Duck Shit Tea (Ya Shi Xiang): How a Phoenix Dancong Got Its Name

ByDerry Liu

Duck Shit tea, or Ya Shi Xiang (鸭屎香, yā shǐ xiāng, “duck shit aroma”), is a type of Phoenix Dancong oolong from Guangdong with a famously vulgar name and a beautiful aroma. The name comes from the soil where the tea trees grew, and legend says farmers kept the ugly name so nobody would steal their tea. In the cup, it is rich and fresh, with notes of orchid and almond.

Phoenix Dancong oolong leaves, the family of Duck Shit tea
Long, twisted Phoenix Dancong leaves.

Why is it called Duck Shit tea?

Duck Shit is one of the almond-scented types of Phoenix Dancong (凤凰单丛, fènghuáng dāncóng). People are always curious about the name. The story goes that the tea trees grew on a patch of land known locally as “duck shit soil.” Long ago, the farmers worried that other people would steal their prized tea, so they gave it the least appealing name they could think of.

It’s a bit like an old Chinese custom: some families gave their children a humble or even vulgar nickname, believing it would help them grow up safe and sound.

What does Duck Shit tea taste like?

Its name couldn’t be further from its flavor. The aroma is rich, fresh and very attractive, with layers of orchid and almond. The tea feels like it melts in your mouth, and the fragrance lingers long after you swallow. Today, many milk tea shops in China use it for lemon tea and milk tea because of that strong, lasting aroma.

Dry Phoenix Dancong oolong tea leaves on a white plate
Dancong means “single bush,” a nod to the tradition of picking and processing each tree separately.

How do you brew Phoenix Dancong?

First, warm your cups and gaiwan with boiling water; this helps release the tea’s fragrance. Keep the first infusions short and lengthen them later. For our Phoenix Dancong, brew with water at 100°C (212°F). For the Chinese gongfu method, use 5 g of leaf per 100 ml of water: the first infusion is 5 seconds, add 5 seconds for each infusion after that, and enjoy up to 8 infusions. For the western cup method, use 0.8 g per 100 ml: the first infusion is 120 seconds, each infusion after that is 30 seconds longer, for 3 infusions in total. These are the same steps as the Brewing Method tab on the Phoenix Dancong product page.

New to gongfu brewing? Read five tips for brewing gongfu tea and how to smell the aroma of tea.

FAQ

Does Duck Shit tea taste like duck?

Not at all. It is floral and nutty, with orchid and almond notes; the name comes from the soil, not the flavor.

Where is Phoenix Dancong from?

Phoenix Mountain in Chao’an, Guangdong, in southern China.

Is Duck Shit tea an oolong?

Yes. It is one of the many aroma types of Phoenix Dancong oolong.

Try oolong tea from Teawish