As morning mist shrouds the tea plantations of Fenghuang Mountain with a frosty chill, the last wisp of tea aroma in 2025 settles gently on the tea table at Tongxin She Teahouse. This is Xuepian Yashi Xiang, a unique winter gift from Phoenix Dancong. "Xuepian" is the poetic name for winter tea in the Phoenix Dancong tradition, marking the final harvest of the year. After this, the tea trees retreat into dormancy, awaiting the spring harvest—miss it, and you’ll face a full year of waiting.
In the four seasons of Phoenix Dancong tea, Xuepian reigns supreme as the "King of Aromas." Renowned for its fragrance, Phoenix Dancong reaches its aromatic peak with Xuepian. Its scent is not subtle but ethereally clear and penetrating, carrying the tea trees’ resolute, last-ditch effort to thrive against the cold. Open the tea caddy at Tongxin She, and sweet floral and fruity notes, intertwined with a unique milky aroma, rush forth—an invigorating scent that captivates all lovers of intense fragrances instantly, as if the entire winter charm of Fenghuang Mountain is sealed within each curled tea leaf.
The preciousness of this aroma stems from nature’s bounty and the accumulation of time. As temperatures plummet in winter, tea tree growth slows. Instead of sprouting hastily, they quietly absorb nutrients from the soil, concentrating aromatic compounds. Produced in Da’an Village, at an average altitude of 1,000 meters, this tea benefits from the region’s extreme day-night temperature differences and pure mist—ideal conditions for slow growth. Rare frost in winter adds an icy elegance to the aroma; the later the harvest, the superior the quality, yet the sparser the yield. No wonder Xuepian is hailed as "soft gold among teas" by connoisseurs.
Choosing Yashi Xiang for Xuepian is a match made in heaven. Yashi Xiang, originally named for its growth in "duck dung soil" (later renamed Silver Flower Fragrance), is already a standout among high-aroma Phoenix Dancong varieties. When Yashi Xiang meets the winter aging process of Xuepian, it becomes a legend of intense fragrance—perfectly embodying Xuepian’s soaring aroma and distinctive "snow flavor." With the first sip, floral notes burst forth, followed by a silky smooth texture as refreshing as snow. It’s astonishing: this is a piping hot tea, yet it delivers a crisp, pure sensation—an unforgettable taste exclusive to winter Xuepian.
Brewing reveals its true character. The dry tea leaves are thick, tightly curled, and glossy dark brown. Use 8g of tea with a 120ml gaiwan; upon pouring boiling water, an aromatic blend of orchid, fruit, and milk rises. The first infusion is quick—an orange-yellow, bright liquor with a surprisingly mellow, sweet taste, free of bitterness. After the third infusion, the aroma grows richer and longer-lasting, the liquor bold yet refined, with a fresh sweetness infused with the mellow charm of old trees—a testament to the aged Yashi Xiang’s years of cultivation. Even after more than ten infusions, the sweetness lingers, with a lingering sweetness in the throat, like the tender affection of young lovers—fragrant yet not cloying, mellow with a hint of sweetness.
Like winter cherry blossoms, Xuepian Yashi Xiang dazzles the world but fades quickly—a once-in-a-year encounter. It is the culmination of Fenghuang Mountain’s year, embodying the sun and frost of winter, as well as the tea growers’ reverence for nature. At Tongxin She’s tea table, brew a pot of 2025 Xuepian Yashi Xiang: watch the steam curl, inhale the soaring aroma, and savor the smooth liquor—you’ll know the entire year’s wait was worth it. May you not miss this winter delight, and in this crisp season, encounter this tea aroma steeped in time, letting its intense fragrance and pure smoothness warm your entire winter.