In recent years, Chaozhou tourism has boomed. Alongside the iconic Chaoshan cuisine like beef hotpot and raw pickles, the traditional gongfu tea experience has become a must-visit for travelers. As the saying goes, Chaozhou is like a giant teahouse, with every household a private booth. Step inside, and hospitable Chaoshan locals will warmly invite you to "ship cha" (drink tea in Chaoshan dialect).
Tea is known as "chami" (tea rice) here, a staple for everyone from 80-year-olds to 3-year-olds—some even have tea three times a day. Their go-to "chami" is Phoenix Dancong tea from Chaozhou.
The earliest written record of Phoenix Dancong dates back to 1584 in Chaozhou Prefecture Gazette, stating annual tributes of "150 jin of leaf tea and 108 jin 3 liang of bud tea" from Raoping County (where Fenghuang Town once belonged). This proves its fame in the Ming Dynasty, though the planting history in Fenghuang Town likely exceeds 475 years. Folklore traces its imperial tribute status to the late Southern Song Dynasty: when Emperor Zhao Bing fled south and passed through Fenghuang Mountain, thirsty, he was offered red tea by She people. The emperor named it "Song Tea," sparking widespread cultivation.
Fenghuang Mountain’s superior natural environment, long tea-planting history, and tea farmers’ expertise have birthed numerous Phoenix Dancong varieties. Classified by leaf size (large, medium, small), color (black, red, white), picking time (extra-early, early, mid, late), and most commonly by aroma, it includes ten major types like Gardenia, Orchid, Magnolia, and Almond, plus others like Pomelo Flower and Bitter Tea.
Today, Tongxinshe Teahouse presents the 2025 "Juduozai," an Almond-aroma Dancong. Named for its distinct serrated leaves, this premium variety comes from Daan Village, with century-old tea trees. Crafted by traditional Phoenix Dancong techniques and charcoal roasting, it offers a full throat rhyme and subtle bush charm.
Brewing reveals golden honey-orange liquor with fresh almond fragrance and elegant, uplifting floral notes. The thick, chewy茶汤 (tea soup) carries rich honey tones, while the aftertaste lingers sweetly. Beyond the pure almond aroma, it exudes the steady, mellow charm of old tea trees—complex yet harmonious.
A good tea tells the story of leaves that wandered through mountains and valleys. Its aroma is a footnote to time, decoded by lips and teeth. I’m Jon from Tongxinshe Teahouse, a tea seeker sharing this cherished brew with you. Let’s savor the unique flavor of Juduozai and the profound heritage of Chaozhou tea culture together.