Ya Shi Xiang 鸭屎香 (2026)
Tea Profile
Type: Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong (单丛乌龙)
Location: Dongjiao Village 东郊, Fenghuang Mountain, Chaozhou, Guangdong
Altitude: Around 800m
Harvest Date: April 18th, 2026
Cultivar: Ya Shi Xiang 鸭屎香
Age of Tea Bushes: Around 40 years
Roasting Level: Lower-medium roast, two roasting
The Story of This Tea
Ya Shi Xiang is one of the most distinctive and representative cultivars of Phoenix Dan Cong. It is renowned for its unique and intense floral-fruity aroma, while its playful name adds a touch of legend and charm. The mother tree of Ya Shi Xiang was planted over seventy years ago by tea farmer Wei Chunshi. It grows on the yellow loam slopes of Xiaping Kengtou Village in Fengxi District, Chaozhou. This soil, rich in chalky minerals and locally nicknamed “duck sh*t soil,” is loose and well-aerated, ideal for tea cultivation, and contributes a distinctive mineral note to the tea.
The name “Ya Shi Xiang” comes from an interesting story: when villagers first tasted the tea, they were amazed by its exceptional fragrance and asked for its name. To protect this rare tea tree from being stolen, Wei Chunshi jokingly called it “Duck Sh*t Fragrance,” intending to discourage outsiders. Unexpectedly, the name stuck, becoming one of the most recognizable and memorable names in tea history.
Ya Shi Xiang tea trees are upright with thick leaves and tightly knotted buds. When brewed, the tea liquor is golden and clear, with a high, lasting fragrance that features prominent floral, fruity, and honey notes, complemented by a unique mineral character. The tea has a gentle nature, a mellow and rich taste, complex layers of flavor, and a lasting sweet aftertaste.
This 2026 harvest from Dongjiao Village was roasted twice at a light-medium level, enhancing its natural sweetness while preserving the layered floral aroma. The finished tea is balanced and elegant, fully showcasing the distinctive character of the Ya Shi Xiang cultivar and the terroir of Phoenix Mountain.