Country of Origin: China
Leaf Appearance: long, dark and twisted
Ingredients: oolong tea
Steep time: 30 seconds
Water Temperature: 212 degrees
Preparation Method: porcelain gaiwan
Liquor: amber
Da Hong Pao, otherwise known as Big Red Robe, is an oolong tea that originates from the Wuyi Mountains in the Fujian Province of China. This tea was a lovely example. It was complex yet approachable. There were notes of honey and peach with a subtle gravely spiciness in the finish. There was a hint of astringency but overall it was a very smooth cup of tea. I did five or six consecutive infusions and the flavor did not fade at all. It’s no secret that I’m a big oolong fan and I tend to favor darker varieties like this one. Interestingly enough, there were some negative reviews of this tea on Adagio’s site. The steep times and water temperatures that some of those folks listed were all over the place. I think a lot of those can be chalked up to inexperience. A tea like this demands to be prepared in a gaiwan or at least an yixing, otherwise you will not get everything that the leaves have to give.
Purchase this tea here.