Tea: Apricot Kernel Fragrance (Xingrenxiang)
Type: Charcoal Roasted Dancong Oolong
Harvest: Spring 2022
Roast Dates: 1st Roast June 2022, Second Roast July 2022, 3rd Roast August 2022
Region: Zhuliu Village, Phoenix Village, Guangdong, China
Producer: Master Wei
Tasting Notes: Toasted Nuts, Dried Apricot, Stewed Nettle, Caramelized Toast
Xingrenxiang, or apricot kernel fragrance, is a classically charcoal roasted dancong that belongs to the almond fragrance family. The dry leaves are mildly oxidized and all have a sender thin twist to them. When first brewed, the wet leaves are incredibly rich vegetal umami fragrance while still being backed by toasted nut aromas. This tea is incredibly balanced between its sweet herbaceous body and the toasty roast more common in many traditionally processed Dancong oolongs.
As the brews continue, the light amber liquor sweetens even further with a hidden characteristic of dried apricots and stewed nettle. There is a thick mineral note to this tea that coats the tongue and delivers a pleasant huigan. The empty cup aroma is one of caramelized toast.
This has been one of our favorite teas from the past few years, and we are excited to offer it again in the Dancong roasted sample box.
A note on names:
In the big book of Dancong tea varietals, written by a long-time Phoenix Village tea producer, there are over 200 dancong varietals listed, among them are several in a family dubbed 'almond fragrance'. Among these dancong varietals are found the 'peach kernel fragrance' and the 'apricot kernel fragrance'. As both these fruit kernels yield a type of almond, these dancong varietals are often mistranslated as simply 'almond fragrance' which in truth can refer to half a dozen different varietals.
Thus, as we offer both the Peach Kernel Fragrance and the Apricot Kernel Fragrance which are in the Almond Fragrance family, we have elected to follow a very literal translation of their names.
Check out the other offerings from Master Wei's tea garden here.
Interested in flight of all our 2022 Charcoal Roasted Dancong Oolongs? Check out the Dancong Fire Collection
