Dianhong Classic, traditional black tea
$ 17.70
Feng Qing Golden Tip:
Some people think that the more the golden tip, the better the quality of a black tea. For a real connoisseur, however, it is the taste profile made possible by properly managing all the variables throughout production that matters. Don’t be convinced by the rich dark chocolate aroma of the dry leaves either. What matters is the round and complex body in the clear deep golden red liquor possible only with the first flush leaves from the deep mountains in Fengqing, the origin of Dianhong.
Net weight: 50 g ( 1.8 oz ) in Kraft-alu pack
In stock
鳳慶金毫 滇紅經典
Taste profile
Nose: Strong aroma of dark chocolate in a smoky overtone. Flowery impression with accents of peach and honey. Light peppery notes. Palate: Clear, deep amber colour infusion with bright yellow brim. Smooth, flowery body with silky texture that can be dry when infused at proper strength. Malty undertone with pleasant bites of peppercorn. Clear citric accents and sparks of lemon zest dependent on infusion strength and temperature. Finish: Slow but steady sweet aftertaste with rolled oat overtone.
Infusion tips:
Gongfu approach yields quite a different taste profile from the conventional one. So does infusion temperature as well as infusion strength. Citrus level increases as the temperature nears boiling. Optimum between 95~90°C. Do experiment with this tea and see which suits your preference.
A little note about the cultivar for Dianhong
Although most Dianhong varieties and selections from Fengqing are produced with cultivars directly or indirectly related with Camellia sinensis variety assamica, the general taste profile is quite different from black teas from Assam, or the rest of India, for that matter.
Note also that the indigenous cultivars in most of Yunnan are of the assamica variety but very different from from production cultivars used outside of China. Locally, such cultivars are grouped under the concept of “Da Ye Zhong”, or Big Leaf Variety. It is a whole family of trees different from what are used in neighbouring India or Nepal, but related. Certain production cultivars in China have been crossed with plants from India though. Plant development in tea production is a crucial and ongoing process.
Taxonomy of the tea plant drawn in the early days when the West discovered tea needs quite an amount of work for better accuracy. Do compare the taste difference to discover the diversity and facts.
Additional information
| Weight | 100 g |
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| Dimensions | 18 × 9 × 5 cm |
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Reviews(2)
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Black Leaf Special, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, TeaFenghuang Da Wuye:
If classic Phoenix oolongs are too sweet, and bouquet ones too florally aromatic for you, Tea Hong’s Black Leaf Special maybe your cup of tea. It is produced from a new cultivar developed for maltiness and complexity in taste. A very different oolong from the rest. Our special selection is harvested from higher altitudes near the oolong mecca that is Wudong.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
Orchid Literati, Phoenix dancong oolong
Cool Energy, Fenghuang | Phoenix, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Oolongs, TeaCaolan Dancong — Duck Poo Tea
As a person continues to discover tea, sometimes finding one with subtle and yet complex fineness seems a lot more exciting than one with strong impressions. That is how we feel when we got hold of this. The locals aptly name it “Cao-lan” (Cymbidium goeringii), the rare orchid which ancient Chinese literati had revered for millenniums for its understated beauty and fragrance*. The long, sweet yet subtle taste and aftertaste of this tea echos the sentiments for the civilized persistence for humanity virtues of the classic eras. If you enjoy our Eight Immortals, Orchid Literati will take you to another level.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack 
White Peony Classic Long, traditional white tea
Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Cool Energy, Tea, White teasZhenghe Mudan Wang
While White Peony from Fuding tastes more floral, that from the other earliest region, Zhenghe, tastes longer and deeper. The more tedious curing process is marked by the darker colors on the leaves. While many prize Silver Needle Supreme for its delicate taste and furry appearance, a superb traditional white tea as White Peony Classic Long delivers a more impressive taste experience. That may explain why this Mudan Wang, aka King of White Peony, is considered the best and most classical representation from the origin, and a favourite by many tea connoisseurs. As most aficionados prefer it, we have always matured this tea adequately before releasing it in the shop. The current stock is a single batch first flush ( i.e. pre-Qing-ming ) harvest from 2019.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in wide Kraft-alu pack 
Huangshan Maofeng Supreme, traditional green tea
Cool Energy, Green teas, Huangshan & Anhui, Lighter Aromas, Milder Tastes, TeaPre-Qingming Maofeng:
Huangshan (translate: Yellow Mountain) is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a China national conservation. Besides beautiful sceneries, it is also the origin for many a fine teas, such as Huangshan Maofeng. The tender young leaf shoot to make Tea Hong's Huangshan Maofeng Supreme is always plucked with one or two tiny immediate leaves before Spring Equinoix, and always before Qing Ming. Always from the few small family tea farms in the high mountains that we buy from. It is a rare quality even in the market in Huangshan, and if you ever found it, would be at a much higher price. Working directly with producers is a principal at Tea Hong. While offering quality at a reasonable price is one immediate benefit that you as a consumer can enjoy, there are more important reasons and not so immediate results that we aim at. Your patronage means great support for our cause.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack
Delightful Taste
My wife and I tried to discern the taste profile of Dianhong Classic 2019 as described by Leo Kwan and reviewer Karen Ager, but our taste buds were not refined enough to match their descriptions to the taste we experienced. Suffice to say that we found this tea delightful and calming, and we enjoyed it very much! We brewed gong fu style and the high quality of tea was maintained through many rounds of brewing, varying the rounds with increasing steeping time and temperature!
Indeed, the experience of taste can be a very subjective matter. As you have pointed out the infusion method matters. A different way will most definitely give you another experience. I am glad you have enjoyed the tea, every batch of which has taken me so much work to finalise.
Leo Kwan
Complex and Unusual
Acquired tastes can be perplexing or intriguing, depending on your viewpoint. Count me as intrigued after sampling a pre-release packet of Dianhong Classic. The dry tea leaves have a strangely pleasant aroma of roasted cashews and aged cheddar. When infused, the scent transforms into something altogether different, vaguely akin to the fragrant flower, Freesia. Drinking this tea gives yet a third impression, the hardest of all to describe. To my western palate, it’s like stepping onto the moon – uncharted territory and taste adventure combined. Is it blood orange or river stone? Bittersweet or crystalline? I cannot describe this unusual, slowly unfolding taste. Thank you for the opportunity to sample one of the teas from your new line. For me, Dianhong Classic is a riddle that may never be solved.