When it comes to teas with the most distinctive aromas, Fenghuang Dancong undoubtedly takes pride of place. Every growing region and every tea variety boasts its own unique fragrance. Just like master French perfumers, the tea masters in Chaozhou have captured the delicate scents of orchid, honey orchid, magnolia, tuberose, grapefruit blossom, gardenia and more in the tea leaves. What's more, one can even detect the subtle evolution of the aroma across the top, middle and base notes—simply savoring the fragrance is a delight in itself.
Among all Fenghuang Dancong teas, if I had to choose a favorite, it would definitely be the Songzhong (Song Dynasty Variety). Its profound heritage and rich layers of flavor are well worth exploring and experiencing for every tea lover. Today, Tongxinshe Teahouse is delighted to present our 2025 Ancient Tree Dongfanghong Dancong from Da'an Village, crafted from tea trees with a 200-year history—a true gem and one of my personal favorites among all Dancong teas.
The mother tree of Dongfanghong Dancong is known as "Songcha" (Song Dynasty Tea). It has also been called "Yanshangzhen" (Precious Treasure on the Cliff), "Tuanjieshu" (Unity Tree), "Dongfanghong" and "Zhuxi Cha" (Chairman's Tea) over the years. Renowned for its rare genetic lineage, ancient tree age and distinctive flavor profile, this tea carries a wealth of mysterious tales behind its various names. Each name tells a story, contributing to the timeless allure of Fenghuang tea.
Back in 1955, to express gratitude to the Communist Party for leading people to a better life and to Chairman Mao for his great contributions, Wen Yongji—one of the "Three Great Tea Masters" of Fenghuang Wudong Mountain at that time—crafted 1 kilogram of Songcha and presented it to Chairman Mao for tasting. Since then, the tea has been named "Dongfanghong". According to local tea farmers, while the mother Songcha tree produces tea with exceptional terroir-driven flavor, it is extremely challenging to bring out the floral and fruity notes through processing techniques. As a result, large-scale propagation of the mother tree has never been realized, with only a limited number of second and third-generation trees in existence, making it a rare find among local tea plantations. Later on, the name "Dongfanghong" became associated with two types of tea: one derived from the mother tree's descendants, and the other from local Shui Xian tea trees that grow naturally and exhibit similar characteristics to Songcha, with distinct terroir and process-driven aromas.
Our premium Ancient Tree Dongfanghong tea boasts a delicate and lingering floral fragrance, complemented by a prominent and long-lasting terroir-driven aroma. On the palate, it offers a smooth and mellow taste with a subtle hint of bitterness, followed by a rich and enduring sweetness. Known as the "Perfume of Teas" among connoisseurs, Fenghuang Dancong's true charm lies in its complex aroma profile. With each infusion, tea lovers can experience evolving flavors and textures—a layered tasting experience that stems from the tea's abundant natural compounds. This is precisely why seasoned Dancong enthusiasts always prioritize the tea's altitude and origin when selecting their brew.
Note on the added content about craftsmanship and quality pursuit in the Chinese version:
This tea was harvested in 2025 and meticulously crafted to perfection in 2026. Every step of the production process reflects our unwavering commitment to precise craftsmanship and relentless pursuit of exceptional quality.