The Mi Lan Xiang Honey Orchid Dancong is an extremely succulent and aromatic oolong tea cultivar. Mi Lan Xiang, meaning “honey & orchid aroma,” is a very popular Dancong Oolong cultivar that is beloved for its luscious and deep tasting notes of nectarine, honey-sweet nectar, and orchid aroma, balanced with an elegant astringency and sappy sweetness. Depending on the roasting level, the inherent flavors of fruits and flowers in Mi Lan Xiang can be expressed in light, fragrant floral roasts or deeper, sweeter roasts that highlight honey, apricots, fruit compote, and peach pie. This high mountain micro-lot of Mi Lan Xiang has what tea tasters refer to as Shan Yun, which describes the unique characteristics imparted to tea by the specific mountainous region where it is grown. The elevation, soil composition, climate, and local ecosystem of Phoenix Mountain contribute to this tea’s flavor and aroma, reflecting the essence of its origin. Shan Yun encapsulates the depth and complexity of aromas and flavors found in high-quality oolong teas like Phoenix Dancong and Wuyi Rock Tea. Shan Yun signifies a harmonious balance of floral, fruity, and mineral notes often associated with teas cultivated at high elevations within unique mountain topographies. In the context of traditional tea tasting, Shan Yun means “mountain resonance” or “mountain charm” and emphasizes the connection between the tea, its environment, and the artisanal practices involved in its production. This batch of Mi Lan Xiang embodies that sense of Shan Yun and reveals layers of taste, aroma, and fine tannin structure over the course of several infusions. Phoenix Dancong is a cherished style of oolong tea that is geographically specific and only produced in the Fenghuang “Phoenix” Mountain range of Chaozhou, a coastal region of Guangdong, China. This region is celebrated for its mineral-rich soils, foggy climate, and rocky landscapes that produce teas with fine tannin structures, layered flavors, and long-lasting aromas. It is also home to a diverse range of oolong tea cultivars developed through centuries of careful, selective cultivation. The Phoenix Mountain teas are unlike any others and can only be produced in this region. The series of oolong teas made here are referred to as “Single Tree” Dancong oolong and are typically named after their xiang, or “aroma” type. Although most Dancong does not come from a single tree, these teas are usually not blended and typically represent a single cultivar from a single grove and harvest cycle—showcasing the unique genetics of the cultivar and the magnificent terroir of this renowned tea region.
