If it interests you, let's pop open the hood here a bit and look at what's going on with Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea from Wuyishan, China.
First of all Wuyishan is magical and stunningly awesome, that's a fact. It's the kind of place that has drawn people for centuries to set up solitary temples and monasteries to be on top of the world in profound contemplation. There are also many places in Wuyishan (like Alishan park in Taiwan) you expect a fairy to pop out at any second. It's a mystical and visually impressive place.
There are many indigenous tea varietals growing naturally all over Wuyishan and have been for thousands of years. The three most well-known are Shui Xian, Rou Gui and Da Hong Pao. It's also worth noting that there is no Wuyi Mountain (shan). The name refers to the town and all the mountains around there have particular names.
Now as far as Da Hong Pao tea is concerned. I've heard a few different stories about this tea. The first one I heard and still my favorite goes like this:
Once long ago there was an Emperor who loved his concubine very much. She fell ill and lay in bed prone all day long, her eyes closed and unmoving. The Emperor called out to all the Kingdom for any doctor that could heal her to come at once with the promise of great riches. One after the other failed until one day, a poor farmer arrived. He explained that the Emperor's beloved was from an area called Wuyishan where there is a very special medicinal plant. The farmer brought tea from a tea bush growing out of the side of a cliff in Wuyishan. They sat the concubine up in bed, brought the tea to her lips and she immediately awoke and smiled. The Emperor was overjoyed and brought gold, silver and a royal red robe to the farmer and this tea became famous all over China.
True or not, I'm a sucker for stories like this.
Well, the original tea plants from the story are still there and they're called the Mother Plants. There are three originals and three more natural off-springs. For a good while the tea made from these plants were the sole realm of emperors and presidents, but now-a-days no longer picked as they are considered too valuable! The name of this tea tree type (varietal) is Qidan and can be seen in the thumbnail pic of this blog.
Now here’s where it gets complicated. The truth is that the market name “Da Hong Pao” is not the name of a tea plant, but rather refers to a blend that comes from the area of Wuyishan processed in the roasted oolong manner. So when you purchase Da Hong Pao on the internet or elsewhere it could be anything from anywhere. The available quality range is enormous.
Further, there are two distinctions that affect the price. The first is called “Zheng Yan” and that refers to plants that grow in the park in the proximity of the mother plants (whatever the cultivar). The other is called “Ban Yan” and is outside of the immediate area. I'm not sure if Ban Yan has an outer limit, I need to check on that. But honestly the entire immediate area of all the surrounding mountains are amazing and among the best tea growing areas I’ve ever visited. From now, we’re offering on our site a Ban Yan blend from just around the park because it’s amazing and just as good as the Zheng Yan at a better price.
Like all Dahongpao on the market, ours is a blend. The reason it's blended is that it gives a better, more complex brew as a blend. Also, Qidan plants are limited in number. The closest you can get to the original plants is a second generation clone, and that’s what we have in our blend - from big 40-year old plants! If you want to try just the Qidan leaves we'll offer samples on our site in the "special curations" section so you can try it.
All in all, Wuyishan is just amazing. I'm so glad I finally got a chance to explore there and plan on going back next year with our daughter! If you don't speak Chinese and want to visit, let me know. I know someone who can arrange it for you. Just steer clear of the touristy trails and you'll have the park to yourself! Here are some pictures:
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