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Ancient Grove

Tasting notes: Floral and Dark honey

Known in Chinese as 宋种, this distinctive Phoenix Dancong oolong is treasured for its deep, elegant character and complex mountain aroma. Its rich golden infusion opens with graceful floral notes, subtle mineral depth, and a gentle woody warmth. Sophisticated yet inviting, it leaves a long, lingering finish that slowly unfolds with each infusion, revealing layer after layer of its character.

A Story from the Song Dynasty

Its Chinese name is said to have originated from a local legend dating back more than 700 years, during the final years of the Southern Song dynasty. The young Emperor Zhao Bing fled south as the Song court retreated before the advancing Mongol forces. When he reached the Phoenix Mountains in Chaozhou, he was very thirsty and was offered tea made from the leaves of a local tea tree. Impressed by its distinctive flavour, the emperor is said to have praised the tea, and the tree became known as “Song Tea”. Its descendants were later known locally as Song Zhong, meaning “Song variety”.

Today, Song Zhong is regarded as one of the oldest and most storied varieties associated with Phoenix Dancong, carrying a legend that connects the tea gardens of Phoenix Mountain with the final chapter of the Song dynasty.

🌿 Origin & Terroir

Origin: Phoenix Mountains, Chaozhou, China
Grown in high mountain gardens under misty conditions, where mineral-rich soils and dramatic temperature shifts enhance the tea’s naturally expressive floral and honeyed aroma structure.

☕ Brewing Guide

Gaiwan / Traditional Method

Parameter	Details
Water temperature	100°C
Amount	2–3g per 100ml
Steep time	First infusion: 3 sec · Add 5 sec per subsequent infusion
Vessel	Gaiwan
Infusions	12+ infusions

Mug (Simple Preparation)

Parameter	Details
Amount	2g per 200ml boiling water
Steep time	3–5 minutes per infusion
Re-steeping	Can be infused multiple times (2–4 steeps recommended)

🌱Harvest:

Net weight:

50g

€35,00

Quantity: (In cart: 0)

Increments of 1 Minimum of 1 Maximum of

Ancient Grove

€35,00

Phoenix mountains, Chaozhou, China

Learn more about the origin

Phoenix Mountain, Chaozhou – Unlike typical tea gardens, where low-growing bushes are planted in large batches for uniform leaves, Phoenix Mountain tea comes from ancient tea trees, each nurtured individually. Growing at around 1,000 meters, each tree reflects a unique mix of elevation, microclimate, soil, and centuries of natural essence. The careful hand-cultivation produces tea with layered complexity, rich fragrance, and deep character. After 36 hours of slow roasting, the tea develops a soft, warm mouthfeel with a subtle roasted aroma, creating the distinctive flavor of Phoenix Mountain oolong.

FAQ: Curious About Tea?

Yes, all our teas naturally contain caffeine. If you're sensitive to caffeine, we highly recommend trying our Phoenix Oolong or Phoenix Black Tea. Our founder personally enjoys these as she is also caffeine-sensitive. Thanks to a unique 36-hour slow-roasting process, the tea becomes remarkably mild and gentler on the stomach, making it a much more comfortable choice.

No, we never use artificial flavors. It's a core promise we make at R'Folia. We believe in pure, naturally made tea. While most mass-produced teas use flavorings to mask a lack of character, we created R'Folia for the opposite reason: to highlight the true and complex flavor profile that high-quality tea leaves offer on their own.

Good question! Yes, absolutely. We directly partner with small-scale, independent tea farmers in China who cultivate their gardens using traditional, natural methods.

At our production sites in China, our teas have already received preliminary recognition under EU organic standards. We are currently completing the remaining formalities for EU certification. Soon, we aim to have our products officially EU organic certified. We carefully visit the gardens, know the cultivation methods, and trust the integrity of our teas, so the proof is always in your cup.

While personal preference is key, here's a great starting point:

Standard Method: Use 1-2g of tea with 200-250ml of freshly boiled water (100°C). Steep for 2-3 minutes in a mug or teapot.

Find Your Perfect Cup:

For a stronger taste: Use more leaves or extend the steep time.
For lighter taste: Use fewer leaves or shorten the time.

To avoid bitterness, we recommend limiting the first infusion to 3 minutes.

A quick rinse is suggested to unlock the best flavor. Here's how:

Place leaves in your mug.
Pour hot water (100°C) over the tea.
Immediately pour the water out (within 5-10 seconds).
Now brew your first cup as usual.

Why? It awakens the leaves and ensures a clean, pure taste from the very first sip.

Tea can be a great addition to a balanced lifestyle. Tea naturally contains antioxidants and plant compounds and has been enjoyed around the world for centuries as part of daily life. This description reflects general experience and should not be interpreted as a medical or therapeutic claim.

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