Phoenix Dan Kou

Author: Huang Ruiguang, Huang Baizi, Gui Pufang, Wu Weixin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
(II) Phoenix Phoenix Narcissus, an ancient variety known as "Bird's Beak Tea" (still referred to as such by some people today). It was bred from the Hongyin variety. The origin of the name "Bird's Beak Tea" is subject to various interpretations, but generally, there are two theories: one is that the shape of the fresh leaves resembles a bird's beak when viewed from the side, hence the name; another legend tells of the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Jue, being chased by Yuan troops and fleeing to Phoenix Mountain. Thirsty and crying, he was saved by a phoenix bird riding on a rainbow, carrying a branch with tea in its beak. After quenching his thirst, Zhao Jue propagated the tea, which was named "Bird's Beak Tea" because it was said to have been carried by the phoenix's beak. However, legends aside, we believe the name is more appropriately derived from the leaf shape. Regarding the origin of the name "Phoenix Narcissus Tea," the Chaozhou Tea states: "In the past, the people called it 'Bird's Beak Tea.' After the liberation, in 1956, tea experts across the country named it 'Phoenix Narcissus Tea.' This is because the phoenix is considered a auspicious bird, the king of birds, and was anciently referred to as the '' (auspicious bird). The narcissus is a famous flower in China, blooming in spring despite the cold, emitting a fragrant scent, and being as noble as a celestial being, earning the title 'Lotus Fairy.' Combining the names 'Phoenix' and 'Narcissus' for this tea variety not only highlights its prestige but also carries a profound and meaningful implication." In fact, the name "Phoenix Narcissus" had already emerged and been used before 1956. Investigations reveal that the name existed as early as 1915 (the fourth year of the Republic of China). The Fengshun County (published by Liu Yuren and Li Tang in 1943) records: "Phoenix tea is also known as water narcissus, or 'Bird's Beak Tea.'" The Tea Production Technology Manual published by the Raoping County Agricultural Technology Station in 1954 mentions "Phoenix Narcissus tea" multiple times, such as in Section 3 ("If the tea seedlings are water narcissus (i.e., Bird's Beak Tea), trim a small part of the main root and top branches according to their length") and Section 6 ("(III) Eliminate pests: Severe tea borer (Camptocercus chinensis) was found in Phoenix Narcissus tea"). Additionally, in 1955, the price list of the Phoenix Tea Collection Station included categories such as single shoot,, and water narcissus. These facts fully demonstrate that the name "Phoenix Narcissus" existed before the national experts officially named it in 1956.
In November 1984, at the national tea conference held in Xiamen, the National Crop Variety recognized the traditional superior variety "Phoenix Narcissus" as a national-level excellent tea tree variety and included it in the China Tea Tree Variety. On March 25, 1985, the National Crop Variety (established in 1981) issued the "Certification GS13017" (Figure 4). The China Famous Tea states: "Phoenix Narcissus is a locally grown tea variety with complex genetic resources, varying ripening periods, and diverse leaf morphologies. Originally known as 'Bird's Beak Tea,' it was officially named 'Phoenix Narcissus' in 1965. In 1984, it was listed as a national-level tea tree variety, designated as 'Huacha 17.' In 1964, the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences conducted a classification survey on Phoenix Narcissus, dividing it into 13 types, with Wuye (dark green leaf) and Baiye (white leaf) being the dominant types. Later, the Tea Research Institute of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences selected and bred two provincial-level superior varieties: Huangye Water Narcissus and Heye Water Narcissus."
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