I finally got round to drinking this alongside Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) tea from Jefferson Tea in Hobart. They are both dark earthy oolongs so I wanted to compare them next to each other. I brewed them both for 4 minutes at 90 degrees (warming the cup first). My cup infusers were full, which weighed 2g on my kitchen scales, if you trust that…
Dan Cong looks darker and smells stronger of those smoky and earthy smells.
There isn’t actually too much in it, although they definitely aren’t the same. Dan Cong immediately tastes stronger and has a lot of earthy flavours. I think Da Hong Pao has a more interesting aftertaste though, a little sweeter, even though both are very savoury teas.
The box of the Dan Cong claims it has whispers of vanilla and honey. I don’t really taste that when it’s hot and on the first brew, but they come through a bit more on the 2nd and 3rd brews.
Both teas will cope with at least 3 brews comfortably. Which is my favourite? I think I’d go for Da Hong Pao if I had to choose, but I’d be happy with either.
