What's the difference between Tieguanyin and Dancong oolongs?
Both are famous oolongs, but they seem to taste totally different — what's going on?
Tieguanyin (鐵觀音, 'Iron Goddess') is from Anxi, Fujian — lightly to moderately oxidized, rolled into tight balls, with a creamy floral character (lilac, magnolia, milk). Dancong (单丛, 'single bush') is from Phoenix Mountain in Guangdong — open twisted leaves, more oxidized, famous for mimicking the aromas of named flowers and fruits (honey orchid, almond, gardenia, peach). Tieguanyin is approachable and buttery; Dancong is intense, aromatic, and can be brewed dozens of times.