The Greatest 10 Types of Dancong Oolongs

If drinking perfume were possible, that would be Dancong Oolong. And a good tasting one, no less.

Dancong, meaning a single (单 dān) shrub (丛 cōng), refer to exceptionally aromatic oolong teas from Phoenix Mountain (凤凰山) in Chaozhou, Guangdong. Prized for their aromatic diversity, top grade dancongs offer bursts of floral and fruity flavours, without actual flowers or fruits added. Highly addictive.

Among dozens, ten elite aroma profiles stand above others for their unparalled fragrance and character. These are referred to as the Top 10 Dancong Oolongs (凤凰单丛十大香型).

A semi-oxidised tea, Dancong Oolongs feature an iconic gentle red hue along the edges of its otherwise green leaves.

1. HUANGZHIXIANG (黄枝香) – Gardenia

Fragrance: Sweet gardenia and jasmine
Why it stands out: A classic starter Dancong with a heady floral nose, gentle body, and easy charm.

2. MILANXIANG (蜜兰香) – Honey Orchid

Fragrance: Honey, ripe lychees, orchid
Why it stands out: Perhaps the most famous Dancong, known for its rich aroma and crowd-pleasing sweetness.

Teahills' top-grade MILANXIANG, harvested from the heart of Wudong Mountain, a peak within Phoenix Mountain, and the original core region for Dancong oolong teas.

3. YULANXIANG (玉兰香) - Magnolia

Fragrance: Sweet magnolia blossoms, nectar
Why it stands out: Elegant and high-pitched in aroma. Often used to showcase the light, airy side of Dancong.

4. ZHILANXIANG (芝兰香) – Wild Orchid

Fragrance: Robust wild orchid fragrance
Why it stands out: ZHILAN is used to describe noble orchids. This tea captures that fleeting floral grace.

5. JIANGHUAXIANG (姜花香) – Ginger Lily

Fragrance: Refreshingly sweet-spicy
Why it stands out: Gingerly sharpness that cuts through, resulting in a sophisticated aroma that is not cloyingly sweet.

6. YELAIXIANG (夜来香) – Night-Blooming Jasmine

Fragrance: Delicate jasmine notes, with subtle undertones of mango
Why it stands out: Named after the tropical night jasmine flower. Elusive and romantic.

7. ROUGUIXIANG (肉桂香) – Cinnamon

Fragrance: Sweet spice, notes of cassia fragrance
Why it stands out: Not to be confused with the Wuyi Rock Tea ROUGUI — this Dancong has its own sweet-woody character.

8. XINGRENXIANG (杏仁香) – Almond

Fragrance: Nutty, toasted almonds
Why it stands out: Uniquely sweet-nutty, for seasoned drinkers that appreciate complexity beyond fruity floral flavours.

9. GUIHUAXIANG (桂花香) – Osmanthus

Fragrance: Osmanthus, floral with a hint of syrup
Why it stands out: Masterfully crafted to achieve osmanthus notes, in the tea leaves without the use of osmanthus.

10. MOLIXIANG (茉莉香) – Jasmine

Fragrance: Jasmine blossoms
Why it stands out: Similar to other dancong oolongs named after flowers, no actual flowers were used to achieve this tea's exceptional similarity to jasmine.

Final Thoughts: We Love Dancongs

Dancong oolongs are one of China's most expressive tea categories, each cultivar likened to flowers or fruits, without the addition of any.

The skill of the tea master lies in coaxing out these natural fragrances - careful picking, oxidation, roasting, and patience, to bring out the soul of the teas.

At Teahills, we source Dancong teas directly from Wudong Mountain within Phoenix Mountain - known to be the best place for Dancong Oolongs, and also its birthplace.