Phoenix monoplex Lao Chin Gongxiang 2022

Gong Xiang is the name of a variety, and does not belong to any of the top ten fragrance types. The fragrance of Gong Xiang is very gorgeous, and for those who drink it for the first time, the strength of the fragrance can be shocking in a sense.

Laokang means "old tree." This tea is made from raw tea leaves harvested from tea trees that are about 70 years old, in a pesticide-free tea plantation at an altitude of about 800m in Nankeng Village, a mountainous area located south of Fenghuang Town.

Generally, the older the tea plant, the slower its growth rate and the better the quality of the tea. With higher quality comes a longer aftertaste and a richer flavor. The length of the aftertaste is related to the duration of the brew, so you can brew tea multiple times, which is economical in a sense.

The fragrance of Gongxiang is very strong and vivid among the many Phoenix Dancong teas. In terms of the aroma, the berry scent stands out. When properly brewed, Gongxiang gives off a vivid scent reminiscent of strawberries, raspberries, and flowers, such as daffodils, ginger flowers, and lilies.

Characteristics of high-quality Phoenix single cone

High-quality Fenghuang Dancong is cultivated in a style called 'gaob'. Gaob is a cultivation method in which the tea plant grows large, spreading its branches like a mountain tree, without pruning the growing point. Gaob refers to tea plants that are allowed to grow naturally without pruning. (See the photo below) On the other hand, tea trees in conventional tea gardens such as Japan, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka are pruned low and have a more compact and controlled form. In conventional tea gardens, tea trees are densely packed, allowing for efficient harvesting, and there are economic advantages in terms of production volume. On the other hand, tall tea trees grow in a natural growing environment and require a lot of effort to harvest the tea leaves, but the flavor and quality of the tall tea tree form is superior. If you go to Phoenix Town, where Phoenix Single Cong Oolong Tea is produced, you will see that the tea trees in the high altitude areas are managed using the high tree method. On the other hand, in the lower altitude areas, including the surrounding areas, tea plantations are managed using the general tea plantation method. Some people think that Fenghuang Dancong has an astringent or bitter taste, but this is due in part to the fact that this type of tea is grown using a lot of fertilizer in general tea plantations in lowlands, and that the killing and roasting temperatures are high. Also, in high altitude areas, tea is basically only harvested in the spring, but in lowland general tea plantations, which are grown on a more commercial basis, it is not uncommon for tea to be harvested in the spring, summer, or autumn, and these types of tea can sometimes be the cause of the astringent taste. On the other hand, high-quality Houou Danshi tea grown at high altitudes has almost no bitterness or astringency even when brewed with hot water.