Dianhong Tea, also known as Yunnan black tea, is a distinguished variety of Chinese black tea. It was created by Han Chinese tea farmers during the Republic of China era. Dianhong Tea is predominantly produced in the southern and southwestern regions of Yunnan Province, specifically in areas such as Lincang, Baoshan, Fengqing, Xishuangbanna, and Dehong. This exceptional tea is crafted using large-leaf tea leaves, resulting in a rich assortment of teas, including whole-leaf tea, broken-leaf tea, leaf tea, and bud tea.
Dianhong Tea is celebrated for its specific characteristics. It exhibits a robust structure, even color, a vibrant and clear red infusion, a prominent golden ring, a fresh and invigorating aroma, a strong and robust flavor with a hint of stimulation, and bright red leaves. Even when complemented with milk, it maintains a distinctive tea flavor. Its color can vary from chestnut to pink to bright ginger yellow. Dianhong Tea is renowned for its distinctive characteristics of being robust, strong, and fresh. To produce Dianhong Tea, high-quality fresh leaves from the large-leaf tea trees in Yunnan are carefully processed through withering, rolling or cutting, fermentation, and drying.
History of Dianhong Tea
The story of Dianhong Tea begins in the autumn of 1937 when two individuals, Feng Shaoqiu and Zheng Hechun, embarked on a journey to Yunnan to explore the tea production and distribution landscape. They discovered the natural conditions in Fengshan, Fengqing County, to be exceptionally conducive for tea cultivation. They began experimenting with black tea production and, after extensive efforts, they succeeded. The tea leaves from this region were robust, and their infusion displayed a bright, vibrant red color. The leaves were stunningly red and emitted a rich, fragrant aroma, making them unparalleled by smaller-leaf tea varieties from other provinces.
During the experimentation phase, transportation was a significant challenge as there were no convenient roadways. Machinery had to be disassembled into parts and transported from Dali to Fengqing by horse caravans, a journey that took around two weeks. In between, there was a five-foot-wide stone road at Jingduo, where traders had to carry their goods across the river on bamboo rafts while the horses swam to the opposite bank.
To ensure the success of their experiment, Feng Shaoqiu and others had to rely on improvised methods, such as wooden rolling barrels, foot-operated drying machines, and bamboo drying baskets. These creative approaches were pivotal in ensuring that the experiment proceeded smoothly.
In 1939, the first batch of Dianhong Tea, consisting of 500 dan (a traditional measure of weight), was successfully produced. Initially, it was packed in bamboo tea baskets and shipped to Hong Kong. Later, it was repackaged in wooden boxes and aluminum cans before being introduced to the market. Thus, Dianhong Tea was born.
Brewing Method of Dianhong Tea
To brew Dianhong Tea properly, here are three essential points to keep in mind:
- Quantity (4-5 grams): Use 4 to 5 grams of tea leaves per session.
- Brew Multiple Times (Water Temperature 80-83°C): Brew the tea multiple times, with each brew lasting only a few seconds. The water temperature should be between 80-83°C. Make sure to heat the water to boiling first and then let it cool slightly; avoid adding cold water or using water that’s not yet boiled.
- Quick Pouring: Pour the tea quickly, taking only 1-3 seconds for the first three brews. The first brew is used to rinse the tea leaves, and from the fourth brew onwards, you can gradually extend the pouring time to 3 seconds, 5 seconds, and 8 seconds. After pouring, avoid covering the tea.
Comparative Brewing
Dianhong Tea offers a variety of flavors depending on the specific grade and raw materials used. To compare the characteristics, you can simultaneously brew three different grades of Dianhong Tea:
- First Brew:
- Grade One: Displays a deep red and vibrant infusion, strong and rich flavor with a balance of bitterness and sweetness, and a pronounced, lasting fragrance.
- Gold-Tipped: Has a bright and red infusion, a robust flavor with a subtle bitterness, a clear and lasting aroma with sweet notes.
- Old Tree: Features a vibrant, deep red infusion, rich, full-bodied flavor with a combination of bitterness and sweetness, and a lasting floral and fruity aroma.
- Second Brew:
- Grade One: Offers a strong, rich flavor with bitterness and sweetness, and a long-lasting aroma.
- Gold-Tipped: Presents a rich and full-bodied flavor, a gentle bitterness, and a long-lasting clear aroma.
- Old Tree: Provides a full-bodied flavor with rich bitterness and floral and fruity notes in the aroma.
- Third Brew:
- Grade One: Delivers a rich and robust flavor with bitterness and sweetness, and a long-lasting aroma.
- Gold-Tipped: Offers a full-bodied flavor with slight bitterness and a long-lasting clear aroma.
- Old Tree: Imparts a full, rich flavor with bitterness and a lingering floral fragrance.
Health Benefits of Dianhong Tea
Dianhong Tea is associated with numerous health benefits, making it more than just a flavorful beverage. Some of the advantages include:
- Diuretic Effects: The combination of caffeine and aromatic compounds in black tea can increase renal blood flow, enhance glomerular filtration rate, dilate renal microvessels, and inhibit the reabsorption of water in renal tubules. As a result, it promotes increased urine output, aiding in the elimination of lactic acid, uric acid (related to gout), excess salt (related to hypertension), and other harmful substances. It can also help alleviate edema caused by heart disease or nephritis.
- Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Effects: The polyphenolic compounds in black tea have anti-inflammatory effects. Experiments have shown that tea catechins can bind with single-cell bacteria, leading to protein coagulation and precipitation, thus inhibiting and eliminating pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, black tea can be beneficial for individuals with bacterial infections or food poisoning, and it is often used topically to treat wounds, bedsores, and athlete’s foot.
- Detoxification: It has been demonstrated that the theophylline in black tea can adsorb heavy metals and alkaloids, precipitating and decomposing them. This is beneficial for modern people who may be exposed to industrial pollution through drinking water and food.
- Refreshment and Fatigue Relief: Medical studies have shown that the caffeine in black tea stimulates the cerebral cortex, excites the central nervous system, promotes alertness, increases concentration, sharpens cognitive response, and enhances memory. It also has an excitatory effect on the vascular system and the heart. This accelerates blood circulation, promoting metabolism and, at the same time, stimulating sweating and diuresis. This dual action helps to expel lactic acid, which causes muscle fatigue, as well as other waste materials from the body, ultimately alleviating fatigue.
- Hydration and Heat Relief: Drinking black tea in the summer can quench thirst and relieve heat. This is because the polyphenols, carbohydrates, amino acids, and pectin in tea undergo a chemical reaction with saliva, promoting a sense of moistness in the mouth and a cooling sensation. Simultaneously, caffeine influences the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus, regulating body temperature and promoting heat dissipation, thus helping to maintain physiological balance.
In addition to these benefits, Dianhong Tea is known for its capacity to prevent dental caries, improve digestion, delay the aging process, lower blood sugar, reduce blood pressure, decrease blood lipid levels, and exhibit anticancer and anti-radiation properties. Caffeine in the tea can enhance physical endurance and help the body prioritize fat burning for energy during exercise while conserving glycogen.
Dianhong Tea is a testament to the rich tea culture of China, and its unique characteristics, combined with the numerous health benefits it offers, make it a remarkable choice for tea enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals. With its vibrant history and distinctive flavor, Dianhong Tea continues to be an embodiment of Yunnan’s dedication to producing exceptional teas.
