Since ancient times, places of outstanding natural beauty have always been able to nurture exceptional species. Phoenix Mountain, known as the “Roof of Chaozhou,” is shrouded in mist all day long, majestic and magnificent, making it most suitable for Tea tree growth. It is in this soil that a batch of high-fragrance Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees with rich flavor characteristics are preserved. Many Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees retain their long-lasting flavor under the superior nourishment of Phoenix Mountain's feng shui, and the older the tree, the more pronounced the flavor, making them a rarity among many tea enthusiasts.

The ancient tea trees and various fragrant types of Phoenix Dancong tea are often mentioned, but few may know much about the Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees. This time, we will review some Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees; let's see how many you know?

01

Mother Tree of Dian Song (Song Variety)

Age: About 600 years

Origin: Ancient Tea Garden of Dian Village, Phoenix Town, Chao'an District

The Dian Song mother tree is one of the best among Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees, renowned far and wide. Its internal quality is mellow, with a lingering sweetness. It is said to be a descendant of the “sexual lineage” of “Old Song Tea” from the village of Center Yin in Wudong, hence it also has another name, “Song Seedling.” It belongs to the classic Huang Zhi (Branch) fragrance type among the top ten fragrances. The Dian Song mother tree stands about 7 meters tall, with a canopy width of approximately 6.8 meters. It is the largest and highest-yielding ancient tea tree on Phoenix Mountain, generally producing about 13 pounds of raw tea, priced at around 40,000 RMB per pound.

02

Mother Tree of Ju Duozai (Saw Leaflet)

Image Source: Fengming Pavilion Chao Art Space

Age: About 380 years

Origin: Wudong Village, Phoenix Mountain

Ju Duozai Dancong is named after its small, deep, and sharp sawtooth edges, which resemble a small iron saw. The Ju Duozai mother tree is 3.5 meters tall and belongs to the apricot kernel fragrance type. Its tea character is restrained, accumulating strength before a burst of flavor. To ensure the quality of the mother tree, only Spring Tea is picked once a year, and the single plant can yield over 10 pounds, with normal production ranging from 8 to 10 pounds.

03

Mother Tree of Baxian (Eight Immortals)

Age: About 100 years

Origin: Li'eping, Wudong, Phoenix

The original Baxian mother tree grows in the village of Ya Hou in Fengxi. More than a hundred years ago, the tea farmer Wen Hun from Wudong cut branches from the large-leaved tea plant in Ya Hou for propagation, and only eight survived, hence the name “Baxian.”

The old Baxian has a distinctive rippled leaf surface and slender trunk. This Baxian mother tree is the first-generation old Baxian, with a richer taste and ample honey fragrance. It is sweet and smooth upon entry. For experienced tea drinkers, Baxian Phoenix Dancong tea is considered a classic in the tea world, winning numerous awards in competitions and widely favored by the market. Harvesting begins in the third lunar month each year, making it the “last tea of the season.”

04

Mother Tree of Aofuhou

Age: 350 years

Origin: Danhu Village, Fengxi

The Aofuhou mother tree grows in a mountain ravine above Danhu Village on Phoenix Mountain, behind a large stone. It was initially called “Aojuehou” but later renamed Aofuhou due to its outstanding fragrance. The Aofuhou Phoenix Dancong tea mother tree produces about 5 pounds of raw tea annually, with the price reaching up to 38,000 RMB per pound!

05

Mother Tree of Lao Xianweng (Old Immortal)

Image Source: Shanhui Dancong

Age: About 400 years

Origin: Li'eping Village, Wudong

The Lao Xianweng Dancong mother tree belongs to the Huang Zhi fragrance type among the top ten fragrances. It is relatively tall, standing over 2.7 meters high, with a trunk circumference of about 1.04 meters. The Lao Xianweng Dancong mother tree has dense branches, with the lowest branch located 20 centimeters from the ground. Due to its age, reproductive growth has decreased, and the Lao Xianweng Dancong mother tree has neither flowers nor fruit in recent years, with a low yield of about 3 pounds per plant. The fragrance of Lao Xianweng Phoenix Dancong tea lives up to its name, being light yet very ethereal and intriguing. Less than 10 meters away from the Lao Xianweng mother tree is the planting site of Oriental Red No. 2. For many who visit the tea mountains, Lao Xianweng and Oriental Red No. 2 are must-visit spots.

06

Mother Tree of Yashi Xiang (Duck Feces Fragrance)

Age: About 180 years

Origin: Xiaopingkengtou Village, Fengxi Management Area, Phoenix Mountain

The Yashi Xiang Dancong mother tree stands about 3.38 meters tall, with dark green leaves, a slightly raised leaf surface, and slightly inward-curving leaves. The typical sprouting period for spring buds is before the Spring Equinox, and the picking period for spring tea is 10 days after Qingming. During each harvest, one leaf is left on the plant, with two out of every three leaves being picked and one left behind. The origin of the name “Yashi Xiang” is quite interesting, but because the name was not conducive to promotion, after multiple tastings, experts believed that the Yashi Xiang fragrance was similar to Honeysuckle. In 2014, it was decided to officially change the name “Yashi Xiang” to “Silver Flower Fragrance.”

The Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees introduced above are just the tip of the iceberg. In reality, there are many varieties of Phoenix Dancong tea, named according to fragrance type, quality characteristics, historical context, and the shape of the tea tree, so the resources of Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees are also relatively abundant. If you are an experienced Phoenix Dancong tea drinker, you surely understand the value of mother tree Dancong. Now is the season for picking Phoenix Dancong tea. If you want to witness the majesty of the Phoenix Dancong tea mother trees firsthand, you might consider visiting the tea garden during your leisure time and even have the opportunity to see the spectacular scene of picking Phoenix Dancong tea.

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