Hi everyone,
I have a question about Phoenix Dancong.
So I know that there is this Dancong type called Song Zhong, which is the OG Phoenix Dancong that has been enjoyed by thousands since the Song Dynasty.
However, there's also Dongfanghong and Tongtianxiang that are also considered as super top-grade Dancong types.
What are the difference among Song Zhong, Dongfanghong and Tongtianxiang?
Are they basically a same tea with different nicknames or are they totally different types?
What's the difference among Song Zhong, Dongfanghong and Tongtianxiang?
I was told, contrary to legend, the usage of “Song” in Song Zhong is meant to be evocative rather than literal. This was from someone who’s family makes dancong but take it with a grain of salt. And iirc it was reserved for the oldest trees.
if you don't get any satisfying answers here, you could try contacting Imen:
https://teahabitat.com/pages/contact
https://teahabitat.com/pages/contact
That makes sense. The oldest trees' harvest still in use are not really available to mere mortals as far as I know.
Here is an old post from Imen's blog http://tea-obsession.blogspot.com/2008/ ... aming.html
OK I did some digging around the internet and it seems that tea farmers themselves can't decide on what tea should be called Songzhong, Dongfanghong and Tongtienxiang.
I also looked thru Dancong vendors on Taobao and it seems that each vendor also has their own system of categorizing the products into SZ, DFH and TTX.
For example, I thought SZ and DFH were the same type cuz I heard that SZ simply got the nickname "DFH" when Mao praised how great the tea was.
However, one Taobao vendor (with pretty good credibility) sells SZ higher than DFH which led me to a conclusion that I should simply order each type, try them and stick to the one that I like the most.
I also looked thru Dancong vendors on Taobao and it seems that each vendor also has their own system of categorizing the products into SZ, DFH and TTX.
For example, I thought SZ and DFH were the same type cuz I heard that SZ simply got the nickname "DFH" when Mao praised how great the tea was.
However, one Taobao vendor (with pretty good credibility) sells SZ higher than DFH which led me to a conclusion that I should simply order each type, try them and stick to the one that I like the most.
Song Zhong is a term reserved for superior dancong, its a fruity variety with higher roast. Difficult to identify on its own, I would say the closest you can think of in taste is Zhi Lan Xiang or Gong Xiang. But low fragrance, more body, and usually its identified by being from a very very old tree.mushjoon wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:27 amHi everyone,
I have a question about Phoenix Dancong.
So I know that there is this Dancong type called Song Zhong, which is the OG Phoenix Dancong that has been enjoyed by thousands since the Song Dynasty.
However, there's also Dongfanghong and Tongtianxiang that are also considered as super top-grade Dancong types.
What are the difference among Song Zhong, Dongfanghong and Tongtianxiang?
Are they basically a same tea with different nicknames or are they totally different types?
Dongfanghong is another fragrance, not in the 10 famous fragrance but a personal favorite. It has both floral (white floral, lily) and deep woody fragrance, which makes it really interesting.
Tongtianxiang belongs to the same fragrance as Jiang Hua Xiang. Think of it as a top grade ginger flower fragrance.
Among the three (and the rest of dancong), Song Zhong is the most prized and regarded as it represents the closest to what the early Shuixian cultivar is before it gets cloned and branch off into your more aromatic fragrances (ie. mi lan xiang, ya shi xiang, etc.)