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| Phoenix
Oolongs True Artisan teas |
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Local Tea Culture
Gong
fu cha has its origins in Northern Guangdong Province, and its local culture
have been drinking and appreciating oolongs for several centuries. Gong fu cha
not only encompasses great skill in preparing tea, but in creating the tea
itself - from the style of picking the leaf, to long process of rolling and
roasting afterwards, which are laboriously hand crafted. "Feng Huang", i.e.
Phoenix, a renowned mountain range near the city of Chao Zhou, has been
producing oolongs since the Tang Dynasty (780 AD), commanding some of the
highest prices in China. The locals consume large quantities of this tea, and
understand its complexities and nuances through their masterful gong fu style,
which entails several short infusions in gaiwans.
Watch Mr.
Liu steep some Phoenix tea, gong fu style
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What makes Phoenix
Ooloongs Unique?
Referred to in
China as 'dancong', this translates into 'single grove' tea. When mature, they
become small trees. Growing high up in the mountain, they are often shrouded in
fog, their trunks and branches patterned with pronounced lichen. It takes longer
for the leaves to mature in these high elevations, especially if the tree is
older. Therefore the yields are much lower than other oolongs that grow on
bushes in large estates. Many farmers have small groves, and prize their older
trees, which usually produce higher quality teas.
Another unique and
special characteristic of Phoenix teas is the wide range of its fragrances.
These fragrances occur naturally and come from different trees. That means no
flowers or other elements are added to the leaves in the drying process.
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