An Accident In Space And Time

“First, let’s get the name out of the way! The story is that farmers discovered a tea cultivar in Ping Keng Tou village producing a unique and delicious taste and did not want this cultivar to be exploited by other farmers. So they made up stories that the earth in this area (which is a light, yellow brown colour) was covered in a lot of duck poo in order to keep other producers away from their precious plants. As with most stories in China, it is impossible to know if this is true or not but clearly the villagers failed because now everyone in this area holds Duck Sh*t oolong in very high esteem and for good reason – it is a gorgeous tea.” ~ Don Mei, Chinalife Tea Master

In Chinese, this tea is called Ya Shi Dan Cong – which pretty much translates to “Dan Cong oolong from the Duck Sh*t region”. The name doesn’t sound particularly appetising, perhaps, but it appealed to my sense of humour and I love oolong tea, so I decided to give it a try.

Like any good oolong, it has a scent reminscent of freshly baked butter biscuits. I always like to spend the time while my first cup is cooling down just taking time to inhale and enjoy the aroma. Oolong teas are generally flavourful on the palate and light on the stomach; also you can get completely toasted on them (see my recent post concerning a different chinalife oolong: Alishan Cream). “Tea tipsy” is actually a real thing, and is probably the reason that the majority of Chinese culture don’t really have much to do with alcohol. Chinese monks and Bhuddists have been using strong gongfu tea in their meditations for centuries, and I honestly don’t blame them. If tea can heighten the senses (and Chinese tea really does) and doesn’t hurt your internal organs, then I’m all for it.

Anyway, on to the flavour. It’s a very full flavour that packs a lot of impact on the taste buds: dark (not black) cherries, but without the overbearing sweetness. Just delightful, really, and something so good that it’s probably best kept as a treat – because you will be sad when you run out and can’t buy it any more. It’s a limited edition, you see – or it is until it (hopefully) proves so popular that chinalife have to order more and keep it coming!

I have to give this tea a hearty 10/10, because it would be an insult not to. One of the best teas I’ve tasted for a long time.

Want some? You can buy it here.