A Popular Dan Cong with the Unusual Name “Duck Shit Fragrance”
If you are seeing the name Yashi Xiang (鴨屎香) for the first time, you may wonder, “Does it really smell like duck droppings?”
Although Yashi literally means “duck droppings” in Chinese, the tea certainly does not smell anything like it. Yashi Xiang is one of the most well-known fragrance types of Phoenix Dan Cong, famous for its rich, sweet tropical fruit aroma reminiscent of ripe mango. It is also one of the most popular Dan Cong varieties among tea lovers.
There is an interesting story behind its unusual name.
According to legend, the farmer who first discovered this particular fragrance was worried that other people might steal the tea trees because of their exceptional aroma. To discourage others from taking an interest in the trees, he gave the tea an unattractive name — “Duck Shit Fragrance.” The name was said to have helped keep the valuable tea trees a secret.
This tea is made from tea trees grown at an altitude of around 1,000 metres in Ping Keng Tou Village (坪坑头村) in the Phoenix Mountain area.
For its price range, this tea offers remarkably intense fragrance, a soft and smooth mouthfeel, and a long-lasting finish. It also holds up very well over multiple infusions. The quality was so impressive for the price that we decided to purchase it immediately after tasting it.
The tea has a powerful and highly aromatic character, yet the liquor remains remarkably smooth and clean, with very little astringency or unwanted aftertaste.
After we purchased this tea in 2022, it was stored in an oxygen-free environment. With several years of ageing, the aroma has become even deeper, richer and more concentrated, giving the tea greater depth and a more satisfying finish.