Dahongpao: The Highest Quality Tea with Health Benefits

Dahongpao

Introduction to Dahongpao:

Dahongpao: Specifically refers to Dahongpao tea in the category of tea, which is the highest quality tea in Wuyi Rock Tea. The tea production in Wuyi has a long history, with tea cultivation dating back to the Tang Dynasty. It was listed as a royal tribute in the Song Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, an imperial tea garden was established in the vicinity of Jiuzhuxi in Wuyi Mountain specifically for the production of tribute tea. In the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, Wuyi Mountain cultivated various tea trees, including Dahongpao, Tieluohan, Baijiguan, and Shuijingu, known as the "Four Famous Wuyi Teas". Its main functions include improving eyesight and mental clarity, weight management, anti-aging, mental alertness, digestion, diuresis and detoxification, phlegm reduction and asthma relief, thirst quenching and heat relief, lowering blood lipids, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Value and Efficacy:

Dahongpao contains high levels of catechins, polysaccharides, and theanine, which have beneficial effects such as anti-cancer, lowering blood lipids, and improving memory and blood pressure. Catechins, especially EGCG, have anti-cancer properties. The content of polysaccharides in Dahongpao is 3.1 times that of black tea and 1.7 times that of green tea, which can enhance the body's immune system and reduce blood lipids. Theanine, an amino acid unique to tea, accounts for 1.1% of the content in Dahongpao, which can promote blood circulation in the brain, enhance memory, and lower blood pressure.

In addition, Dahongpao also has other functions such as improving eyesight and mental clarity, weight management, anti-aging, mental alertness, digestion, diuresis and detoxification, phlegm reduction and asthma relief, thirst quenching and heat relief, radiation protection, anti-cancer, anti-aging, and cholesterol reduction.

Functions:

1. Stimulant: The caffeine in tea can stimulate the central nervous system, helping to invigorate the mind, eliminate fatigue, and improve work efficiency.

2. Diuretic: The caffeine and theophylline in tea have diuretic effects and can be used to treat edema and water retention. The detoxifying and diuretic effects of red tea syrup can be used to treat acute icteric hepatitis.

3. Cardiotonic and antispasmodic: Caffeine has cardiotonic, antispasmodic, and smooth muscle relaxation effects. It can relieve bronchospasm, promote blood circulation, and serve as a good adjuvant for the treatment of bronchial asthma, cough, and phlegm, as well as myocardial infarction.

4. Inhibition of arteriosclerosis: The tea polyphenols and vitamin C in tea have the ability to promote blood circulation and prevent arteriosclerosis. Therefore, people who regularly drink tea have a lower incidence of hypertension and coronary heart disease.

5. Antibacterial and antimicrobial effects: The tea polyphenols and tannic acid in tea act on bacteria, coagulate bacterial proteins, and kill bacteria. They can be used to treat intestinal diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and enteritis. Concentrated tea can also be used to wash wounds with pus to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Tea can also be used to treat oral inflammation, ulcers, sore throat, and has certain therapeutic effects.

6. Weight management: The various compounds in tea, such as caffeine, inositol, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and aromatic substances, can regulate fat metabolism. Oolong tea in particular has a good effect on protein and fat decomposition. Tea polyphenols and vitamin C can reduce cholesterol and blood lipids, so drinking tea can help with weight management.

7. Dental and eye care: Tea contains fluoride, which has a strong affinity with the calcium in teeth and forms a less soluble "fluorophosphate" that protects teeth and enhances their resistance to acid and tooth decay. The components of tea, such as vitamin C, can reduce the opacity of the crystalline lens, so drinking tea regularly has a positive effect on reducing eye diseases and maintaining eye health.

8. Inhibition of cancer cells: It has been reported that flavonoids in tea have varying degrees of in vitro anti-cancer effects, with strong effects from rutin, anthocyanin, and catechins.

9. Helps lower blood lipids and aids digestion. Caffeine in tea can increase the secretion of gastric juice, helping with digestion and enhancing the ability to break down fats. The principle of "eating for a long time makes you thin" lies here.

10. Helps protect teeth and improve eyesight. Tea contains a high amount of fluoride, which is beneficial for preventing tooth decay and protecting teeth. The components of tea, such as vitamin C, can reduce the opacity of the crystalline lens, so drinking tea regularly has a positive effect on reducing eye diseases and maintaining eye health.

Commercial Value:

1. High-end tea

Throughout history, Wuyi tea has been the tribute tea of emperors. It has won the National Oolong Tea Gold Award for many consecutive years and the first China International Tea Expo Gold Award. The production process of Dahongpao was officially included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list announced by the State Council and the Ministry of Culture. The production technique of Dahongpao is the only manual tea production technique, and Dahongpao is known as the "national treasure".[3]

2. Ecological tea

The superior natural conditions of Wuyi Mountain, such as soil, climate, and humidity, combined with the recognized production techniques listed as "intangible cultural heritage," make the growth of Dahongpao extraordinary. It has unique characteristics, rich aroma, pleasant aftertaste, and evident "rock rhyme." The tea gardens are managed according to national organic standards.

3. Brand tea

The brand status of Dahongpao is determined by its historical accumulation, cultural heritage, and excellent quality. With the introduction of tourism routes to Wuyi Mountain in recent years, most visitors to Wuyi Mountain have seen the Dahongpao tea trees in Jiulongke, heard about the magical legends of Dahongpao, and tasted the well-known brand Fulingmen Dahongpao. The reputation of Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao has spread far and wide.

4. Healthy tea

Wuyi Rock Tea has long been regarded as the best beverage for health and wellness. According to legend, Shennong used it to detoxify 72 poisons, and it gained its name due to its ability to treat difficult diseases such as the county magistrate's illness and imperial examinations. Scientific research has shown that Wuyi Rock Tea is rich in trace elements such as potassium, zinc, and selenium. It can also extract compounds such as oxalic acid, tannic acid, and xiepi yellow, which are greatly beneficial to the human body.

5. Rare tea

At the 7th China Wuyi Mountain Dahongpao Cultural Festival and "Dahongpao" Premium Auction held in the world's double heritage site Wuyi Mountain, 20 grams of "Dahongpao" tea was sold for an astonishing price of 208,000 yuan.