Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: dark, wiry, twisted
Ingredients: oolong tea
Steep time: 6 minutes
Water Temperature: 195 degrees
Preparation Method: Teavana Perfect Steeper
Liquor: amber
I was really excited to try this selection from Le Palais des Thés’ Grand Cru collection. The name Feng Huang means Phoenix and Dan Cong refers to tea that originates from a single tree. This type of tea is usually categorized by fragrance and I wish that they had included that information. The taste was woodsy and spicy and if I let it cool for a bit a hint of stone fruit popped up in the background. Phoenix oolongs are renowned for their lingering floral aroma and I felt this tea was missing that. My second brew was lackluster. Oolongs should be able to give multiple infusions. Perhaps I would have felt differently if I had used my standard gongfu brewing? At $90 for 3.5oz, I don’t feel that this tea is worth the price of admission. Having a tea fall short of expectations is always a difficult thing for a tea blogger. Should I publish a review at all? Maybe there’s something wrong with my taste buds? These are questions that we all ask ourselves. It’s important to keep in mind that one disappointing tea does not a bad vendor make. I absolutely love their Grand Cru Dong Ding and frequently stock up on their Margaret’s Hope 2nd Flush. Tasting tea is of course a subjective thing and Dan Congs are very hard to get right. My instinct tells me that the brewing directions given may be largely to blame for this misfire.
Feng Huang Dan Cong Special sample provided by Le Palais des Thés.