Da hong pao
(Dahongpao, 大红袍, Big red robe)
Da hong pao is an esteemed variety of Chinese oolong tea and one of the most expensive teas in the world. It is cultivated and harvested in the Wuyi Mountains of northern Fujian from the plants that mostly grow on cliffs and ledges. This tea is usually heavily-oxidized and typically has an earthy and mineral character with complex aromas and a sweet finish.
Da hong pao has a centuries-old tradition and holds a somewhat mythical status in China. The most expensive varieties came from six mother trees, which are considered the only authentic type of da hong pao. These mother trees are no longer used for harvesting and have been protected and insured.
In 1998, 20g of da hong pao harvested from mother trees was sold for a remarkable $28,000. Some amount of da hong pao is produced from the mother tree cultivars, but it is mostly available as da hong pao blend, which is made by master tea blenders.
Serve with
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is an old British tradition of having tea between 3 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, accompanied by sweet or savory tidbits of food. There are three types ... Read more
