Authentic Dian Hong Tea is made from large-leaf tea grown at high altitudes in Fengqing, Yunnan. As it is produced in Yunnan, whose abbreviation is “Dian,” this tea is named Dian Hong and is considered a premium among black teas. The history of Dian Hong tea is not long; it was created during the Republican era by Han Chinese who employed migrant workers. It was once given as a “national gift” to members of the British royal family who enjoyed Black Tea, making it highly favored and promoted within the royal circles at that time.

The reason why Dian Hong tea is so popular largely comes down to its production process, with fermentation being the most distinctive step. The fermentation process involves placing rolled tea leaves directly into a special wooden box and covering them with clean white gauze to ferment using their own moisture. This fermentation must be completed in one go. Even the slightest disturbance of the leaves during fermentation can affect the temperature and result in incomplete fermentation, leading to an acidic taste in the dried tea that is difficult to accept. Therefore, fermentation is a crucial step in forming the unique quality of Dian Hong tea.

Key Points for Purchasing Dian Hong Tea

Since its introduction, Dian Hong tea has been renowned for its “beautiful appearance, vibrant color, and high fragrance.” However, the quality of Dian Hong tea available on the market varies widely, so when purchasing Dian Hong tea, pay attention to the following points.

1. **Examine the shape:** Tight and fine strands that are evenly sized indicate good quality. Conversely, loose and uneven strands suggest lower quality.

2. **Observe the color:** A lustrous dark brown color indicates good quality. Conversely, inconsistent colors or dull, lifeless shades suggest lower quality.

3. **Smell the aroma:** A rich and fragrant aroma indicates good quality. Conversely, an impure aroma with grassy notes suggests lower quality, while a low and muffled aroma indicates poor-quality tea.

4. **Inspect the liquor color:** A bright red color with a golden ring around the rim of the Cup indicates superior quality. Absence of the golden ring suggests slightly lower quality, while a dark and murky color indicates poor-quality tea.

5. **Taste the flavor:** A full-bodied and smooth flavor indicates superior quality. Conversely, a bitter and astringent taste suggests lower quality, while a coarse and bland taste indicates poor-quality tea.

6. **Examine the infused leaves:** Bright infused leaves indicate good quality. Conversely, bluish-green infused leaves suggest lower quality, while deep and dark infused leaves with many dark streaks indicate poor-quality tea.

In summary, high-quality Dian Hong tea should have tight and fine strands, be evenly sized, have a lustrous dark brown color, possess a rich aroma, produce a bright red liquor with a golden ring, have a full-bodied and sweet taste, and display bright infused leaves after brewing. When purchasing Dian Hong tea, use these six key points to avoid buying inferior or poor-quality tea.