Strainer

    The first step is to use the right size of teapot for the number of people you are serving. Most teas taste best when made using a Yixing unglazed clay teapot.  Use this chart for the correct size of teapot for the number of people you are serving (use this amount of water if you are using a larger teapot). Pour some hot water into the teapot, pitcher, teacups and over the strainer to rinse, warm and sterilize them.

    Size of Teapot

    Volume

    (ml / fl oz)

    Number of People Served

    #1 size

    70 / 2.4

    1 - 2

    #2

    100 / 3.4

    2 - 4

    #3

    175 / 6.0

    3 - 5

    # 4

    225 / 7.6

    4- 6

     

    Referring to this chart, determine the correct water temperature for the type of tea you are making. Too much or too little heat will break down the leaves too quickly or too slowly and the flavour will be inconsistent. Temperatures can be approximate.

    Green Tea 

    Silver Needle White Teas  

    and most tea made from “tips” 

    75C – 80C 
    /167F – 176F
    Max 85C /185F

     

    Taiwan Oolong 

    Tips Red/Black Teas 

    90C – 95C 
    /194F – 203F

    Black Teas 

    Pu-Erh (Bow-Lay)  

    Te Guan Yin ( Iron Buddha)  

    Da Hong Pao (Cliff Tea) 

    Lapsang Souchong 

    Phoenix Oolong 

    Aged White Teas 

     

    95C – boiling 
    / 203F – boiling*

     

    * Boiling means when the water has just reached a slow boil with big bubbles . The Chinese call this “Fish-Eye Water”.  For green tea, watch for small streams of tiny bubbles starting to rise from the bottom of the kettle. This is called “Crab-Eye Water”. 

    For Oolong teas, the correct temperature is somewhere between these two. If you do not have a thermometer, let the water stand for 2 minutes or so after reaching a first boil to get 90 – 97C C / 194 – 206 F. 

    Step 2 – Rinse The Tea Laves

    Empty the teapot and pitcher of the warming water. Place the measured amount of tea into the teapot using this chart and fill with the proper temperature water from the chart above. When pouring water in, allow the water to overflow the top of the teapot until the bubbles disappear and the water runs clear.

    Size 
    of Teapot

    Size of Leaves

    Rolled Leaves 
    (small balls) and Compress-ed

    Less than 1 cm / 3/8 inches

    1 – 2 cm 
    / 3/8 – ¾ inch

    2 - 4 cm 
    / ¾ - 
    1-1/2 inches

    #1 size

    0.5 - 1

    0.5 - 1

    1 – 1.5

    1.5– 2

    #2

    1.5 - 2

    1.5 - 2

    2 – 2.5

    2.5 – 3

    #3

    3 – 3.5

    3 – 3.5

    3.5 – 4

    4 – 4.5

    # 4

    4 – 4.5

    4 – 4.5

    4.5 – 5

    5 – 5.5

     

    This chart shows the amount of tea to use (in number of tablespoons) based on the size of the tea leaves you are using and the size of teapot. Adjust for personal taste.

    Replace the lid and immediately pour off all the water (or a bit longer if using compressed tea) and shake out the last drops. Then tilt the lid slightly open on the teapot. This allows the heat in the teapot to escape and not “cook” the leaves so they can retain their aroma 

    Step 3 –The First Brew

    Fill the teapot until the water flows over the top. Place the lid on the teapot and count the proper number of seconds using this chart. Adjust times to taste.

     

    Rolled Leaves  
    (small balls) and Compressed 

    Less than 1 cm / 3/8 inches 

    1 – 2 cm  
    / 3/8 – ¾ inch 

    2 - 4 cm  
    / ¾ -  
    1-1/2 inches 

    Rinse the leaves 

    4 - 8 seconds 

    pour off the tea as quickly as possible 

    1- 3 seconds 

    2 - 4 seconds 

    First Brew 

    10– 15 seconds 

    1 – 2 seconds 

    9– 12 seconds 

    2 – 15 seconds 

    Second Brew 

    8– 13 seconds 

    2– 4 seconds 

    8– 10 seconds 

    10– 13 seconds 

    Third Brew 

    6– 10 seconds 

    4– 6 seconds 

    6–8 seconds 

    8– 10 seconds 

    Fourth Brew 

    4– 10 seconds 

    4– 6 seconds 

    6– 8 seconds 

    8– 10 seconds 

    Fifth Brew 

    6– 12 seconds 

    8– 8 seconds 

    8– 10 seconds 

    10– 12 seconds 

     

    If you have a tea tray, slowly pour a little hot water over the teapot for a few seconds while counting.  At the end of the count, pour the tea into the pitcher and tilt the lid open on the teapot. Empty the teacups of the warming water and serve the tea. 

    Step 4 – Additional Brews

    For the second brew, repeat Step 3 until there is no more flavour from the leaves. High quality tea will make many good tasting brews. The taste of low quality tea will start to fade after only a few brews. Believe it or not, high quality tea is usually less expensive to use in the long run than low quality tea, it tastes better and lasts longer!

    If the leaves still have some flavour remaining when you finish, you can keep them in the teapot with the lid closed for up to 12 hours. When you're ready to make more tea, just pick up the timing for the next brew where you left off, less a few seconds.

    Congratulations!

    Congratulations, you are now ready to move on to a more advanced level of tea-making. For full instructions about Gong Fu Cha, see Gong Fu Cha - The Complete Guide To Making Chinese Tea by Daniel Lui)

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    Filter Reviews:
    LQ
    09/05/2024
    Les Q.
    Canada Canada

    Real Nice Tea

    Real Nice Tea ...nice pleasant hints of roasted nuts on first few steeps, giving way to lovely complex floral/fruity/milky aroma .... smooth ... giving many satisfying steeps.

    LS
    02/21/2023
    Larry S.
    Canada Canada

    And the Winner is.....

    After 4 previous 'Phoenix Oolong' teas, all from other suppliers, I was about to give up. Bitter, astringent - and the phrase often used - 'challenging to brew'. Not this tea! Why? I expect all the others I tried were later harvests, which apparently can have very elevated bitterness and astringency. But this tea is April harvest. The description for the tea says it all! The re-roast seems to harmonize perfectly. Lots to learn!

    RD
    09/03/2020
    Rebecca D.
    United States United States

    Floral Oolong with no bite

    I really enjoy how floral this dan cong is. I was running low on my supply, so restocked :)

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