origin Danhu, Guangdong

craft nong xiang

flavor notes apricot, honey, cinnamon

origin Danhu, Guangdong

craft nong xiang

flavor notes apricot, honey, cinnamon

Cultivated outside the village of Danhu(just down the mountain from famed Wudong, the source of our other Phoenix oolongs), Ao Fu Houis a rare and lesser-known dancong variety with a trulyexceptionaltaste.

Its humblename, a transliteration to Mandarin from the local dialect for or , roughly translates to”behind the dip” or “behind the collapsedcave”, a reference to the location of the mother tree for this lineage. Ao Fu Hou is thought to be a close relative of Huang Zhi Xiang, and indeed shares many characteristics in its flavor profile, includinga bright finish.

However, compared to our Huang Zhi Xiang (Orange Blossom), Ao Fu Hou presents a decidedly fruitier flavor profile, with decadent notes of preserved apricot, honey, and warm spices. As is characteristic of premium Phoenix oolongs, Ao Fu Hou has supple tannins which provide structure to the tea and help to anchor its aromas to the palate for a long and layered finish.

This tea is crafted in thenong xiang style, meaning the leaves are oxidized and roasted slightly longer. This further accentuates the tea’s inherent fruit and spice aromas, producing adancong that we think every connoisseur should taste.

Delicious and utterly captivating when brewed well, Phoenix Oolongs are susceptible to high tannin levels, which can result in an astringent texture. To control this, we recommend a flash brewing method, which means a high water temperature and very short infusion time. This fast, high-temperature brewing method quickly extracts aroma and flavor before the tea has time to release excess bitterness or astringency.

Learn the fundamentals of tea brewing and master your technique here.