Lao Cong Ao Fu Hou Dancong

This is the first time Jing Tea Shop is introducing Ao Fu Hou to our esteemed Dancong tea connoisseurs.

Ao Fu Hou is a tea that embodies a certain urgency, almost as though it’s in a race against time. Its harvest period is exceptionally short—blink, and you’ll miss it. If you’re not careful, the leaves will grow too old or too light in flavor. Especially in spring, when the tender notes don’t linger long, once the leaves near maturity, they must be plucked and processed within a matter of days. Miss that narrow window, and you’re left with either overripe or insipid tea. This is exactly why it can’t be grown or grafted in abundance—like a rare gem, it only reveals its true beauty to those who are patient and precise.

Ao Fu Hou, its fragrance is a clear variation of the Huangzhi fragrance, but with a unique twist—sweet, yet unmistakably distinctive. The scent is gentle and natural, a harmonious blend of floral notes and sweetness that lingers long after the first inhalation. The tea leaves themselves are tightly rolled, a rich reddish-brown hue that glows with an almost liquid luster. The fragrance dances between creamy notes and soft floral touches, sweet yet complex, with a lasting aftertaste that’s deeply satisfying. It reminds me of the candy-like sweetness of "Songzhong" or "Jue Duo Zai," but with a character all its own.

When brewed, this tea exudes a distinctly fragrant yellow gardenia aroma, with an orange-yellow liquor that sparkles in the cup. The taste is smooth and rich, the kind that leaves your lips tingling with its sweetness, and it has a remarkable ability to be steeped again and again, holding its character across multiple infusions. Even after a dozen brews, the sweetness continues to surprise and delight, its depth never diminishing.

Ao Fu Hou stands out among the Phoenix Dancong for its "prominent sweetness." It’s the kind of sweetness that’s pure and simple—like sugarcane or sugar water—warm and satisfying, yet subtly complex. The natural spiciness it carries provides a brief, intense sharpness that quickly softens into sweetness, creating that perfect contrast of bitterness followed by a rush of sugar-sweet delight.

When preparing the tea—warming the cup, adding the leaves, and shaking gently—its fragrance rises like a delicate cloud of gardenia. The sweet, familiar scent fills the air, as if you want to let it linger just a bit longer. As you brew it again and again, the fragrance doesn’t fade. At high temperatures, it’s bold and striking; as it cools, it becomes fresh and inviting, layers of aroma unfolding before you. This is no mere fragrance drifting in the air—it integrates seamlessly into the tea, infusing each sip with a lasting and perfect harmony. The sensation of the fragrance lingering on your lips and in your mouth after a sip is truly a treat.

In short, Ao Fu Hou is a Dancong that captivates with its lasting fragrance, sweet complexity, and smooth depth. Every sip is a quiet indulgence, an experience you can’t quite let go of. It’s a tea that invites you to savor it slowly, to appreciate the richness of its flavor and the sweetness that fills the senses—simply irresistible.

Information

Origine: Chao Zhou, Guang Dong province
Harvesting area: Feng Huang Town, Feng Xi Village, Dan Hu ethnic Village
Plantation altitude: ~700 m above sea level
Harvesting: Spring 2024
Tea varietal: Ao Fu Hou
Average tree age: 50yo
Net weight: 50gr

Suggestions

Yixing pairing: Pin Zi Ni, Chao Zhou teapot, Qing Shui Ni, Xiao Hong Ni.
Water temperature: 90C
Storage: Drink now, store cool and dry