Tea Da Hong Pao: properties and rules of brewing

Da Hong Pao is an oolong tea, a real gem, unique in its properties and characteristics of the drink.It can be attributed to black tea, and to green, it occupies an intermediate place between these species. Why is it called the red robe, what effect does it have on the body? Let's look at these and many other issues.

Tea is an affordable and popular drink in many countries. There are so many varieties of it that a year is not enough for everyone to taste. Varieties are classified according to the method of processing, composition, place of growth.

Da Hong Pao - the famous Chinese tea, the hero of a huge number of works of literature, cinema, journalism. In the literature there are many legends of the origin of this drink, historians identify two of the most plausible.

1. The first legend tells about a student who received a heatstroke. A monk next door used tea to relieve symptoms of a stroke. After an excellent exam and obtaining a high position, the student presented the monk with a big red robe. A Buddhist monk, adhering to the principles of his teaching, refused the gift and dressed in a bathrobe tea bushes.
2. According to the second legend, the emperor's mother fell ill. Tea managed to cure her. As a sign of gratitude, the ruler dressed tea bushes in red robes. Hence the name of this unique drink.

Tea connoisseurs distinguish a number of features inherent in Da Hong Pao.

• Exclusivity of the product, which is very small in the world. There are only a few mother bushes left. This tea will not work the usual buyer. The original “big red robe” is grown only in Fujian Province and the Wu Mountains. It costs fabulous sums - up to half a million dollars.

• The production process includes nine stages, each of which is unique and requires compliance with many conditions. First there is a collection (periods are strictly defined), branches with the first four leaflets are broken. Then they are dried, but not completely, only until a part of moisture is lost. After this, manual crushing and fermentation take place. Roasting is the next stage of production. The master must be extremely attentive; leaves are roasted for just a few minutes. After frying, the leaves begin to twist, only then finally dry. This removes all moisture and is completely dried. When the form is fixed, the masters tear off the leaves from the twigs, sort and blend. At the final stage, the obtained raw material is heated over coal, and then packed.

• Multifaceted taste. It has caramel sweetness, fruit sourness, toffee closeness and soft vanilla. With each brewing, the sound changes, a new palette of taste opens.
• The unusual effect of tea - it affects the psychological and emotional state of a person, relieves nervous tension, tones, invigorates, gives a feeling of lightness, connoisseurs call this effect "tea intoxication."
• "Red Robe" - a natural antidepressant. It consists of the amino acid L-theanine, which, entering the body, produces a pleasure hormone - dopamine.
• Gathers several times a year, autumn and spring collections are aromatic and rich.
• There are many related varieties that are close in taste and are not inferior in effect. Popular Xiao Hong Pao and Wu Qi Lan. These varieties are more affordable and offerable. Masters of Chinese tea ceremonies use only the oolong tea, which Da Hong Pao refers to.

“Big Red Robe” - oolong tea, that is, “turquoise tea”, another name - “black dragon”, is a semi-fermented drink, combining the properties of green and black tea. Fermentation leaves are only half. The fermentation procedure covers the edges of the leaves, a little surface.The inner layer preserves the natural primeval structure, thereby ensuring a unique aroma and taste.

Experts give a description of tea in several aspects.

• Colour. It is painted at once in several shades - from brown and black to green and claret. Color uniformity indicates high product quality. The color of the drink itself varies from dark gold to amber.
• Smell. Deep, sweet, there are vanilla notes. The drink has a consistency of flavor. If the smell disappears after the third brew, it will indicate the addition of dyes. After each brewing, the smell may change - at first, the tart flavor is then replaced by a plume fruit and flower sweetness.
• Taste. It does not open immediately, in several stages. Fans describe it as dense, rich and tart at the beginning, and then velvety and sweet.

The uniqueness of the drink is achieved due to the combination of the following nuances: the composition of the tea leaf, which grows in a certain climate, in a certain area and collected in a certain period, of a complex process of processing and preparation.

According to reviews, the effect of tea is multifaceted. After the third and subsequent cups, a feeling of a change in physical and emotional state will appear:

• the world will seem friendly, friendly and interesting, there will be a feeling of comfort;
• pleasant relaxation of the body, smooth movements without loss of accuracy and direction;
• a creative attitude, a new approach to problems, there will be ideas on how to solve a difficult situation;
• the irritation will stop, the anger will leave;
• slackness, which makes it easier to communicate even with unfamiliar interlocutors.

"Big Red Robe" will appeal to those who want to speed up the process of losing weight. The leaves contain polyphenol, it speeds up the metabolic processes, due to which fat deposits break down faster. Oolong tea removes harmful substances, reduces the negative effects of slags and toxins.

Another direction of action of the drink - cardiovascular. Moderate use of tea regulates blood pressure, relieves migraines. The next action is a mild cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract, normalization of intestinal microflora, prevention of caries and gum inflammation.

In home cosmetology, Da Hong Pao is very popular. Properly brewed tea is used as a lotion or a mask. The tool will moisturize the skin, make it velvety, soft, relieve inflammation.

Da Hong Pao is not just a fashionable trend. The drink regulates several systems of the human body. Its use has a positive effect on many organs, reduces the risk of a number of diseases.

For proper brewing, the following components and utensils are required.

• Tea. Only fresh product stored in sealed packaging in a dark place.
• Purified water. Water from the tap will negate the aroma and taste, ruin the tea ceremony.
• Dishes - a teapot, kettle, cups of quality porcelain, clay or glass. Special dishes - chahai (“the bowl of justice”) will become an additional element for creating an atmosphere, but you can get along with a regular mug.
• Kitchen thermometer.

Brew Da Hong Pao - a whole mystery, which must be carried out without haste, peacefully and relaxed. Connoisseurs of tea ceremonies adhere to the following rules for brewing a “red robe”.

• Rate the quality of tea. Elite brewing is better to buy in specialized stores. A quality product looks like twisted long leaves of brown color with burgundy and green shades.
• Sufficient dry weight is seven grams. Scales are used for accuracy.
• For successful tea drinking it is important not only the quality of brewing, but also the psychological state.You need to escape from the hustle and bustle, think about something pleasant, imagine how a wonderful drink is about to be born in your hands.
• The water is heated to 90 degrees, the kitchen thermometer will help determine the exact temperature. You can not bring the water to a boil.

• Preparing dishes. Hot water rinsed teapot, also warmed cups. The procedure is necessary so that in contact with the dishes the taste of tea does not deteriorate.
• Tea is poured into the kettle. Broken, small leaves and their fragments are laid out on the bottom, large, folded sheets are on top. This sequence will help the tea to reveal all the shades of taste.
• The tea leaves are poured with water at a temperature of 85 degrees for 30 seconds, then everything is immediately poured into a drop. The first portion of water "awakens" tea, cleans it from dust, impurities.
• The twisted leaves managed to wake up and are ready to fully give the taste, color and smell of tea. Now the first brew. The leaves are completely poured with hot water (90 degrees) for 1 minute, the contents are poured into the “bowl of justice” (to obtain an even brew) and spread into cups.
• A good tea can have up to 8 brews. They also last for 1 minute and are poured in the same sequence. An increase in brewing time is allowed.

You will learn more about how to brew Da Hong Pao tea in the following video.

Masters of tea ceremonies assign a special place Da Hong Pao. You need to drink this tea without haste, enjoying every moment. In order for the ceremony to become multifaceted, "tasty", more comfortable, experts give some advice.

• In one ceremony, you can and should brew several varieties of tea. The successful combination is to drink Da Hong Pao after Bai Mao Hou. The “red robe” will open even stronger and richer after the “white-haired monkey”.
• Tea ceremonies are held two to three hours after meals.
• Drinking Da Hong Pao is recommended in the morning before lunch. This will allow you to feel the full taste of it and catch the shades of impact on the mood.
• Drinking abuse can have a negative effect on the nervous system and heart. Chinese teas contain psychoactive substances, so it is important not to get involved in them.