This week we will continue our Tea Time with another variety of Oolong tea: Da Hong Pao. Also known as “Big red robe”, is a very popular tea in China, which is usually served for honored guests. In fact, its history and name are associated with an ancient Chinese emperor who “marked” at that time the original bushes with a red robe to enjoy this tea exclusively.
Well, curiosities aside, opening the can it comes a dense aroma. This is a more black than green Oolong tea. Leaf is dark brown and rolled, without the “small balls” shape as in the tea that we enjoyed last week.
The resulting infusion of tea leaves a rather dark color, and a very nice and wide taste. Not a floral flavor, nor earthen or smoked. In fact it could remind nuts (just as a reference). It is softer than it looks when yoo see the liquid, and the aftertaste is lingering in the mouth, which is a sign of a good tea.
Da Hong Pao Oolong is highly recommended for those who usually take green tea and are curious about its “dark side”, just to try other more dense flavors, without arriving at what would be the black tea as it is.
