Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid) Dancong Oolong Tea – Gongfu Brewing Guide
Mi Lan Xiang (also known as Honey Orchid Oolong) has a soul captured in one word: "honey." But what exactly does this unique honey-scented fragrance of oolong tea taste like?
The Gongfu Tea Ritual: Step-by-Step Brewing
Today, for this traditional Gongfu tea brewing session, let’s explore one of the most iconic Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong teas from Chaozhou, Guangdong — Dan Cong Mi Lan Xiang Roasted Oolong Tea.
Preparing the Tea: Warming and Smelling the Dry Leaves
When brewing this tea, I first use 100 ℃ boiling water to quickly warm the teaware, rinsing the gaiwan, tea cups, and fairness pitcher. Then I add 8 grams of tea leaves into the gaiwan. You can see the tightly curled, thick, dark-brown, oily leaves of this Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong.
(Video: Gongfu Tea Brewing of Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong Oolong Tea)
Before adding water, I gently swirl the gaiwan to hear the crisp clinking of tea leaves against the porcelain; bringing it close, I can sense the rich aroma released by the dry tea warmed by the vessel. Due to video angle and time constraints, the warming of the teaware and dry leaf smelling steps aren’t fully shown, but they are indispensable preparations for every Gongfu tea brewing ritual I perform.
This process not only adds to the joy of tea making but also helps me develop long-term sensitivity to dry tea — such as judging the roasting level by the tea master, the freshness of the leaves, and adjusting steeping times accordingly. I can even assess whether the tea’s storage environment has proper temperature and humidity, or if the storage is reasonable, based on the dry tea’s aroma at this moment.
First Infusion: Washing the Tea Leaves
Next, I pour boiling water to brew the first infusion: fill the gaiwan and let it steep for about 3 seconds, then discard this first brew as a rinse.
At this stage, a delicate orchid fragrance emerges. This rinse removes impurities from the leaves’ surface and awakens the tea’s trapped aroma, preparing it to release its enchanting fragrance.
Formal Brewing: Controlling Steeping Time
After rinsing, pour boiling water again for the formal brew. Precise control of steeping time according to personal taste is crucial. This Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong Oolong Tea (also called Dan Cong Oolong Tea) is medium-roasted, with a recommended steeping time of about 5 seconds.
Observing the Tea Liquor
Pour the brewed tea into a clear fairness pitcher, revealing a golden-yellow, bright, and clear liquor that flows like a gentle stream. Then distribute the tea into small, delicate cups, beginning a wonderful tea tasting guide for Oolong tea brewing.
Tasting Notes: Aroma and Flavor Profile
When tasting, gently inhale the aroma first; it leads you into a world of orchid fragrance. The scent seems to tell the story of Mi Lan Xiang, where rich honey notes and elegant orchid aromas weave perfectly together. Then, savor the tea liquor slowly and feel it dance on your tongue.
The tea flows smoothly and richly, sweet with a lingering aftertaste. The aroma does not fade after swallowing but remains long on the lips and teeth. After drinking, the mouth resonates with orchid fragrance, with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste and comfortable throat sensation.
This is the orchid aroma and roasted oolong flavor of Phoenix Mountain’s (Fenghuang Shan) Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong Oolong Tea!
Recommended Steeping Times for Mi Lan Xiang
Next, I would like to share my recommended steeping times for brewing this Mi Lan Xiang, for your reference. The tea amount and brewing time are based on my years of professional experience and the taste preferences of most customers, along with some of my personal preferences.
Please understand that no tea has an absolute standard steeping time or amount; the best is what suits your personal taste. I hope this helps you find your own brewing rhythm and develop a personal guide to Oolong tea brewing.
- For infusions 1 to 8, control the steeping time between 0 and 15 seconds.
- For infusions 9 to 15, extend the steeping time to about 15 to 25 seconds.
- After the 20th infusion, the steeping time can be extended to around 30 seconds.
Learn More and Explore Other Dan Cong Oolong Teas
To learn more about Mi Lan Xiang Dan Cong Oolong Tea, please visit: Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid): The Signature Phoenix Dancong Oolong Tea
If you are interested in brewing methods and detailed information on other Dan Cong Oolong tea varieties, feel free to visit the Chinese Tea Group’s Explore Dan Cong Oolong Tea Collection. As a reminder, each of our tea samples includes a detailed brewing video to help you easily master Oolong tea brewing techniques, enjoy authentic flavors, and minimize waste.
