Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong
An older and more highly regarded Dan Cong aroma type than Mi Lan Xiang, named for the orchid fragrance it carries. It is drier and more restrained, with less honey and more of the mineral structure that Phoenix Mountain growers regard as the mark of a serious tea.
Character
More austere than Mi Lan Xiang and considerably harder to brew well, with the floral character sitting over a firm mineral spine rather than over sweetness.
- Flavour
- Floral, Mineral
- Aroma
- Orchid
- Mouthfeel
- Astringent, Bitter, Drying, Complex
- Complexity
- Layered
- Notes
- orchid, cut flowers, mineral, green almond
- Aftertaste
- Dry, floral and long.
Moderate intensity: noticeable weight or grip, but neither dominates the cup.
Provenance and production
- Origin
- China
- Region
- Phoenix Mountain
- Oxidation
- Partially oxidised
- Roast
- Light
- Harvest
- Spring
- Processing
- Withering → Bruising (shaking) → Kill-green (fixation) → Rolling and shaping → Roasting
Brewing
Gongfu brewing (gaiwan)
5–6 g/100 ml · 95–100 °C · 6 authored infusions
Western brewing (teapot or mug)
1.5–2.5 g/100 ml · 90–95 °C · 2 authored infusions
No caffeine estimate is authored for this tea. TeaHQ does not infer one from its category, because category predicts caffeine poorly — matcha and gyokuro carry more than many black teas.
If you like this
Grouped by why they were suggested, strongest reason first. Nothing here is a blended score — a suggestion appears under the best reason that exists for it, and never under a weaker one as well.
Editorially linked
Someone wrote down why these two belong together. The note below is theirs.
- You Hua Xiang
Two floral Dan Cong aroma types named for different flowers. The distinctions between aroma types are real and finer than most sellers' labelling supports.
Similar sensory profile
Shares controlled flavour, aroma and mouthfeel descriptors. A looser match — two teas can share descriptors and still taste nothing alike.
- Ya Shi Xiang Dan Cong
Shares 6 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, mineral, astringent, bitter, complex and orchid.
- Huang Zhi Xiang Dan Cong
Shares 5 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, bitter, astringent, complex and orchid.
- Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong
Shares 5 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, astringent, bitter, complex and orchid.
- Phoenix Dan Cong
Shares 5 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, astringent, bitter, complex and orchid.
- Sheng pu-erh (raw)
Shares 5 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, mineral, bitter, astringent and complex.
- Bulang sheng pu-erh
Shares 4 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: mineral, bitter, astringent and complex.
- Duyun Mao Jian
Shares 4 descriptors with Zhi Lan Xiang Dan Cong: floral, mineral, drying and astringent.