Tea called Da hong pao has an amazing relaxing effect that calms both the body and the mind. In China, it is very popular, as it is characterized by a bright aftertaste and amazing aroma. Fujian is the birthplace of this oolong tea. In Chinese, its name means "big red robe".

According to legend, in the fourteenth century, student Ding Xian went to Emperor Guat Yin to take an exam, but suddenly felt very ill. On the way, he met the monk Tiguanyin and treated the young man to a special tea, which improved Ding Xian's well-being. After he successfully passed the exams and took the desired position, the young official presented a red robe to the savior monk. However, he did not accept the present. In response, the young official ordered that all the bushes of the medicinal plant be covered with red robes.

Growth area and harvesting

The tea leaves are harvested in early May each year. They are dried, then kneaded and fermented. After that, they undergo a thorough roasting and twisting procedure. To remove residual moisture from the plant, it is dried. Tea harvesting continues throughout the summer. The final stage - Da hong pao warms up with the help of coals.

The plant grows at a height of 600 meters. It is more often found between cliffs, which provide it with reliable protection. Clay and acidic soils, high moisture levels have a beneficial effect on the quality level of oolong tea. Thanks to this, the Chinese have learned to grow first-class varieties of cliff and valley teas.

These varieties are considered the most valuable among admirers of good teas, including Da hong pao.

Properties and effect

It is immediately rich and soft, gives a honey and fruity aftertaste. The aroma contains many flavors: chocolate, caramel, nuts, vanilla, etc.

Tea improves digestive function, increases the efficiency of the immune system and cleanses the internal organs. This variety of oolong also has a beneficial effect on the teeth and promotes the breakdown of fatty deposits. Chinese drink normalizes blood pressure and has a calming effect. Some say that this variety has an intoxicating effect, putting a person in a state of intoxication and euphoria, like pu-erh.

This tea is often called magic nectar. This is due to its medicinal properties:

1. Normalizes cholesterol and allows you to get rid of excess fat;
2. Stabilizes metabolism;
3. Reduces the feeling of appetite;
4. Has a diuretic effect;
5. Prevents the appearance of edema;
6. Great for starting the day, because it makes thinking clearer and prepares the body for vigorous activity;
7. In the daytime, it helps to get rid of fatigue and soothes;
8. The presence of fluoride improves the condition of the gums and teeth;
9. In the presence of colds, tea helps to remove phlegm and toxic substances;
10. Strengthens the heart and blood vessels;
11. Increases the body's resistance to infections and stress;
12. Helps relax.

The positive effect of "red robe" tea is noticeable in the mail immediately after drinking the tea drink.

Rules of use

When brewing, you should pay attention to the fact that it contains a lot of caffeine. Large doses of this stimulant often cause high blood pressure and insomnia.

In this regard, the ancient monks developed a number of rules:

Cosmetic procedures

Tea that has been infused for a day is already considered unhealthy and even poisonous. so it can be harmful. However, the drink can be used for cosmetic procedures. For example, compresses from it will get rid of eye strain, bags and dark circles. By treating the skin of the face with cotton wool soaked in tea, it can be refreshed and minor pimples removed.

High quality products, as you know, are always expensive. So, a 350-gram tile of a pressed plant will cost one and a half to two thousand rubles. One hundred grams of tea in compact bags or tablets costs about 600-800 rubles.

At the same time, there is no difference in taste between packaged and pressed products. However, you may encounter a low-quality fake if you purchase tea from an unverified supplier. Therefore, maximum care must be taken here.

Brewing and storage

1. The kettle must first be rinsed with boiling water. Then you need to pour water into it and lower the tea leaves into it, bring it to a temperature of 80-90 degrees, and then drain it. This is how dust is removed from the sheets.
2. The kettle is then refilled with clean water to brew tea. If you're more into a strong drink, age the leaves for one to two minutes. Thirty seconds is enough to brew weak tea.
3. Da hong pao can be brewed up to 6 times. During this time, all its aromatic and taste qualities are preserved. In addition, each individual brew reveals new flavor notes of the drink.

Increased air humidity and foreign odors can cause adverse effect on the taste of tea. Therefore, it must be stored in a completely sealed vessel in some dark place. Long-term storage, by the way, improves its aroma, taste and beneficial properties.

Enjoy and benefit from every drop and every moment of life!

Da Hong Pao tea is one of the most famous Chinese teas. A huge number of articles, books have been written about him, a lot of films and video reports have been shot. We have collected the most important things about DCP here:

1. Not enough original Da Hong Pao tea. Very little. So small that you will never be able to try it, unless, of course, you are on the Forbes list of the richest people in the world. The original Da Hong Pao is grown on only 4 bushes, in the northwest of Fujian, in the Wuyi mountains. In 1972, US President Richard Nixon received 50 grams of real Da Hong Pao as a gift, which would cost $250,000 at the current exchange rate.

2. What is sold in China under the name Da Hong Pao are “descendants” who trace their pedigree from mother bushes and are grown in the same climatic zone. Do not be discouraged, even if the Da Hong Pao you bought is not of purebred blood, it is still a wonderful, tasty, healthy and inspiring tea.

3. Da Hong Pao means Big Red Robe in Chinese. There are many variations of the legend about the origin of this name. Here is one of them:
On one memorable day in 1385, Din Xian went to take the imperial exams. The day was incredibly hot, and as he passed the monastery, he suddenly felt unwell and lost consciousness. Fortunately, a monk from Tien Xing Si was nearby, who gave the traveler Da Hong Pao a drink. The tea is medicinal. The young man quickly recovered from the blow, successfully passed the exams for a high position and received a red robe with the image of a dragon for this. Ding Xian was a grateful person, so he first of all decided to give a robe to the monk who saved him. But he refused the gift, because. was a Buddhist. Then Ding Xian gave his Red Robe to the Da Hong Pao bushes.

4. Da Hong Pao is a Chinese cliff tea, which is produced in the northwest of Fujian province, in the Wuyi mountains. Belongs to the class of oolongs of strong fermentation. To prepare Da Hong Pao, the tea leaves are rolled by hand or by machine, so that the tea leaf remains long, slightly curled in length. The tea is then roasted in mesh baskets over the hearth (or in a special oven). In such tea, the leaf darkens, its color varies from dark green to brown and reddish brown.

5. One of the most controversial teas. It is impossible to say for sure about the taste of Da Hong Pao. Someone feels caramel notes in it, someone says that the taste of Da Hong Pao has fruity tones. You can find the taste of toffee and vanilla in it. And this is also true. Da Hong Pao is an amazing combination of flavor hints. And everyone will surely find something for themselves there.

6. Da hong pao effect. Da Hong Pao gained the greatest popularity due to his ability to influence the psycho-emotional state. Known so-called dahongpao effect, contributing to the removal of nervous tension, combining this with a mild tonic effect. And to put it quite simply, Dahongpao tea is stronger than other Chinese teas, causing tea intoxication.

7. Famous rappers contributed to the popularity of Da Hong Pao in Russia, especially among young people. Basta and Guf. Here is an excerpt from their sensational song PE:

“So, the first line of my hit parade
I boldly give a big red robe.
That's what I like, it's Da Hong Pao"

8. How to brew Da Hong Pao? Exist many options for brewing Da Hong Pao, here is one of them:
For 150 ml of water, take a small pinch of tea. Boil the water, but don't let it boil. As soon as large bubbles appear at the top, turn off or remove from heat. The brewing temperature is about 95 degrees, so after boiling, wait about a minute. Pour water into the vessel where the tea is already. Close the lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the infusion into another cup, for this it is better to use a strainer. The tea is ready, enjoy the taste and aroma of freshly brewed tea.

9. Da Hong Pao tea is harvested four times a year, but autumn varieties are considered the most fragrant and rich in taste.

10. The demand for Da Hong Pao tea is always higher than the supply. Don't bother looking for him. He has many relatives who are close in taste, and in their usefulness and strength of psycho-emotional impact are not inferior, and in some ways even superior to Da Hong Pao. Here are some related varieties: Wuyi Shui Xian (Daffodil from Wuyi Mountains, aka Water Spirit from Wuyi Mountains), Wuyi Ba Xian (Eight Immortals from Wuyi Mountains), Wuyi Qi Lan (Wonderful Orchid from Wuyi Mountains), Xiao Hong Pao ( Small red robe).

Da Hong Pao is the king of the famous five teas from the Wuyi Mountains of China. This tea is shrouded in legends and is considered the most expensive tea in the world. Records of its existence date back to the beginning of the 18th century (the era of Dao Guang). During the Qing Dynasty, Da Hong Pao was called the "King of Tea". In 1998, the Chinese government put it up for sale for the first time, where it was sold to a group of auctioneers for almost $900,000 (from real bushes).

Da Hong Pao literally means "Big Red Robe". It is also called "Big Red Robe", "Scarlet Clothes". What kind of tea with imperial roots, what is it useful for, what properties does it have and where did it get its name from, even tea fans sometimes cannot give an answer. Read about the legend of Dahongpao tea, its benefits, how to brew it properly and how it differs from other tea varieties.

Legend about the history of the name Da Hong Pao

There are several versions of the appearance of the name of this tea. The first has to do with a scientist named Yu Ji Ding. This story dates back to 1385. The young scholar went to the imperial palace to take the exam. This exam was at that time the main path to career growth. Unfortunately, he fell ill on the way. At this time, he arrived in the town of Wuyishan, where he stopped, unable to continue his journey further to the capital.

Luckily, a monk from Tian Xin Yong Le Temple passed by and gave him a special tea with healing effects, which helped the young scholar to continue on his way and get to the exam on time. In the end, he passed it with the best results and was awarded the imperial red robe, which meant high growth in the career ladder, the opportunity to occupy the highest positions and approaching the emperor.

The scientist was so grateful that he went back to the monk to thank him and ask where he got this tea that cured him from and thank him. But the monk did not accept the red robe as a gift, and then the scientist wrapped the tea bushes in a robe as a token of gratitude. This is how this tea got its name.

But there is another version of the name of this tea. One of the emperor's associates saw that his mother was in poor condition and gave the emperor his can of tea.

After the emperor's mother drank it, she felt better and her health gradually improved. The emperor ordered the servants to visit the tea bushes from which this healing tea was harvested and made them exclusive to collect tea only for the imperial palace. He ordered his courtiers to go for tea only in red robes. In order not to take them with them every time, the courtiers hung their robes on the tea bushes.

There is another legend not related to the first two. The tea bushes from which this tea is harvested grow in hard-to-reach places on the slopes of the mountains where it is difficult for people to reach. The locals are trained to collect the monkeys. And to see them, they put on red clothes. Hence the name dahongpao, which means red robe.

Benefits of Da Hong Pao tea

Produced in Fujian province. Da Hong Pao has a characteristic taste and aroma. The amber liquid of the brewed tea releases sweet aromas with fruity-woody notes. The taste is smoky, but not strong. There are also hints of honey aroma.

Tea with a sweet aftertaste. After a few small cups, a pleasant floral aroma is felt in the mouth for several minutes. Not many types of tea have this ability.

Da Hong Pao is one of the traditional oolong teas. Dark, slightly curled leaves, larger than those of Japanese tea.

About 400 bioactive compounds were found in the chemical composition of this tea variety, among which it is necessary to highlight:

Vitamins, including vitamin C, K, A and others;

Minerals: magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, manganese, phosphorus and others;

Flavonoids;

Polyphenols;

Antioxidants;

This is a small part of the useful components of this wonderful drink.

Useful properties of Da Hong Pao

Da Hong Pao is the most expensive tea in the world and the most prestigious in China. Polyphenols, antioxidant compounds, flavonoids give tea a number of useful properties. It contains many important macro and micronutrients. The benefits of oolong tea have been known for a long time. The most famous properties of this category of tea are its influence on the prevention of obesity and its active contribution to weight loss. Therefore, it is quite popular to use as a healthy diet drink that is suitable for every weight loss program.

Drinking a tea drink on a regular basis promotes the breakdown of fats, which means that it is not deposited at the waist and in other places.

Drinking tea can help:

Accelerate weight loss;

Reduce blood cholesterol levels;

Replenish the body with vitamin C;

Reduce the risk of developing diabetes;

Increase defenses;

Reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis;

Normalize blood circulation;

Reduce the risk of developing heart disease;

Slow down premature aging;

Reduce wrinkles and skin pigmentation;

Improve eyesight;

Normalize digestion;

Relieve stress and relieve depression;

Accelerate the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema and skin rashes.

There is some scientific evidence of its ability to influence the growth of cancer cells and the possibility of use as a preventive measure.

Like any tea, it contains caffeine. This substance allows you to quickly stimulate the central nervous system, which increases energy balance, gives strength, improves thinking and helps to focus. This tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which is released more slowly than the caffeine in coffee. In addition, tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has calming properties. Therefore, it can be considered both invigorating and calming.

The caffeine and other substances in tea can help rid the body of lactic acid, uric acid, and other harmful substances, as well as relieve swelling caused by heart disease or nephritis.

In addition, caffeine promotes smooth muscle relaxation, which can relieve bronchospasm and improve blood circulation. This is a good drink for bronchial asthma, cough with phlegm.

Polyphenols and tannins in tea inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, which can be useful in intestinal diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, enteritis, dysentery.

This property of tea can be used for ulcers, acne, skin rashes to reduce inflammation by washing them with strongly brewed tea.

Polyphenols and vitamin C play a very important role in blood circulation and prevent atherosclerosis. Therefore, people who drink tea often can reduce the incidence of hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Tea contains fluoride, which is of great importance for the preservation of tooth enamel, provides its protective coating, thereby serving as a good prevention of caries.

The tea is also good for the skin. The antioxidants present in this tea counteract the effects of premature aging. Drinking Da Hong Pao tea on a regular basis can help get rid of dark spots, skin roughness, even a few wrinkles.

Production of Da Hong Pao tea

This most expensive variety of tea is harvested from mother plants growing on the steep cliffs of the Wuyi (Wui) mountains. The most recent tea leaves from such bushes were collected in 2005. Since that time, the Chinese government has taken special protection of the last remaining bushes. Therefore, all tea, which is now sold under this name, is collected from plants obtained from cuttings taken from mother bushes.

Each batch of tea may differ in taste and other parameters, as it is very dependent on growing conditions and where it is grown. But it still meets all the standards of real Da Hong Pao tea, which are checked by tea collected from the original bushes.

The production technology of this tea, which has been worked out for many years, is also strictly observed.

Raw materials are collected strictly from 1 to 15 May. Tear off young tops of branches with two or four leaves.

The collected tea leaves are laid out in the sun or in a well-ventilated area. Within a few hours, the leaves slightly wither.

Then they are crushed by hand or placed in special drums. This process releases juice, which speeds up the fermentation process of the tea leaves.

This completes the fermentation process and the raw material goes to roasting.

At this stage, the destruction of enzymes occurs and the oxidation process stops. Fry the leaves in boilers for several minutes, stirring constantly.

Then the tea leaves are twisted along the axis. This also distinguishes it from all other teas.

After twisting, it goes to dry to remove any remaining moisture.

The penultimate stage of the production of this tea is heating over a fire with charcoal. Raw materials are placed in large wicker baskets and hung over the fire. That's where the smoky notes come from.

And the last stage is packaging and packing. After it, packages with elite tea are sent to the warehouse, from where they are sent to all corners of the world.

How to Brew Da Hong Pao Tea

To get a delicious fragrant drink, you need to know a few nuances of how to brew it correctly.

You need to brew tea in a small teapot so that you can drink it all at once.

For 125 ml of water take 6 grams of tea.

The temperature of the water for brewing is 90-95 degrees.

First, the tea leaves are slightly covered with boiling water for no more than 5-10 seconds, just to moisten them.

Then this water must be drained and tea is brewed.

The first brew can be drunk after 15 seconds. The uniqueness of this tea lies in the fact that it can be brewed up to 4-6 times and each time it will reveal its new bouquet of taste and aroma.

Subsequent brewing should be increased by 5 seconds each time.

Da Hong Pao tea is a wonderful drink that warms from the inside and makes you want to brew it again.

Around the mountains, many types of tea are produced. They act as a protective barrier against the influx of cold air from the sea. As a result, the area has a humid climate (80 to 85% humidity) with high rainfall (average annual 2200 mm in the southwest and 3200 mm in the north) and fog. At the lower elevations, average annual temperature fluctuations range from 12 to 18 °C.

This area is relatively free from pollution. The Chinese government set up its first air quality monitoring station in the area on January 31, 2005.

In 1999, Mount Hui was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, both a natural and cultural monument. It is the largest biodiversity protected area in Southeast China.

What is Da Hong Pao tea, where does it grow and how to brew it correctly

(medium fermentation). The name of the product is translated as "big red robe", which is associated with an ancient legend of the Celestial Empire.

In 1358, student Ding Xian felt weak on his way to the imperial examination. On the way, the exhausted student met a monk who brewed oolong tea for him and immediately put him on his feet. The healthy student successfully passed the exam and, as a sign of gratitude, presented the monk with a luxurious red robe. The monk refused an expensive gift, then the student ordered to cover all the tea bushes with the same red robes, which returned him to health.

What you need to know about a medicinal drink, how to choose, brew and drink Da Hong Pao?

general characteristics

Da Hong Pao refers to oolongs. Oolong, also known as “turquoise tea” and “black dragon”, is a semi-fermented drink that occupies an intermediate position between black tea. The degree of fermentation of an ideal oolong tea is 50%. Not the entire leaf is oxidized, but only its edges and the minimum part of the surface - this is precisely the peculiarity of the drink. The inner layer of the oolong leaf retains the natural structure, aroma and taste, which makes the tea unique.

The product combines the properties of green tea - aroma, and black tea - intense taste. There are several subspecies of oolongs, which depend on the degree of fermentation, but they are not as valuable. Real oolong is divided into only two varieties: mainland (Chinese) and insular (Taiwanese). Tea leaves are grown on mainland plantations. In this area, the composition and taste of tea depends on the weather, ultraviolet radiation and thick fog that envelops the fields. The most famous varieties of oolong include Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao.

Interesting: the traditional tea ceremony "guan fua" recognizes only oolong tea. The term translates as "the highest tea skill" and indicates the advantage of semi-fermented tea over other drinks.

What you need to know about Da Hong Pao

This is a highly fermented aged tea, which is prepared using a special technology from a special variety of tea bush. There are only six mother bushes, from which the history of the drink began 4 centuries ago, in the world. Annually, 400 grams of tea leaves are harvested from them. The last crop from mother bushes was sold over 10 seasons ago, and their price exceeded half a million dollars. Now the legendary bushes are on a special account, and the harvest that is harvested from them is transported to the state storage.

Important: the real Da Hong Pao is now impossible to find not only in expensive authentic tea shops, but also in China itself. If you are offered an inexpensive Chinese Oolong, then this is nothing more than a fake.

A few years ago, in Wuyishan (Chinese mountain range between Fujian and Jiangxi), they created an advertising campaign to attract tourists and develop the tourism industry. Da Hong Pao was chosen as a kind of symbol of the area. The famous tea attracted crowds of tourists who wanted to touch the authentic tea ceremonies and get to know the real taste of the drink. The local authorities understood that an endless stream of buyers could seriously affect the market. To avoid trouble, a decree was issued according to which every rocky oolong on the mountain range was considered Da Hong Pao. Tourists did not notice the change. Even Chinese tea masters sometimes find it difficult to distinguish Da Hong Pao from Shuxian or, for example, Zhougui. The preparation technology, taste and aroma palette of all three varieties are identical, the main difference lies in the tea leaf.

Real semi-fermented oolong is colored in several shades at once: brown, green and burgundy. The tea has a rich, deep taste with subtle sweetish notes. Each subsequent brewing changes not only the taste / aroma, but also the structure of the drink. Intense astringency (but not bitterness) gives way to a light trail of fruits and floral sweetness. The color of the drink can vary from dark gold to rich amber.

Production specifics

Production is divided into several stages. The first one is the collection of raw materials. Tea leaves are harvested only once a year from May 1 to May 15. Each leaf must meet the established requirements and is carefully selected by plantation workers. The most valuable are the first branches with 4 leaves that grow on the mother bushes. Such a product enjoys a special status, and its price is the highest in the tea market. The younger the tea bush and the lower the leaf was located, the lower the cost of the finished product. Particular preference is given to sheets grown on the slopes of Wuyishan - raw materials from there are much more expensive than from other provinces.

Interesting: Oolong production does not have a well-established procedure. The employee must independently assess the situation and only after the sheet is completely ready, proceed to the next stage. Working on a plantation is always stressful, complex and requires tremendous concentration. A small mistake by one employee can lead to spoilage of the whole tea party and bring significant losses to the manufacturer.

After collection, the raw materials are laid out in thin layers in the open air. As a last resort, use a well-ventilated area. The leaves are left to dry for several hours to get rid of excess moisture and soften the structure. Once the sheets have become soft, you can proceed to the next stage of production.

Fermentation

The first stage of fermentation occurs at the beginning of May. The raw materials are loaded into massive rotating drums so that the leaves quickly release the juice and fill with oxygen - this will accelerate the natural oxidation. Small enterprises do not use drums, but manual labor. Workers manually knead oolong continuously for several days.

Drying

The tea master determines the degree of fermentation of the leaf and the need for its completion. To stop oxidation, the leaves are sent for roasting. They are placed in huge hot pots for several minutes. After roasting, fermentation stops, and the raw materials are rolled into miniature strips and finally dried.

Sorting

The third stage of production takes all summer. Workers sort raw materials - tea leaves are torn off the stems and blended.

Important. Blending or blending is the preparation of a tea mixture according to a special recipe. With the help of blending, unique mixtures are created with a single flavor / aroma palette. Some compositions may contain up to 20 types of tea.

The final stage of production is the heating of raw materials and packaging. Oolong is heated over coals to consolidate the result and finally stop the fermentation. After that, the tea is packaged in the required container and sent to the points of sale.

Useful properties of the drink

Acceleration of metabolism

The liquid contains polyphenols. They block, which are responsible for the formation of fat in the body. Each cup of oolong accelerates metabolic processes and helps to break down fat faster. The effect of drinking tea lasts for several hours, after which the metabolic rate returns to normal.

The Chinese medical journal Integrative Medicine has published the results of an experiment on the effects of tea on the human body. A group of subjects drank oolong daily for 6 weeks. During the experiment, each participant dropped a few extra pounds. It is important to note that oolong will not help you deal with serious body fat if you exceed your daily calorie intake and avoid physical activity. Drink is just an addition to training and a healthy lifestyle that increases performance and increases activity levels.

cosmetic effect

Traditional tea ceremonies recognize the benefits of only three varieties of tea: white, green, and oolong. Da Hong Pao is useful not only for an authentic Chinese evening, but also for cosmetic procedures. It is enough to apply a properly brewed liquid liberally on the face as a tonic or leave it for several hours in the form of a mask. The result - a Chinese drink minimizes the effects of free radicals, nourishes the skin with moisture and vitamins.

Important: drinking tea inside will also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. The drink harmonizes the internal microflora of the body, which affects the health of the epithelium.

Improve performance

Oolongs contain a minimal dose, but even it can have a beneficial effect on the human body. A cup of Da Hong Pao will help increase your performance by 7-10%, which is especially useful before a busy day or workout.

Inner harmony

Oolong launches a complex internal cleansing of the body. Tea promotes the elimination of toxins / toxins and protects us from the effects of free radicals. The product also regulates blood pressure and circulation rate. Regulation of blood flow reduces the risk of plaque development and acts as a kind of prevention of atherosclerosis.

How to choose the right Da Hong Pao

The first thing you need to pay attention to is the age of the oolong. Old tea leaves are instantly crushed and turned into powder. To avoid such a nuisance, choose bright leaves with a dense structure. They should not crumble after your touch. If, when trying to grind the sheet, balls and lumps form on the surface, it is underdone.

What else to look for when buying:

1. Smell. Da Hong Pao has a multifaceted sweet aroma. Notes are clearly perceptible. Aroma persistence is one of the most important characteristics of fresh tea collection. If after the second or third brewing the smell disappears, then the manufacturer spared money for high-quality tea and added a flavoring agent to the raw materials.
2. Hue. The color of the oolong is predominantly black with splashes of green, brown and burgundy hues. Remember: the more uniform the color, the better the raw material.
3. Aroma. The palette of smells of the real Da Hong Pao is revealed in several stages. The dense and rich aroma is replaced by a soft, velvety and slightly sweet aftertaste.
4. Storage method. Raw materials should be stored in an airtight dark container to protect the oolong from ultraviolet radiation and foreign odors.

How to brew and drink

For the tea ceremony we need:

• special teapot for brewing;
• chahai (an intermediate vessel into which brewed tea is poured before serving to guests);
• cups;
• sieve.

First of all, bring the filtered water to a boil and pour it into the kettle. The sole purpose of the liquid is to heat the kettle. As soon as the goal is completed, drain the water and pour 7 grams of Da Hong Pao into a warm kettle and fill it with liquid again. There is no need to drink the first brew. After 5 seconds, the first infusion should be poured into the guests' cups. The liquid should warm them up and get rid of the accumulated dust.

Drain the liquid again, fill the kettle with clean water and infusion from the cups. Why refill the infusion? To raise the temperature inside the teapot without damaging the structure of the tea leaves. The infusion makes the drink more dense and saturated, forms additional tart notes.

After 5 seconds, you need to pour the infusion into the chahai, and from there pour it into the cups of the guests. Dust that will accumulate at the bottom of the cups must be poured out. Use a sieve to filter raw materials.

High-quality Da Hong Pao can be brewed a maximum of 6-7 times. Focus on the quality, taste and texture of tea leaves. If by the sixth circle the drink begins to taste bitter or changes dramatically in taste, stop the tea ceremony or take new raw materials. With each filling of the kettle, the brewing time should be increased by 10-20 seconds, but no more.

Important: after tea drinking it is very important to immediately clean up the mess. Rinse the utensils in water and put in place - this is one of the mandatory rules for the end of the ritual.

Tea "Red Robe"- one of the rarest and most expensive varieties of drink. Its original name sounds like "Da Hong Pao", which means "Big Red Robe". Belongs to oolongs of medium fermentation. This tea is made in Fujian province. It is famous for its slightly intoxicating effect, which is not comparable to the effect of ordinary alcohol.

How did tea come about?

Very interesting. There are several legends describing the appearance of the "Big Red Robe". The first legend tells that the tea drink helped to cure the emperor's mother. The grateful ruler gave the tea bushes large red robes, dressed on 4 bushes, where medicinal leaves grew.

The most famous legend says that a certain student suffered from a sunstroke before passing a responsible exam. The kind monk put him on his feet with tea. When the student coped with the exams and achieved his goal - a high position, he was presented with a red robe, which is the hallmark of all officials. A recent student was very grateful to the monk and wanted to give him a beautiful red robe adorned with a dragon. But the traditions of Buddhism did not allow the monk to accept the gift, so the official gave the robe to the tea bushes.

How Red Robe Tea is Made

The production of raw materials takes place in several stages:

• they collect leaves only once a year at the end of spring - from May 1 to May 15, when the rains have already ended and the sun is constantly shining. Take only 4 upper leaves along with the cutting;
• to rid the leaves of excess moisture, they are laid out in the shade or in a special ventilated room for a couple of hours;
• to speed up fermentation, the leaves are gently crushed by hand. In this case, juice is released, and oxygen enters the structure of the tea. After this procedure, the raw material is left for fermentation;
• to stop fermentation, roasting is performed, lasting only a couple of minutes;
• the leaves are rolled lengthwise and dried completely. This allows you to get rid of the remaining moisture and fix the shape of the leaves;
• for three summer months, leaves are torn off from the cuttings, which are then sorted and blended;
• the process ends with a slow warm-up. For about 24 hours, the raw materials are heated by placing them in wicker baskets over coal. In this case, it is customary to change the coals several times;
• this completes the production of tea, and its packaging is carried out.

Characteristics of Red Robe Tea

You can find only positive reviews about this tea, more often even enthusiastic ones, it is so good. Fans of the variety adore it for its richness. With each brewing, the taste of tea changes, due to which it seems that every time you try some new variety. doesn't burn at all. When it cools, the taste becomes even softer and sweeter. Very long gentle aftertaste is especially appreciated.

The finished drink has a dark brown color. But with repeated brewing, the shade becomes lighter with amber impurities. The leaves themselves can be green, brown or even red-brown in color.

Those who try the drink for the first time will certainly be captivated by its aroma. This smell will remind you of itself for a long time - every time you will dream of feeling this unique aroma again with a hint of vanilla and roasted nuts. Some tea lovers claim that the "Red Robe" has several notes of spices. At the same time, the smell, like the taste, changes after each brewing.

Useful properties of tea "Red Robe"

No wonder this drink is called healing - it has a powerful healing effect. t for the whole organism. It has a whole pantry of trace elements: calcium, iodine, iron, tannins, caffeine and many others. Tea is also rich in vitamins B, C, E, D, K, etc.

Both folk and official medicine note among the positive properties of tea:

• improving the health of hair and skin;
• getting rid of extra pounds. Red Robe Tea is one of the most powerful weight loss drinks by absorbing most of the body's fat;
• strengthening the cardiovascular system, including blood vessels;
• cleansing the body of toxic substances, toxins and salts of heavy metals;
• improving the condition of the gums and teeth;
• resistance to cancer cells.

In addition, the drink has an impact on the emotional sphere.

How to brew this tea

« Big Red robe» fully reveals its taste and aroma only if it is properly brewed. To prepare a drink you need:

• prepare in advance the dishes to be used: teapot, cups;
• Rinse the kettle with hot water to warm it up. This is done to improve the taste of tea;
• boil water, and then cool to 85 ° C. The maximum temperature should not exceed 90 ° C - this will kill all the taste and aroma of tea;
• add leaves to the teapot and fill with water. This is necessary in order to wash off the dust from the leaves and prepare them for "opening", so the first tea leaves will have to be drained immediately;
• Pour water back into the kettle and cover tightly. It is advisable to put a towel on top. The drink will brew for about two minutes;
• after this time, you can pour tea into cups and enjoy tea drinking.

It is important! Tea can be brewed up to 5-6 times. Each brew differs from the previous saturation, aroma and flavor.

This variety is one of the rarest in the world. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy real Red Robe tea - 4 tea bushes have been kept in the famous Tea Museum since 2006. Naturally, the collection of leaves is prohibited. In specialized departments, you can find tea leaves offered under the name Da Hong Pao, but it is a mixture of several varieties grown in Fujian province.

The price for such tea leaves varies from 750 rubles per 100 grams and above. Each manufacturer has its own combination of components, so a particular type may vary in taste characteristics.