Phoenix Bird Oolong (Zhong Shan Baiye)

Zhong Shan Baiye means "Mid-mountain White Leaf." From out of Fenghuangshan (Phoenix Mountain) in Guangdong province comes this exquisite single trunk oolong that brews to a dark leaf. Believed to have been a Song Dynasty tribute tea, the unusually long leaves yield a clear orange-brown liquor with a strong peachy aroma and a mellow, satisfying flavor. Water temperature is best around 180° to 190°; try it using lots of leaf in a small pot or gaiwan with short multiple infusions.