According to botany, I am a shrub-type plant with a semi-spreading canopy that can grow up to about two meters tall at maximum. My main trunk is relatively distinct, grayish in color, but with many dense branches. Leaves grow upward or diagonally on the branches. Sometimes, green moss parasitizes on me, and we coexist interdependently.

My Leaves

My leaf length is generally six to seven centimeters, occasionally reaching about ten centimeters. However, this probability is very small. My leaves aren't too wide either, about three to four centimeters. Therefore, among Wuyi Rock Teas, my size is moderate in all aspects, without anything particularly special.

My Leaves

My leaves are roughly elliptical. The leaf tip is blunt and round, slightly drooping. The leaf edges have dense and sharp serrations, generally about 20-25 pairs. Viewed under sunlight, my leaves appear glossy dark green, with thick leaf flesh slightly raised. There are about seven to eight pairs of veins on this small leaf. If plucked and folded by hand, I would almost break because my fresh leaves are quite brittle.

My Flowers

I typically bloom in late November each year, peaking from late December to early January. The winter in Wuyi Mountain becomes more lively and warm because of my white petals. Speaking of my tea flowers, there's nothing particularly special either. The entire flower is relatively large among Wuyi Rock Teas, about three centimeters in diameter, with six petals and five sepals. The stamens are somewhat sparse but long and uneven in height. Genetically, I have two sets of chromosomes, making me a higher plant. When flowers fall, they form seeds - my fruits are medium-sized, no different from other tea fruits.

My Appearance

However, what makes me Da Hong Pao is that my appearance does differ somewhat from other tea leaves. Perhaps this slight difference determines my nobility. Of course, this question is complex. It should be said that my tender buds are relatively plump and covered with fine hairs. Under morning light, they appear dark green, but upon closer inspection, a hint of purple can be seen. Purple is a noble color, symbolizing strength and grandeur. Every spring, when I'm born with this touch of purple, my fate of being highly sought after is sealed.

By early summer, that purple has expanded on my leaves into red tips. Experienced tea masters know then that the season to harvest me has arrived. If calculated according to general patterns, that period should be around May 10th each year.

My Production Process

My production process is largely similar to other Wuyi Rock Teas. In principle, harvesting begins when 3-4 middle-opened leaves are present, withering is适度 until the top two leaves lose their gloss, and shaking achieves three parts red, seven parts green. It's said that during processing, neither too light nor too heavy is appropriate. When fragrance appears and red edges are moderate, fixation can begin. Both roasting and full-fire baking should maintain the original flavor. Of course, only the most experienced masters can grasp these standards perfectly; for others, it's something that can be comprehended but not explained.