Pheonix Mountain Dan Cong

So. I basically caved today and went to Teavana. Long story short I spent way more than I was planning on! But this is a more unexpected find. The tea seller had no idea they even had this tea and she had never tried it before. I said that I’ve had it and I like doing it with short steeps and can get 5-6 steeps out of mine. I think that the seller’s jaw dropped a little. She also seemed confused at how much I got for 2oz. It almost didn’t fit into their regular bags! So even though the weight was only 2oz the value seems to be much higher and this was on sale for $5/2oz instead of the usual $25/2oz.
I’m still struggling with my cold, so I’m a bit stuffy and tasting isn’t my strong point. The leaves are huge, wiry, and deep black/browns with almost a purple sheen; a really pretty tea. The liquor is a light brown color and smells mostly of honey and fruit. These flavors carry over into the flavor and it is very, very good. I’m surprised that this tea has a lower rating on here; maybe it has something to do with the pricing. I really love dan congs and this one is a great addition to my stash so I’m giving it a big thumbs up!

I tend to lean more in the direction of Taiwanese oolong varieties because they’re more fully fermented and tend to have a richer flavor. (Not that there’s anything wrong with subtlety, I just prefer my tea on the bolder side.) The Dan Cong is a mainland China oolong that has a striking richness and, while it may be on the expensive side, a little goes a long way. I’ve even been known to hit it with milk and honey, something most mainland oolongs don’t hold up to. . .

Better than a lot of TeaVana stuff. It is peaty and crisp but with little flavor or aroma.

One of the finest Oolong teas I’ve ever had. I fell in love with it the first time I drank it but sadly due to the expensive price for this tea by Teavana keep it for special occasions.