Da Hong Pao is the king of Wuyi Rock Tea and a premium variety of Oolong Tea, often regarded as a national treasure. Many people claim to enjoy drinking Da Hong Pao, but do you really know how to drink it? Incorrect methods are only for the unrefined.
Simply put, the steps for brewing tea are as follows:
1. Use about half the tea vessel's capacity for leaves.
2. Rinse the teapot and cups with 100°C boiling water, then place the tea leaves into the pot and rinse them once with 100°C boiling water.
3. Pour 100°C boiling water into the pot from a height, steep for 5 seconds, then pour into cups to enjoy.
4. For the second brew, use 100°C boiling water and steep for 8 seconds before enjoying.
5. For the third brew, use 100°C boiling water and steep for 15 seconds before enjoying.
Preparation: For most Oolong teas, a lidded bowl or purple clay teapot is suitable. The preparation tools are the same as for Tie Guan Yin.
Cleaning: This step is crucial for Da Hong Pao. The brewing vessel (lidded bowl or purple clay teapot) must be thoroughly rinsed inside and out and heated well. With careful practice, this can be easily achieved.
Tea Appreciation: Both the brewer and the drinker should carefully observe the tea's appearance, color, and dry aroma. At this stage, the fragrance is not fully expressed, but the following steps will reveal Da Hong Pao's captivating aroma.
Placing Tea: Act quickly when placing the tea to maintain the vessel's temperature.
Rinsing Tea: Da Hong Pao's leaves are not as tightly rolled as Tie Guan Yin, so rinsing can be simpler. Pour water in and immediately pour out the rinse water. It is still not recommended to pour into a fairness cup and then into tasting cups.
Brewing: High pouring is very important when brewing Rock Tea. Pour from a height to allow the leaves to tumble in the lidded bowl. After pouring, steep for about fifteen seconds before pouring the tea (use this time to pour the warming water back into the basin).
Serving and Cup Division: Pour the tea evenly into each scent cup without using a fairness cup. Pour one-third for the first brew, the same for the second, and fill for the third. The tea aroma will fill the room, and the fragrance is utterly intoxicating!
