Song Phoenix
The full name for this Phoenix oolong is Song Zhong. Song refers to the Song Dynasty, which lasted until the early 13th Century, the time with which it was said that the progenitor of this tea's cultivar began to grow. Zhong means type and is often used as shorthand to identify the variety when talking about Chinese tea plants.
Phoenix oolongs span a wide range of oxidation and roast levels and up until recently, they have been the perfect fit in between the nuclear green high mountain Taiwanese oolongs and the heavy roasted rock oolongs from Wuyi Shan.
But times change and today's teamaking feels a lot like the Wild West, in that all the rules are suggestions and traditional teas are likely to get taken down in the crossfire of the new tea styles looking to make a name for themselves.
Now that we got the history lesson aside and brought you up to speed with current tea politics, we can jump in to the good stuff.
Our Song Zhong hangs with the traditional teamaking posse of Phoenix oolongs and we couldn't be happier. With notes of huckleberry jam, violet and citrus hops, you too will be ready to jump to its defense and tell any new tea looking for a fight that, "I'm your huckleberry."
Teamaker - Mr. Chan
Location - Dong Jiao Cun, Feng Huang Shan, Chao'an County, Chaozhou Prefecture, Guangdong Province, China
Harvest Time - April 26th, 2022
Cultivar - Song Zhong
BREWING INSTRUCTIONS
- Gong Fu - This tea works great in both porcelain and semi porous vessels. Since it is long twisted leaf, we recommend filling a third to half of the vessel with dry leaf. Use a small amount when making in grandpa style to keep this tea tasting magical.
- Western - Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 oz of water. Add 195F water and steep for 4-6 minutes. Can be re-steeped a second time, adding 2-3 minutes to the original steep time.