Dan Cong Ya Shi Xiang Duck Shit Oolong

Dan Cong Ya Shi Xiang is a classic Duck Shit oolong that comes from younger plantation-grown trees. The lightly oxidised leaves produce a pale golden liquor with a floral aroma. The easy-going taste balances sweet floral, creamy and mineral notes with an umami finish.

Brewing guide: 2.5g in 250ml water at 90°C for 3 minutes

£5.00£17.50

(10-50g)

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Origin:Chaozhou, Guangdong Province, China
Elevation:700m
Cultivar:Fenghuang Ya Shi Xiang (凤凰鸭屎香)
Harvest time:April 2023
Sourcing:Specialist Chinese Wholesaler

Description

Dan Cong Ya Shi Xiang Oolong (单枞鸭屎香) is a classic version of the famous Duck Shit Oolong. It is picked from Ya Shi Xiang cultivar trees grown in the Phoenix Mountains at an altitude of approximately 700 metres. It has a lovely floral profile with an easy-going taste and creamy, mineral notes. Unlike our somewhat more complex and refined Dan Cong Organic Ya Shi Xiang, this classic version comes from a conventional tea garden. This current batch was harvested and processed in April 2023.

Ya Shi Xiang literally means Duck Shit Fragrance and it represents one of the most famous Dan Cong oolong teas. The popularity is quite recent and clearly driven by the usual and amusing name. While the tea does not smell or taste of duck poop, the intriguing name has greatly contributed to its popularity. According to one of the stories, a local farmer discovered a tree that he was able to make particularly aromatic and distinctive tea from. The farmer was afraid of other people coming to steal the tree, so he gave an unappealing name to it to protect it. Also it is said that the soil where the first tree was found was a light brown colour, so the name served to describe the soil as having a particularly large amount of duck poop in it. Either way, even if the stories are true, this certainly created a uniquely-named tea, something that has made it hugely popular.

The leaves of this Duck Shit Oolong have a classic twisted appearance with light oxidation. It produces a light golden liquor with a floral creamy aroma. The overall taste is floral with lightly creamy and mineral notes. The aftertaste is mineral and stony, with a floral jasmine and umami edge. This is a rather delicate Duck Shit Oolong that achieves a good balance between the floral, creamy and mineral notes. This results in a mouthfeel that is not as full but as a result makes this classic version very appealing to Dan Cong beginners or just those who may find the more complex versions to be too overpowering.

Brew western style, at 90°C for 3 minutes 3+ times. For best results we highly recommend gongfu style brewing.