I’ve been drinking a lot of Da Hong Pao lately to season a vintage unglazed Taiwanese clay pot I got recently. I am planning to only use it for Wuyi oolongs, probably DHP more than others.
This DHP starts with the expected aromas of roast, flowers, and spices, or what comes off more like camphor to me. Sipping the first infusion, it’s really mellow and smooth, subtle floral tones with a prune like fruity flavor.
The second infusion is more floral and lacks the fruity sweetness of the first. It’s rather perfumey, a very concentrated kind of floral taste, hard for me to put my thumb on what type of flower though. Maybe jasmine (something pungent like that) with a hint of rose or orchid?
The third infusion is much less intense again. It’s smooth with dried fruit notes, undertones of floral, and a hint of cooling sensation in the finish. A longer fourth infusion has brought out more spices in the aroma and a more rich and deep fruit flavor.
All in all, a good tea. To me, it’s a simple tea, not a complex one like some other Da Hong Pao I’ve had, so if you like simple, straightforward, dependable tea, well this one is good and hard to brew wrong. I still err in favor of more complex Da Hong Pao for this, which is largely the reason for my rating. If you are looking for really complex and striking Da Hong Pao, I’m afraid this is probably not the one to choose, but… Verdant has a 5 teas for $5 deal that currently includes this tea if you are a first-time customer. That includes shipping if you live in the US, China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong, so definitely give that box a try if you are new to Verdant tea. This is my first time trying teas from them, as I just bought that box, and I’m very happy they offer it. It’s always nice to try new teas without breaking the bank.
Flavors: Camphor, Dried Fruit, Floral, Spices
