Da hong pao brewing. How to brew Da Hong Pao

A variety from the oolong family with centuries-old history. The name translates as Big Red Robe, the raw materials for tea are collected exclusively on the slopes of Mount Wuyi in Fujian province. The taste of the drink is soft, with a fruity and slightly sweet aftertaste. A real delight for connoisseurs elite tea- Da Hong Pao variety. How to brew it correctly and what are the features of this tea, we will consider further.

History of the appearance of the variety

The unusual name of the drink is associated with a legend. At the end of the 14th century, a Chinese graduate of an elite school was on his way to an imperial test in Beijing, but on the way through the mountains he felt ill. The monk he met calmed the young man, made him tea, and soon the signs of illness disappeared. The young man arrived for the exam on time and took an important post, receiving the attribute of an official - a red robe. In gratitude for the miraculous healing, he presented his robe as a gift to the monk, but he refused. Then the guy wrapped his robe around the bush from which the same tea was plucked.

Now there are only 6 left, from which we received legendary drink. However, it was decided that all representatives of the tea culture on the slopes of Mount Wuyi Shan have the right to be called Da Hong Pao.

Characteristics of Da Hong Pao

Big Red Robe belongs to the category of elite teas; its price in stores starts from $20 per 100 g, and leaves from the legendary, oldest bushes are not allowed for sale at all. The price of this variety increases if the leaves were collected from mature plants: it is believed that over the years the raw materials become more saturated and useful.

Tea leaves are collected by hand and spread in a thin layer to dry. After a day, the excess moisture evaporates, the raw materials are fermented, the juice is squeezed out of the leaves, and they are allowed to sit for a while. Then the oolong is fried in a cauldron and kept slightly warm over the coals. The last stage before packaging is “resting” for a month, after which Da Hong Pao acquires a slightly sweet taste with smoky and nutty notes. Tea leaves of high-quality tea have the shape of a naturally twisted leaf and a greenish-brown color with a characteristic aroma.

Brewed tea of this variety has the following properties:

tones the body, quickly relieves fatigue;
normalizes blood pressure, has a beneficial effect on internal organs and systems;
accelerates metabolic processes, promotes the removal of waste and toxins;
a slight diuretic effect is noticeable;
improves digestion, useful for complex weight loss;
prevents oncological tumors;
strengthens the immune system.

It is recommended to drink Da Hong Pao in a calm environment, as drinking it relaxes nervous system and causes a feeling of mild euphoria, similar to the superficial effect of intoxication. Due to this feature, people sometimes wonder how to brew Da Hong Pao so that it sticks. Frankly speaking, in relation to such noble tea this question sounds rude, even blasphemous. The Big Red Robe variety provides exceptional spiritual pleasure, distracting from everyday worries.

In order for Da Hong Pao to fully reveal itself, you should follow a few simple rules:

Always use good water. Ideal option Melt or spring water is considered, but bottled water is also suitable. Filtered water can be used if it does not have a bitter taste after purification. The main thing is not to use tap liquid, as it will significantly distort the bouquet.
Tea is brewed with almost boiling water, the water temperature should be within 90-95 o C. Repeated boiling is unacceptable, since the water will cease to be “alive”, the effect and taste sensations from the tea will not be the same.
Use clay, glass or porcelain dishes that retain heat well. After brewing, it is recommended to rinse the kettle with running water without using detergents. For each type of oolong, it is advisable to purchase a separate brewing vessel.
For one tea ceremony for two people, 3-5 g of dry tea (equivalent to a full teaspoon) is enough.
Improper storage affects the effect and taste of the product. Basic storage conditions - dense clay, glass or can with a lid and a dark place.

We drink the drink slowly from small cups or bowls in order to fully appreciate the aftertaste of the tea and its healing effect on the body.

How to brew Da Hong Pao

If you have already purchased Da Hong Pao and are looking for how to brew this noble oolong, we will tell you about the preparation procedure magic drink. Of course, we are not talking about a tea ceremony, which requires several hours of free time. But to create a peaceful mood in the company of a loved one and reveal the full spectrum of taste of the Big Red Robe, it will be enough to carry out the following actions:

Prepare the dishes required amount tea (3-5 g) and boiling water.
Pour boiling water over the teapot to warm it up.
Place the tea leaves in a brewing container and pour boiling water over it for just a few seconds. We immediately pour out the liquid, since this stage is needed to wash the leaves from dust and dirt.
Now you can brew tea directly for drinking. Fill the tea leaves to the top with 100 ml of hot water; first, let it steep for 10-15 seconds. The aromatic liquid is poured completely into the cups, the lid on the container with the tea leaves is slightly opened.
In total, the Big Red Robe is brewed 7-8 times, with each subsequent brewing the infusion time should be extended by 10-15 seconds. The taste will change slightly after each repetition, revealing new facets.

Julia Vern 4 203 0

Yes hong pao- Chinese cliff oolong tea, grown on plantations in the Wuyi Mountains. The Russian translation interprets this name as “big red robe.” Several years ago, the tea leaf became a tourist symbol of the Wuyi area.

The first mention of tea dates back to 1385. This is an entry from the chronicle book of the Tian Xin Si Monastery. It tells the story of how a young student suffered from heatstroke, and a novice of the monastery cured him with an infusion of Da Hong Pao tea. The young man was just on his way to take the imperial exams to receive the prestigious position of an official, which corresponded to a red robe.

Having successfully completed and received a place, the student returned to Tian Xin Si and presented the monk with a red robe in gratitude for his help. But he refused because of his faith. Then the young man gave a robe with a dragon image to the tea bushes that saved him. There are a great many other legends associated with monkeys, the emperor and dragons. Each province has its own story.

Today, the number of people wishing to purchase a few grams of oolong is several times higher than the average yield for the year. There are only four original shrubs left in China, from which about 400 g of top leaves and twigs are removed at the beginning of May each year. This crop is stored separately and used only in cases of special national importance. It was last sold ten years ago for half a million dollars. In 1972, Richard Nixon, President of the United States, was given 50g natural tea Da Hong Pao. According to contemporaries, this gift cost $250 thousand, although Nixon himself did not appreciate the gesture and was offended, deciding that it was ordinary grass.

Several years ago, after a sharp influx of tourists, the Chinese government approved a regulation according to which any oolong in Wuishan could be considered Da Hong Pao bushes. According to the authorities' calculations, this would save Chinese tea ny market. This happened, but the world market suffered due to the appearance huge amount fakes

Choosing the best option

The original tea leaf is quite difficult to distinguish from other varieties. True connoisseurs They claim that regular store-bought tea is very different from the real thing. But only extremely wealthy people can afford one.

Finding natural Da Hong Pao will be difficult even in Chinese markets. There are some standard criteria the right choice rock product:

Good tea - fresh. The date of manufacture must indicate the last year of harvest.
Decent leaves should be bright and dense. If they crumble easily, then they are not suitable.
Also, they should not curl into balls or wrinkle. Otherwise, the conclusion suggests itself that the raw materials were not dried according to technology.
If after the second brewing the infusion loses its aroma, it will be possible to use dyes.
How better quality tea, the more uniform the color.

Stages of cultivation and production

In order to perfectly produce Da Hong Pao, the raw materials collected from the bushes in early May must undergo scrupulous selection. Leaves from different trees are not mixed, since the age of the bush directly affects the price finished product. It is generally accepted that the leaves of old trees are endowed with the deepest tastes and aromas.

After collection, the drying process occurs. In order for the raw material to release excess moisture, it is laid out in an even layer in the open air or in a well-ventilated area. The work of preparing tea leaves is manual and requires special care and perseverance. One mistake can affect the quality of the entire batch of goods.

Limp at primary processing the leaves and twigs become crumpled and then undergo fermentation in special rotating drums. This lasts for several days. There is no set deadline for each stage. Manufacturers themselves decide when the raw materials are ready for the next stage.

After the fermentation procedure, the leaves are fried in huge cauldrons for several minutes. This time is enough to destroy the remaining enzymes. Next, they are twisted longitudinally and dried until the moisture completely disappears.

The third stage takes the entire summer. It involves manually separating the leaves from the stems. They are then sorted and blended. At the final stage, the product undergoes final processing and is heated over coals. After which it is packaged and goes on sale.

Benefits for health and soul

Da Hong Pao tea is rich in beneficial features. It promotes:

strengthening the human immune system,
cleansing the body of toxins,
improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract,
stabilization of blood pressure.

Regular consumption of tea can cure hypertension and calm the nervous system. Greatest benefit obtained when consumed in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. Da Hong Pao removes toxins, creating favorable flora for food intake, and stimulates the flow of bile from the body.

Brewing secrets

Like any other type of tea, Chinese Da Hong Pao needs to be brewed correctly. To do this, you will need special utensils: a clay or glass teapot, and if you travel, a compact and convenient gaiwan will come in handy. Da Hong Pao can be re-brewed up to eight times.

The cooking process is not just a tribute to tradition. Some steps will help protect the health of the consumer. To begin with, you should put the required amount of tea leaves into an empty kettle. Oolong will quickly impart a rich aroma to the container. Then you need to rinse the leaves with slightly cooled boiling water and drain the water.

The first brew is not intended for drinking. It disinfects and cleans leaves from dust.

The second brew can be safely consumed. Gradually, the tea leaves will open and by the fourth pouring of water they will lose their aroma. But the taste is the opposite. With each subsequent brew tea taste will acquire new shades and facets.

Some universal cooking rules:

Do not pour pure boiling water over oolong! First, the water should stand and cool to a maximum of 80 degrees;
Fresh filtered water is ideal;
If the tea is left too long, it will become unpleasantly bitter;
With each subsequent serving, Da Hong Pao needs to be brewed 20-30 seconds longer;
Pouring tea into bowls, instead of standard cups, will complement the atmosphere and allow the tea to cool faster.

Result and effect

Da Hong Pao is a type of tea that tastes different every time you drink it. Its depth and aroma depend on the container, water, brewing time, and even the processing conditions on the plantations. On taste qualities a person's individual perception will also be affected. The color range of the finished infusion is extensive: from golden shades to dark amber tones.

Some people will find the taste of tea caramel-like, others will feel a hint of vanilla and tart fruit in it. The smell also changes. This is due to the fact that today this type of tea is very rare. What is sold under the guise of the original is the leaves of daughter bushes or their crosses.

Chinese tea is characterized by a significant aftertaste. Sometimes, it is in it that the main details are revealed.

The effect of Da Hong Pao is the so-called psycho-emotional effect of tea on a person’s nervous state. It stimulates relaxation, relieves tension, slightly intoxicates and even creates the effect of intoxication. A peaceful, calm mood helps you focus on the main thing and not get distracted. That is why it is best to drink oolong in the morning. It tones and does not cause “coffee vivacity”; it is not an energy drink.

Human imagination allows you to endlessly experiment with tastes. Interesting combination will drink Da Hong Pao an hour and a half after another Chinese cliff tea. Adding vanilla, cinnamon, mint and lemon can enhance the flavor. The Chinese also like to use spicy spices like cardamom nutmeg and even pepper. You can drink the oolong infusion with a slice of chocolate or orange - this will reveal the range of aftertaste.

The aroma is strongly absorbed into the walls of the clay teapot due to their porosity. Therefore, it is not recommended to be used for different varieties. But you can try and discover new boundaries of tea tastes. The multifaceted smell of oolong will give you peace of mind and put you in the right mood.

1. Tea – only necessary fresh tea, which was stored correctly - in airtight, non-transparent packaging! Old tea may not give a complete picture of the taste sensations from drinking tea.
2. Pure water– It is advisable to use bottled or filtered water. Using tap water can kill the taste and aroma of tea.
3. Utensils for brewing - of course, special tea utensils will be a plus, but if you don’t have one, you can get by with an ordinary mug.

Dahongpao can be brewed different ways using: gaiwan, flask, teapot or mug.

When brewing using any of the above methods, it is advisable for you to adhere to a few simple recommendations:

1. Use 7-10 grams of tea per 150-200 milliliters. For one-time brewing in a mug, use 1 teaspoon of tea.
2. Water temperature 90 degrees.
3. Zero brewing - the tea must be rinsed before the main brewing.
4. With each brew, the brewing time increases until the tea leaf stops giving off color and taste.

How to brew the Big Red Robe in a mug:

Not everyone has the opportunity to always use special tea utensils for brewing; for example, at work or friends may simply not have it. Therefore, we will describe point by point how to properly brew Da Hong Pao in a mug.

1. Boil the kettle and leave to cool to the required 90 degrees, just wait a few minutes.
2. Warm up the mug, just rinse with boiling water.
3. Pour 1 teaspoon of Dahongpao tea into a mug.
4. Rinse the tea, just pour hot water, wait a few seconds and drain. All tea is ready to brew.
5. Pour hot water over the tea, wait about 2-3 minutes.
6. Enjoy your tea!

How to brew Da Hong Pao correctly:

By correct brewing, you need to understand the use of special tea utensils.

Water preparation:

Boil the kettle and leave to cool to 90 degrees. While it's cooling, let's prepare the dishes...

Preparing tea utensils:

Before brewing, warm up the dishes, just pour boiling water over them. In addition to heating, you will remove dust particles that have settled on the bottom of the dish.

Preparing tea - zero brewing:

Pour the tea into a brewing container and fill it with hot water (90 degrees). Wait 30 seconds and drain every last drop. We don’t drink zero brew! It is designed for opening and washing tea leaf.

First brew of Dahunpao:

You can already feel how deep the aroma of this legendary tea fills space? Lift the lid of the teapot and inhale the aroma, enjoy it. Of course, in order to fully enjoy and understand the aroma of Da Hong Pao, you need to buy fresh and high-quality tea.

When brewing for the first time, fill the container with hot water and wait about a minute, then pour into bowls or mugs. It is advisable to use miniature dishes, so you can feel the full value of the product. It’s not for nothing that Da Hong Pao tea is considered the most expensive tea in the world!

Second brew of Da Hong Pao:

With the second brew, you don’t need to do anything new, everything is the same as with the first. Hot water, a minute and the tea drink is ready. It's up to you to decide how long to brew. A minute is just a guideline. If you decide to brew Dahongpao for thirty seconds, it won’t make it any worse. The strength, taste and aroma of the tea will change slightly.

Third brew:

For the third brew, we repeat everything the same as for the first and second. During the third brew, the Big Red Robe should show itself in all its glory. Enjoy the drink, inhale the aroma, try to catch the different notes of the aftertaste.

Fourth brew:

Everything is the same... You have already learned how to brew Da Hong Pao correctly! Invent your own perfect way brewing! Decide on the amount of tea, use time and experiment. And soon you will discover perfectly cooked Da Hongpao!

The fifth brew and all subsequent ones:

It may be worth increasing the brewing time, or perhaps not. While the tea gives off color and taste, don’t stop.

Da Hong Pao (Dahongpao) is a Chinese tea with a sweetish aroma and characteristic unique fruity and woody notes. This is very strong tea, but as a rule, without the bitterness inherent in such tea.

Da Hong Pao is the most expensive Chinese tea, which is sold all over the world and is served to honored guests in China itself. It is known for its long history with imperial roots. Today there are only a few real old bushes of this tea left, which are protected by the state. Most tea bushes are grown from cuttings taken from old tea bushes. What kind of tea is this, how is it useful, what are the benefits of drinking it.

What is Da Hong Pao tea description

China is the birthplace of many tea drinks. We are accustomed to tea from different parts of the world, black or green, as the most popular of all types of tea. But China boasts several exclusive types of tea, among which Da Hong Pao tea occupies a special place.

The tea bushes from which the leaves for this drink are collected grow in Fujian province, more precisely in the Wuyi Mountains. It refers to semi-fermented oolong tea.

Mount Wuyi is famous for its tea plantations located in the valley along the river and on the mountain slopes. In fact, Da Hong Pao tea is the one whose tea bushes grow on mountain cliffs. This tea is processed according to traditional technology, which includes fermentation and roasting, which allows you to reveal the full aroma and taste of this tea.

To obtain this tea, young branches with several developed leaves, which are tightly curled along the axis, are collected. This is the main distinctive feature Wuyi mountain tea, for which it is also called “dragon tail”.

As a result of fermentation, the dark green leaves take on a brownish-green hue.

Da Hong Pao is a fairly strong tea with moderate astringency and velvety taste. Tea can be brewed several times. After each brewing, its leaves return to a dark green color.

Brewed tea has a dark brown or bright amber color. The aroma of tea is deep and varies depending on the frequency of brewing. It usually lacks bitterness and excessive astringency, but notes of roasting are clearly felt.

Many call it tea for men, but women also drink it with pleasure.

Benefits of Da Hong Pao tea

When researching chemical composition About 400 teas were found in it nutrients, among which stand out:

Vitamins: C, E, K, group B, D;

Micro and macroelements: iron, iodine, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, zinc, magnesium and some others;

Polyphenolic compounds;

Flavonoids;

Antioxidants.

Polyphenolic compounds help break down fat and remove it from the body, which improves metabolism. In turn, this affects weight and allows you to maintain it at an optimal level.

Flavonoids, as antioxidant compounds, prevent premature aging, improve tissue regeneration, and neutralize the oxidative effect of free radicals.

Da Hong Pao tea beneficial properties

As a drink rich in natural polyphenols and antioxidants, it has many beneficial properties. Its use may bring great benefit for the body and human health.

Here are some of the properties of Da Hong Pao tea.

Improves digestion

Excessive overeating, poor digestion, and sluggish intestines can lead to various digestive system disorders: constipation, bloating, stomach and intestinal problems. Nice cup warm tea may come to the rescue. Antioxidants and caffeine help improve metabolism, promoting better digestion of food. In this case, nutrients are better absorbed in the intestines, and harmful ones are removed from the body.

Heart Health

Regular use of this tea drink will have positive influence on cardiovascular system. The polyphenols present in the drink will help lower blood cholesterol levels. In turn, this can prevent the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels and many associated diseases, including stroke or ischemia.

Important! If you have heart problems or have had surgery on this organ, you should first consult a doctor, as tea contains caffeine.

The immune system

Why do we drink a cup of hot tea when we are sick? Right! After a warm delicious tea we start to feel much better.

But hot tea It doesn’t just warm us up when we have a cold, but gives our body a portion of useful nutrients that help us cope with the disease faster.

Antioxidants, in addition to the vitamins and minerals contained in tea, can restore and strengthen our immune system, protect in the future from diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.

There are suggestions that Da Hongpao tea may prevent damage to the body at the cellular level. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which can cause cancer cell growth.

Healthy skin

The antioxidants present in this tea are essential to counteract the effects of premature aging. Drinking Da Hong Pao tea on a regular basis can help get rid of dark spots, rough skin, even a few wrinkles.

This tea is said to be beneficial for reversing the aging process because a large number of Antioxidants, which are especially high in oolong tea, help fight environmental stress and pollution that can damage the skin.

Da Hong Pao tea for weight loss

Tea improves metabolic rate and can become in a great way for weight loss. Use healthy food with simultaneous regular use tea improves the functioning of the digestive system, promotes the breakdown of fats and rids the body of harmful substances.

At the same time, the presence of caffeine increases energy potential. Performing physical exercises to supplement proper nutrition, will help normalize weight faster.

Da Hong Pao tea effect

Compared to other teas, this tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which will help you stay alert and focused throughout the day. The caffeine in this tea is released into the bloodstream more slowly and its effects last longer compared to coffee.

At the same time, it contains L-theanine, which calms the nervous system. In general, this is a type of tea that is both calming and energizing.

How Da Hong Pao tea is made

To obtain semi-fermented Da Hongpao tea, it must go through several stages of processing in order to be considered high-grade. aromatic drink with wonderful taste.

To obtain tea leaves premium it meets only a few days a year, between 1 and 15 May. They pick a young twig with one or two leaves, but no more than four.

After collection, it is unfolded and left to dry in the sun or in a well-ventilated area.

The leaves are then slightly crumpled, in most cases by hand. Sometimes rotating drums may be used for this purpose.

At this stage, the leaf releases some of its moisture, which speeds up the fermentation process.

Crinkling also helps remove some of the bitterness and produces a balanced aroma from the tea leaves.

Tea leaf oxidation occurs to approximately 40 percent. The leaves begin to change their color from green to reddish, and a floral and fruity aroma begins to develop.

After undergoing the fermentation process, the tea leaves are pressed and sent for roasting. Roasting stops the fermentation process.

After roasting, rolling occurs, which helps further enhance the taste of the tea.

After twisting, it is sent to dry. Previously, it was dried in the sun. Today technology came to the rescue. This step finally stops any oxidation.

The last stage is roasting the tea leaves charcoal. Today, electricity can be used at this stage. This treatment gives the tea a smoky, fruity aroma that lasts for a long aftertaste.

How to brew Da Hong Pao tea correctly

Brewing this tea is no more difficult than any other. But you still need to observe and adhere to several rules.

Teaware

Traditionally, this tea is brewed in a small teapot. This allows you to drink all the tea throughout the day.

Buy cups white to fully enjoy beautiful color brewed drink.

The best water temperature for brewing tea is 90-95 degrees. Take one and a half to two teaspoons of tea leaves per 250 ml of water.

Pour over the tea a small amount boiling water and hold for about 5 seconds. Then drain this water. The purpose of this procedure is to wet the tea leaves, not to brew them.

Now bring the water temperature to the desired temperature and pour in the tea.

As already noted, this tea can be brewed several times. For the first and second brews, leave for about 1 minute.

To brew again, you need to completely use the previous brew.

For each subsequent brew, add a 30-60 second dwell time.

Once you become more familiar with the taste of this tea, you will be able to regulate the amount of tea leaves and brewing time yourself, depending on whether you want a stronger or weaker drink.

This tea has a beautiful bright orange color, similar to peach, and has a characteristic floral-woody aroma with a slight bitterness and sourness. It leaves behind a long aftertaste.

How much caffeine is in Da Hong Pao

The level of caffeine in tea varies depending on the year of harvest and growing conditions. tea bush. It may also depend on what leaves the tea is made of, whether it contains more young buds or leaves. All these aspects must be taken into account when brewing.

In general, it is believed that this tea has less caffeine than traditional black tea and even coffee.

While caffeine can be beneficial, too much caffeine can cause some unwanted side effects.

People sensitive to caffeine may experience headaches, nervousness, and trouble sleeping.

Too much high content caffeine or even moderate amounts may be harmful to pregnant women. If you are breastfeeding, you should also consult your pediatrician about how many cups of tea you can drink per day.

Da Hong Pao tea history

In China, most branded products have their own mysterious history. Da Hong Pao tea is no exception. Translated from Chinese name tea may be like “Big Red Robe.” You can also find other versions: “Red Hood”, “Big Red Robe”, “Big Red Cloak”.

There are two legends associated with the name of this type of oolong. One is with a sick scientist. The other is with the emperor’s sick mother.

According to the first legend, a young scientist heading to the capital to take the imperial exam became seriously ill on the way. In this regard, he was forced to stay in a monastery. The monks gave him their tea so that he could get better.

Having successfully passed the exam and received a position that gave him the right to wear a red robe, the scientist returned to the monastery to thank the monks and give them a large red robe. But the monks refused such a generous gift, and then the scientist covered the tea bushes with a mantle.

The second legend says that the emperor’s mother fell ill and could only be cured with this tea. In gratitude for this, the emperor sent large red robes to cover the bushes from which the tea was collected.

Whatever the history, one thing is for sure, the original tea bushes date back several centuries and the tea leaves were originally collected by monks to prepare their tea. healing drink. They continue to grow today, delighting us with delicious tea. And not only. It is also a tourist attraction that many people want to see with their own eyes.

Since 2006, picking tea from these old bushes has been prohibited in order to preserve them. All Da Hong Pao tea comes from tea bushes grown from cuttings of real bushes. This tea is more affordable than real tea, which can be worth its weight in gold. For example, tea from original old bushes can cost up to a million dollars per kilogram.

In 1998, 20 grams of this tea was sold for 156.8 thousand yen.

Many companies invest their funds in growing this tea, since initially there was always a high price for it. This is explained not only by the promotion of the brand, but also by the high cost. After all, most operations are carried out manually.

Of course, tea grown even from real cuttings, but in different conditions, with different soil, differs in its taste from the original one obtained in the Fujian region. But it still remains the most expensive variety tea all over the world.

Another legend about tea, where it grows and how it is produced

How to brew Da Hongpao tea correctly

This tea belongs to the oolong class, it is considered one of the most elite types of drink, and is valued all over the world. It is noteworthy that its name can be translated as “Big Red Robe” - and it was given to tea for a reason; it is preceded by a legend. In order to fully enjoy the divine aroma of this drink, you need to brew it correctly - this is the issue that will be covered in this publication, as well as other interesting nuances regarding tea.

Legend of origin

This will probably surprise many people interesting name. But the history of the origin of this name is even more amazing! Let's tell you more about it.

In the 14th century, a young man, a student, decided to go to take important exams. On the way, he suffered from sunstroke. The guy was lucky because this unpleasant situation occurred not far from the monastery, which was called Tian Xing Si and was located in the incredibly beautiful Wuyi Mountains.

A monk noticed the young man and decided to help him. In order to heal the student, he used locally produced tea. It was thanks to this tea that the young man took the exam, passed it successfully and was even able to get a good position. However, the guy was never able to forget his savior - after all, in fact, it was thanks to his help that he managed to achieve such heights.

The guy planned to give the monk a red embroidered robe as a thank you gift. But I didn’t take into account that monks always refuse luxurious gifts. The young man decided to cheat: he presented this robe to a tea bush. It is thanks to this interesting and unusual legend that tea got its name.

general information

Modern tea is fermented; it is noteworthy that it is collected manually, in limited quantities - this is the factor that explains the high cost of tea. You can collect raw materials only once a year, and you need to select only branches with the top 4 leaves. These factors explain the demand and popularity of tea.

If you brew the leaves correctly, the drink will have an amber, pure color when first brewed, and then a soft peach color the next time. Naturally, like all elite teas, this oolong can be brewed about 6 times - and each subsequent cup will reveal a new, special taste. By the way, once you try it once, you will never forget this taste: there are fruits mixed with coffee notes, the aftertaste is fruity, but the taste is initially spicy, which smoothly flows into a pleasant sweetness.

Benefit

The effect of drinking a cup is somewhat similar to the state after drinking a glass good wine– lightness appears in the body, mood noticeably improves. But the most important thing is that this tea does not cause intoxication; it is very beneficial for health, since it contains a large amount essential oils and minerals that activate the body's production of endorphins.

If you consume high-quality Da Hong Pao regularly, you can achieve the following effect on the body:

cleansing of toxins;
acceleration of metabolism;
strengthening the immune system;
improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
reducing the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

However, this tea is too expensive to brew regular boiling water as we do every day. There must be a whole tea ceremony, during which certain conditions must be observed - let’s look at what.

How to brew Da Hong Pao correctly?

Not worth taking plain water from the tap - this will only ruin the taste of it noble drink. The best option is clean spring water, but it is difficult to get, so experts recommend using filtered water.

All beneficial properties will be preserved only if you can brew this tea correctly, maintaining optimal temperature. 90°C - 93°C is ideal, but you can forget about boiling water if you want to brew tea properly: boiling water will completely kill both the taste and the beneficial properties that the leaves contain.

To brew, you also need to choose the right container: the teapot should be glass, clay or porcelain. For 200 ml of water you will need about 7 grams. oolong

Important: You need to buy tea only in trusted, branded tea stores! Otherwise, you may encounter a low-quality fake - even if you follow all the brewing rules, you won’t get a decent drink.

Anyway, let's get started step by step instructions Brewing the magical Da Hong Pao:

Before starting the whole process, you need to thoroughly warm up the kettle - pour hot water into the container where you plan to brew the drink a couple of times. A minute later hot water drains and refills. The service from which your guests and you will drink tea also needs to be warmed up.
In general, you can use about 10 grams for brewing. leaves - but it’s a matter of taste, some people like it more rich taste, some prefer light and unobtrusive. If you are new to this business, it is better to use a kitchen scale.
Prepare yourself both mentally and physically: you should not brew the drink in a hurry, bustle or thoughts about pressing matters. Relax, think about the eternal, relax, feel harmony. Experts say that the best thing that can happen is thinking about the upcoming drink you will create. with my own hands. Imagine picturesque mountains, where under sun rays the tea is ripening, how it is harvested, how far Da Hong Pao had to go in order to end up with you. It is also important to think about thanking the people who did the hard work of collecting and drying the tea leaves.
We heat purified or spring water to 90°C. Make sure it doesn't boil! As soon as bubbles begin to appear on the bottom, you need to turn off the heat.
Next, all people who are present at the tea ceremony should be invited to enjoy the aroma of tea. Pass the bowl containing the dried leaves around - let each guest inhale the incomparable aroma of the drink.
After all guests have tasted the tea, it can be poured into the teapot. If you see sticks, place them at the very bottom, but let there be large, whole leaves on top.
Fill the tea with water. This first portion is needed for the tea leaves to open and awaken. After 30 seconds, the water must be completely drained. During this time, the leaves will open - subsequently they will completely release all their aroma.
Now you can proceed to the most basic thing - the first brew of tea. Pour hot, but not boiling water into the kettle, leave for a minute.
Next, the liquid in the tea leaves is poured into an intermediate vessel (it is called a cup of justice - each portion of tea should have the same taste).
Afterwards, you can start treating your guests - pour the drink into portioned cups.

All the following brews - if the tea is really high quality, you can brew it 6 or 8 times, they happen exactly according to this principle. The only thing is that the exposure time can be increased, but again, in this case the owner can do everything to his taste, the most important thing is to wait 1 minute.

With each last brew, you will notice how the color and taste of the drink changes, how it acquires new shades of aroma.

In the end, I would like to add that thanks to tea, you can quickly tone up your entire body, your thoughts will clear up, your body will find lightness. Synonyms of Da Hong Pao are peace, harmony and comfort.