On Wuyi mountain, Fujian province, southern China, there is a stone tablet engraved with 3 red characters "Da Hong Pao". These inscriptions were given by the monk Thien Tam Temple to the name of a tree that grows steeply on high cliffs, known as the "national treasure" of China. In fact, this is a group of 3 stems and 6 tea tree stumps, collectively known as "Dai Hong Pao mother tree" or also known as Dai Hong Bao Vu Di Son.
What kind of tree is Dai Hong Bao mother tree?
Dai Hong Pao Vu Di Son is a tea tree belonging to the Oolong family. In addition, it is also called Vu Di Son Nham Tra, which comes from the fact that these tea trees grow on the cliffs (lava).
This tea is so named because the tea leaves are naturally oxidized by 50-60% after being picked due to the action of plant enzymes in the leaves that make the water orange-red. This tea water color resembles the color of an old red coat. Dai Hong Pao tea has a sweet, light taste, unlike any other tea. When mixing, it is necessary to use pure water, boil to 100 degrees Celsius. The next time you must also ensure that the water is at this temperature.
When used, Dai Hong cell tea has the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing fatigue, diuretic, antipyretic, slimming, good for the digestive system, preventing cancer, lowering blood lipids, anti-aging...
Da Hong Pao Tea is known as the king of teas, it is at the top of the ten great teas (10 famous teas) of China. In particular, the type of tea taken from Wuyi Mountain is of top quality, in the past, it was only used to advance the king.
6 Dai Hong Bao mother trees are insured by the Fujian provincial government for more than 300 billion VND. (Photo: Sohu)
Plants are insured for hundreds of billions of dong
According to botanists, the Dai Hong Pao tea trees on Wuyi Mountain are more than 350 years old. They appeared from the end of the Ming Dynasty and still live healthy on Wuyi Mountain. They are now listed on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage list as the most famous ancient tea trees in the world. Each year these Dai Hong Pao tea trees can only harvest less than 500 grams of finished product.
In 2002, in a special auction in Guangzhou, 20 grams of Da Hong Pao tea was sold for 180.000 yuan (nearly 600 million dong).
Compared to the price of gold at that time, 1 gram of Dai Hong Pao tea was exchanged for 90 grams of gold. This proves the rarity of this tea.
Even the Fujian provincial government has bought insurance for these 6 Dai Hong Pao tea trees up to more than 300 billion VND.
Why is Dai Hong Bao Vu Di Son so popular?
According to experts, the reason this plant is so appreciated is because of the following reasons.
Firstly, due to the tea trees growing on the cliffs. This is an area with little sunlight, mainly receiving only reflected rays. In addition to the large temperature difference between day and night here, the top of the cliff all year round has spring water flowing through and carrying minerals that have enriched the Dai Hong Pao tea trees in Wuyi Mountain. Thanks to these unique natural conditions, Wuyishan Dai Hong Pao tea has a unique flavor.
The second is due to the elaborate processing. This type of Dai Hong Pao tea tree needs to be picked completely by hand, only picking once a year in May or June. The standard for picking fresh tea leaves is that each bud has only 5-6 leaves and should not be allowed to touch. down to the ground. Dai Hong Pao tea does not use water washing method to clean the leaves.
On the cliffs of Wuyi are three red words "Dai Hong Pao" to introduce the "national treasure" tea of China. (Photo: Sohu)
After picking, the tea leaves are spread evenly in the sun, using the sun and wind to dry. After the leaves wilt, move to a shady place. Next, the tea leaves are stored in a large bamboo plant to facilitate oxidation of polyphenols.
This is a very important and complex step to form the distinctive flavor of this tea. Tea can be copied by hand or machine. The temperature of making tea by hand or machine is also strictly regulated. The next step is kneading with a machine or by hand to roll and twist the tea leaves into a wire shape. The last step is to place the tea leaves in the basket and then use different temperatures to heat and dry the leaves.
The third is due to the unique taste of tea. Dai Hong Pao tea leaves, after drying, are shaped like slightly twisted ropes. They are blue and brown. The tea when brewed has a characteristic orchid scent and a lingering sweetness. Its water is orange-yellow, clear. Dai Hong Pao tea can keep the same flavor after 9 times of brewing.
The fourth is due to the rarity of the Wuyishan Dai Hong Pao tea tree. Since the discovery of these ancient tea trees about 100 years ago, during the next 50 years, experts have tried to breed this plant but to no avail.
Due to the characteristics of good quality but difficult to grow, low yield, Dai Hong Pao Wuyishan tea is considered the rarest tea variety in China. Only about 20 grams of this tea are sold each year. However, in order to maintain the quality and prolong the life of the mother plants in Wuyi Mountain, the Fujian provincial government has decided to stop harvesting tea leaves since 2005. Currently, there are only a few Dai tea leaves on the market. Original Hong Pao from 6 mother plants. Therefore, even the rich, even if they want to change their fortune, have a hard time owning this tea.
Priceless tree
Legend has it that in the Tang Dynasty, Dai Hong Pao was used as a high-class gift. During the Yuan Dynasty, Dai Hong Pao was used as one of the finest tributes. In the reign of Vu Nguyen Tong, people also built a tea processing workshop and tea garden dedicated to the royal family.
To process the high-class tea Dai Hong Pao, people have to go through many complicated stages. (Photo: Sohu)
In the 18th century, during the reign of King Kangxi, this tea was first introduced in Europe, then exported to North America and Southeast Asian countries.
According to a tea expert, Vu Di Son Dai Hong Pao tea is too expensive because now there are only 6 mother plants left. Therefore, this tea is extremely precious, if not priceless. It is so special that brokers have to join the world of rich tea lovers to mediate between sellers and buyers. Currently, due to the extremely small quantity, Dai Hong Bao Vu Di Son tea is only used to serve the State's diplomatic guests and important events.
Not only that, in order to prevent this tree from being destroyed, the Fujian provincial government has sent people to guard the 6 mother trees on Wuyi Mountain strictly.
(Source: Vietnamese Women)
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