Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid): The Signature Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea

Mi Lan Xiang (also known as Honey Orchid) is the signature variety of Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea and one of the most prized among its ten classic aroma types.

As a renowned category of Chinese oolong tea, Phoenix Dancong is deeply rooted in tradition, and Mi Lan Xiang traces its origin back to the mother tree lineage of the local Shuixian varietal. It was carefully cultivated through natural hybridization and rigorous selection from outstanding single tea bushes.

Origins & Cultivation: The 600-Year Legacy of Mi Lan Xiang

The mother tree is over 600 years old and grows in one of China’s four core oolong-producing regions — Fenghuang Shan (Phoenix Mountain) in Chaozhou. For this reason, the tea is commonly referred to internationally as Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea or simply “Phoenix Oolong Tea,” while domestically it is more often called “Fenghuang Dancong.”

Over the years, through close collaboration with local tea farmers, Chinese Tea Group has often heard veteran tea masters recall that as early as the late 1970s to early 1980s, Mi Lan Xiang had already been widely planted across Phoenix Mountain — from the foothills to the peaks, spanning various altitudes. Today, most of these tea trees are 40 to 50 years old, and their age contributes greatly to Mi Lan Xiang’s popularity in the Chinese tea market.

Its cultivation is widespread, ranging from affordable, low-elevation teas ideal for daily drinking to premium High Mountain varieties with rich, layered aromas — highly sought after by serious tea enthusiasts of Fenghuang Dancong Oolong Tea.

We invite you to explore our Fenghuang Dan Cong Oolong Tea Collection, where you can find detailed information on various varieties, brewing tips, and high-quality selections offered at authentic origin prices, perfect for every tea lover.

Why Spring’s First Harvest Defines Dancong Quality

Each spring, as the earth warms and Phoenix Mountain turns lush and green, Mi Lan Xiang becomes one of the first Dancong oolongs to be harvested — marking the official start of the spring tea season. Because it hits the market early, it is often seen as a symbol of good fortune, known as the "first bloom" of the Dancong harvest and a promising start to a new year of fine tea.

Spring-harvested Mi Lan Xiang is considered the highest in quality. However, due to the traditional high-temperature, long-duration roasting method used for this type of Dancong, it is not best consumed immediately after production. Instead, it benefits from a few months of resting — known as “retreating the fire,” a process where the tea’s roasted character mellows over time, allowing the aroma to stabilize and the flavor to become more balanced.

Around five months later, just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the tea reaches its ideal drinking window. From there, Mi Lan Xiang continues to mature with age, becoming smoother and more complex over time.

Tea as Medicine: TCM Principles Behind Mi Lan Xiang

We have a friend who is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner from the Chaoshan region, whose family has been practicing medicine for seven generations. He is very fond of drinking Mi Lan Xiang and occasionally even incorporates it into herbal prescriptions as a supportive tea.

One time while drinking tea together, I asked him about the medicinal benefits of Mi Lan Xiang in TCM. He explained that aged Mi Lan Xiang — known as “vintage tea” — can be used to help treat throat inflammation, providing cough relief, phlegm reduction, and clearing heat and toxins.

For those suffering from bloating and abdominal discomfort, it also aids digestion and alleviates discomfort. This is due to the natural aromatic compounds in Mi Lan Xiang, which stimulate digestive enzyme secretion and help improve spleen and stomach function.

After hearing his explanation, we couldn’t help but recall that thousands of years ago, tea was first discovered and used as medicine. The traditional medicinal properties of Mi Lan Xiang seem to echo this ancient origin of tea as a “medicine within the drink.”

Want to learn how to brew this prized Mi Lan Xiang Dancong Oolong using the traditional Gongfu tea method?

Check out our detailed brewing guide — Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid) Dancong Oolong Tea – Gongfu Brewing Guide — to unlock its unique floral aroma and complex layers.