Oolong tea is unique since it is the only tea known to boast such a varied and exciting history and, at the same time, offer its drinkers such a vast selection of tastes. Two oolong tea types are famous: Tieguanyin and Da Hong Pao. These teas are not only recognized based on their unique and pleasant taste and smell but also their historical background and importance to different cultures.
This article will discuss the two most famous oolong teas in Wu Yi Mountain, the fresh and the ripe, their background, taste, health advantages and disadvantages, and how to prepare them.
Historical Background
Tieguanyin:
Tieguanyin, better known as ”Iron Goddess of Mercy,” is tea produced in Anxi County in Fujian Province, China. The name of the tea complied with the Buddhist deity Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. There is a story about a poor farmer who found an abandoned temple with an iron fossil of Guanyin there.
He decided to clean and restore the temple, and in gratitude, Guanyin appeared to him in a dream, guiding him to a hidden treasure: a tea tree. From this plant, a very high-quality tea was obtained; hence, the name of the tea was Tieguanyin.
Da Hong Pao:
Da Hong Pao, the Big Red Robe tea, comes from the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian province in China. The name tea originates from a tale that combines an emperor, his sick mother, and the tea the mother takes to recover her health. When the emperor tasted the tea and drank it, he, in gratitude, decreed that red robes be placed over the tea bushes.
The tea-producing bushes of Da Hong Pao are over three hundred years old and are cherished as China’s pride, as tea prepared from these bushes is widely sold at exorbitantly high prices.
Flavor Profiles
Tieguanyin
Tieguanyin is popular for its lightness, floral taste, sweetness, and aroma. Its subtle scent, reminiscent of an orchid, leaves a pleasant, cooling sensation in the mouth. The Chinese tea is often prepared with minimal oxidation to retain its green color and floral taste.
Unlike other tea varieties, Tieguanyin yields a very pale golden cup that is nectar-like in texture and highly aromatic.
Da Hong Pao
On the other hand, Da Hong Pao is highly recognized for its enticing, deep, and complicated taste. It is ready to drink and has a rich roasted flavor with chocolate, caramel, and stone fruit notes.
The tea is normally mainly fermented and baked, more so than the green tea category, which makes it darker in tone and denser in the mouth. Da Hong Pao has a rich and warm bouquet, slight notes of smoke, and a long and subtle aftertaste.
Health Benefits
Tieguanyin and Da Hong Pao have many other uses due to their various contents.
Tieguanyin:
- Antioxidants
Tieguanyin is a highly polyphenol-rich tea that aids in the fight against free radicals and oxidative stress.
- Weight Management
It is well known that this sort of tea can provoke an increased metabolic rate, resulting in weight loss.
- Heart Health
Moderate intake may even have the effect of reducing cholesterol levels and improving heart health.
- Mental Clarity
Tieguanyin contains theanine, an amino acid that helps to relax tension and exercise a sharpening effect on the brain.
Da Hong Pao:
- Digestive Health
Da Hong Pao is roasted, which is why it is sometimes good for digestion after several meals.
- Stress Relief
The rich taste and smell of the tea can help decrease stress and anxiety in certain combinations.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties
Da Hong Pao contains substances that have anti-inflammatory effects and are good for the body’s overall health.
- Bone Health
Several types of research indicate that the habit of taking oolong tea, including Da Hong Pao will increase bone density and strength in the bones.
Conclusion
Tieguanyin and Da Hong Pao are the two best oolong tea varieties with their own story, characteristic taste, and cultural background. Tieguanyin has a light floral note and crisp taste that, in turn, is refreshing when it comes to taste buds and aroma when out of context with Da Hong Pao; the latter is roasted and complex.
That is why both teas have numerous health benefits and excite the palate with a multilayered drinking experience. So, depending on your choice of tea, opt for a light and floral Tieguanyin or a rich and multilayered Da Hong Pao; this is still an exciting road that each tea lover should take at least once.
