Classic Big Red Robe

Tea type
Oolong Tea
Ingredients
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Edit tea info Last updated by Plunkybug
Average preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 16 oz / 473 ml

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From Silk Road

classic big red robe

Wuyi Rock Oolong Tea | Da Hong Pao

da hong pao cultivar – Wuyi Mountain Nature Preserve, China

Teamaker: Chen

Da Hong Pao is one of China’s most celebrated teas, and translates as “Big Red Robe”. It is the penultimate version of a famous style of Chinese oolong manufacture known as Wuyi Yan Cha, or Wuyi Rock teas. True Da Hong Pao (which is the type that we offer), is made with heritage varietal tea bushes from a special preserve area in the Wuyi Mountain range, in Northern Fujian. Wuyi is famous for being the original home of all oolong (or “wulong”) teas.

The story behind Da Hong Pao is that a Ming Dynasty Emperor’s mother was cured of an illness by drinking this tea, and the Emperor sent majestic red robes to clothe, and honour the bushes from which the tea was made – hence the name, “Big Red Robe”. It is believed that three of these original tea bushes which date back to the Sung Dynasty and grow from a rock on Mt. Wuyi are still in existence, and these bushes are protected and venerated.

In order to be authentic, Da Hong Pao must be grown in Wu Yi Shan – the original place of origin, and now a nature preserve, and UNESCO World Heritage site. It is protected because of its unique biological diversity as well as its importance as an ancient cultural site. There is a great deal of “knock-off” Da Hong Pao that is sold, but grown elsewhere. Our Da Hong Pao is certified as a true one, grown in Wu Yi Shan.

Tea producers in Wu Yi Shan developed the methods for making Wulong tea around 1650. Tea connoisseurs still consider these techniques to be among the best production methods for oolong teas.

Da Hong Pao is one of Chinese most highly prized and expensive teas, and is served to honoured guests.

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8 Tasting Notes

80
15049 tasting notes

sample sipdown (146) on this one even though omgsrsly sent me enough for at least another cup! the reason? I’m sending this along to terri to try as well since she appreciates a good oolong much more than i do. I can say, that i i quite like this one, though as with most oolongs, i’d be hard pressed to keep it in regular rotation in my cupboard. This one has a bit of a sweet note to it along with the roasty oolong taste that i prefer a bit more than the previous teavivre oolong i had today. It was nice to be able to drink them in close timing :) thanks omgsrsly!

Indigobloom

Woaw oolong alert! :P

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2291 tasting notes

I decided to try another Big Red Robe to compare to Verdant’s Anxi Fo Shou. Wow. Such a difference. The 5 minute steep was amazing. 1 tsp in 2 cups of water. Light, toasty, roasty black tea of deliciousness. Yes! My BFF likes the 7 minute steep better, which is similar to Verdant’s 2 minute steep. So I’m getting this one and she can have the other. Perfect.

Chizakura

Ah there you go, perfect. :D

I’ve never heard of Silk Road Teas before. Do they tend to be pretty good in general?

OMGsrsly

Oh, I really like them. Their teas were basically my introduction to loose tea. I really like Jewel of India, London Fog, Golden Phoenix (Puerh, not dirty tasting at all), Sublime, Sour Cherry, Royal Abkhazi… Umm. Oh, Philosopher’s Brew, Hojicha, Lapsang Souching (if you like them). Heh.

Golden Phoenix is my favourite as I can just leave the leaves in my mug and add water to it all day long.

Plunkybug

I almost got some of this, but ended up with only the mandarin white pu erh. I might go back and get some at a later date.

OMGsrsly

Oh! I would have given you some if we had both realized. I splashed out for the 40 cup…

Plunkybug

I think I was also supposed to try a little of something CrowKetlte got too. I think we got all wrapped up in giving swaps…it was a bit like Christmas. :P I might get a cup to go sometime though.

Crowkettle

Oh, I totally forgot about that! I picked up a tiny sample of this too- it was expensive.

OMGsrsly

Whoops! Yeah, that was fun, if a bit chaotic. :)

Plunkybug

Yep yep!

Plunkybug

Yeah, I knew I was getting some DAVIDs refills (and I was toying with getting one of those new mugs too) so I was intentionally conservative at Silk Road, but I will go back and get some stuff at some point.

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84
761 tasting notes

Sipdown! And a yummy one too. It’s so calming and comforting, for a straight tea. I did sweeten with raw cane sugar. I’m still sick, but I think my buds are trying to come back.

I opted for this one more for the sipdown aspect…I wasn’t expecting to taste much, but I admit I’m surprised at how much taste I am getting.

Yum! This mug is almost gone already. :)

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3294 tasting notes

Sipdown no 93, from Sil, of course.
A roasty rich wuyi oolong.
We’re watching “this is the end”. It’s really stupid, but then, I knew it would be.

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