Comments on: The History of Da Hung Pao (or, The Emperor has new tea!)

By: Ken Kushner

Ken Kushner — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:11:30 +0000

Wow, if this isn’t authentic Da Hung Pao, I can’t wait to try to authentic stuff. I’m very much looking forward to it. I’ll keep in touch.

By: teaguy

teaguy — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:17:33 +0000

Hi Ken,

Thanks for visiting my site! You’re right about the Dong Tings getting lighter. When High Mountain Tea became popular in the 80s, other oolong growers started reducing their oxidization levels and roastings to stay competitive. It’s a bit unfortunate, as I think the medium roast oolongs in Taiwan are better teas to drink.

Da Hung Pao is a tricky tea to discuss, because it’s almost certain what you’ve tried isn’t true Da Hung Pao. The real stuff is very rare, produced in small quantities, and most is not released to the tea markets – it’s usually traded among very lucky experts who have good sources. Most commercial stuff is grown at lower altitudes in the same area, and tries to imitate the flavor of the real stuff, but isn’t quite as good.

When you visit Taiwan, we’ll do some comparisons and see what you think!

By: Ken Kushner

Ken Kushner — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:22:40 +0000

Glenn,
I read this posting earlier but it did not click because I had not tried Da Hung Pao. However, I just got hold of some and had an interesting experience. In an earlier, back channel, e-mail I wrote about my first experience with Taiwanese tea in 1981. The taste of Dong Ting simply amazed me and I was looking for it ever since. However, all the Dong Ting’s I have had since were much lighter in flavor than the one I had years ago. The taste of the Da Hung Pao was just as I remember the Dung Ting. I have read that Taiwanese oolongs have become lighter over the years and I wonder if that is the reason. Or, maybe its just my memory. At any rate, I am very much looking forward to returning to Taiwan and sampling contemporary Dung Ting. Thanks for the great site.

By: teaguy

teaguy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:36:08 +0000

Hi Jill, thanks for taking a look! I would really like to visit you guys in Taitung, and maybe do some reports on your tea farm for my blog! I was very happy to meet your parents the other day. Let me (or A-Liang) know when you’re coming up again.

By: jill

jill — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:11:18 +0000

We live in Taitung.My father and my mother had see you last week.They introduce me to browse your website.It interesting me.I surprised at your courage and passision.If you are free,welcome to Taitung.

By: teaguy

teaguy — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:16:11 +0000

Of course they are! I knew that! Just testing you!!

I really appreciate you pointing out such a major gaffe. I proofread all my articles several times, but just glazed right over that. Looking back at it now, I guess I’ve been following the earthquake coverage too much and was typing on autopilot.

Also, thanks for visiting my site. I hope you find the information here useful (and more accurate than this post!), and that I’ll hear from you again sometime.

By: Lioenl

Lioenl — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:27:10 +0000

While traveling through the Wu Yi mountains of Szchuan province, he met a local farmer revered for his knowledge of plants.
Wu Yi mountains lie in Fujian procince, not Sichuan,man lol!