Duck Shit Oolong
TASTING NOTES: warm shortbread, hot cherry compote
Once upon a time, there was a tea that tasted so good, the person who discovered it wanted to just keep it for himself. So he called it: 'Duck Shit Tea'. Obviously, this didn't work out, as Ya Shi Xiang is one of the most popular Dan Cong teas today.
Our Ya Shi Xiang is a lightly fermented dan cong oolong with lots of complexity. It brews a smooth yellow-orange tea soup with complex mineral notes and a scent of honey, apricot, and honeysuckle flowers.
Tea Region
Tea tree
Cultivar
Harvest
Picking & processing
Peng Keng Tou Village, Guangdong, China
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Ya Shi
Spring, 2023
Up to the third leaf
In the world of Dan Cong oolongs, each cultivar tells its own unique story through flavor, but few have captured attention quite like the Ya Shi, or "Duck Shit," cultivar. Despite its unconventional name, this tea is a hidden gem, cherished for its extraordinary taste and the intriguing legend that surrounds it.
According to local lore, the farmers of Ping Keng Tou village stumbled upon a cultivar that produced an exceptional brew, unlike anything they had tasted before. Fearing that other tea producers would catch on to their discovery and covet their precious plants, they spread a rumor that the soil in the area was tainted with duck droppings, hoping to deter any curious competition. Whether the tale holds truth or not is lost to time, but what remains is a tea that stands as one of the finest oolongs in the region, celebrated far and wide.
Tasting YaShi is an indulgent experience, offering a complex tapestry of flavors and aromas that linger long after the last sip. The dry leaves exude warm notes of baked almonds, butter, and custard, underscored by a delicate sweetness reminiscent of blooming flowers. As you steep the tea, it unfolds further, revealing a surprising hint of sour cherry that dances through the nose, perfectly complementing the buttery, almond-like richness that dominates the palate. The texture is velvety and lush, yet there's a refreshing quality that makes each sip as satisfying as the last.
Almond Biscotti
The baked almond notes in the tea will harmonize beautifully with the crunch and subtle sweetness of almond biscotti.
Cherry Clafoutis
A classic French dessert that mirrors the tea's sour cherry hints, creating a delightful synergy of flavors.
Butter Shortbread Cookies
These rich, buttery cookies will amplify the tea's buttery and custard-like flavors, making for a luxurious treat.
Mild Brie or Camembert
The creamy texture and mild flavor of these cheeses provide a savory contrast to the tea’s sweet and nutty profile, enhancing the overall tasting experience.
Tea character
Leaf
baked cherry, sweet marzipan
Cup
shortbread, honeysuckle flowers, baked almonds
Flavor
warm shortbread, hot cherry compote
How to brew
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
95 °C
5 gram
100ml
25 sec (add 5 sec per steep, up to 10 steeps)
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
95 °C
4 gram
500ml
2 min (you can brew 2-3 times)