Da Hong Pao, produced in Wuyi, Fujian Province, is one of the best oolong tea in China.
It was a long time ago, there was a junior talent walking to the capital to take the imperial examination. But unluckily, he fell ill on the way. An abbot saw him, and took him to his temple. He made a tea for the talent, which in miracle cured his illness.

Later, the talent won the first place in the imperial examination, and was awarded a high official. He went back to Wuyi Mountain to thank the abbot. Seeing him, the abbot took him to Jiu Long Ku, and showed 3 tea trees. “This is what cured your illness last time.” he said, “ Every spring time, monkeys come here wearing red clothes. They will pick up the small buds and make tea from it. The tea can cure any illness in the world.” Amazingly, the talent took a bottle of tea for the emperor.

At that time, the queen ate too much fat things and did not feel well. So the talent took out the tea and let her drink that. The emperor was so surprised to find her healthy again. In great pleasure, he gave a big red robe to talent, told him to bestow it to the tea tree.

Following the order, the talent covered the tea with this robe. But strangely, when he took out the robe, he found the leaves were shining with red light. People say it must be reddened by the red robe.

So from then on, the tea made from these trees were given the name “Da Hong Pao”, namely, “the Big Red Robe”.

Jane speaking:

I once asked the manager of my office which is the most expensive tea in China. The answer is:

It depends, but relatively speaking, Da Hong Pao is the most expensive. Because the production quatity of this tea is so low, even you have money, you may not have the luck to buy it.

But as I see, money should be spent on what you like. This price, like the pu'er tea, comes from its demand but not quality. Buy what you like, but not what the society pursue.

Sadly, now, drinking tea seems a fashion. People buy it as a gift, to lose weight, or show they are culturised, but not because they like it.

Whatever, drinking is becoming more and more popular, this is at least a good news.