Phoenix Bird oolongs - Rare Collection

Long favored as "tribute teas" by emperors, these 3 teas were grown on small farms in Chou Zhou County, the Yellow or Phoenix Mountains, Guangdong Province, and harvested in 2002-04. Plucked and crafted from select local cultivars, these lots offer a range of aromas and flavors that will provide a unusual opportunity to taste this style of worldclass Chinese oolongs. Each is made to a different firing process and you will experience a range of flavors - from aromatic and ambrosial to a higher fire, more "almond" or toasty flavor. Each lot infuses to a rich cup of oolong tea, crafted in grades (note very large leaf sizes) not to be found in the marketplace today. Our sampler includes:

• Golden Dawn "Huang Dan". Made with the famous "Chao An" varietal. Harvested 2004. Single-origin, handmade, this lot is distinguished by the farmer's high-fire process which yields a roasted, almond-like taste and a sweet lingering finish.1 oz.
• Gardenia Fragrance "Huang Zhi Xiang".  Sweet melon-like aroma, floral, opens to a full-bodied flavor with a tangy note underneath. Finish blends all the notes reflecting its complexity. Wonderful flavors will linger long after tasting. 1 oz.
• Yellow Fragrance "Huang Xiang". An aged lot harvested 2002. Unusually large leaf with yellow edging, harvested from old trees. Medium fire, main note is sweet nectar that will cover & delight the palate.  The finish will linger. 1 oz. 

Lot Notes. Teas were purchased in a 3-year period from 2002-2004.  Each is stored in a steel can, warehouse temperature of approximately 63 degrees F. 

Tea Facts. Cultivar is Chao An, a famous leaf of the Fenghuangshan (Phoenix Mountain) area. Lot was harvested from tall, single-trunk trees. Harvest typically is in late April into May. Oxidized 30-35%. Traditionally processed in a wood-fueled oven. Leaves are long and a rich brown color.

Tasting Notes. The dry leaves of all 3 varieties are highly aromatic. Infused, we find aromas ranging from brown sugar and honeysuckle, sweet melon & flowers to almonds and toasty, sweet fruit. Golden Dawn is high fired, in tasting we find flavor the flavor of brown sugar and sweet fruit. Gardenia Fragrance is an orchid-like aroma. In tasting, flowery, herbaceous, sweet and lush. Yellow Fragrance has light mineral notes and a nectar-like, honeysuckle sweetness.

We have additional lots of rare Phoenix Bird Oolongs that we offer that are not listed herein. Please note, in the event any of the lots listed herein our sampler sell out, we will replace that lot with a comparable handmade Phoenix Bird Oolong.