The History of Dian Hong Balck Tea

Dian Hong tea, primarily produced in Yunnan province, is renowned for its vibrant red color, rich aroma, and deep flavor. Its history can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty, and after centuries of development, it has become one of the major varieties in the global tea market. The origin and development history of Dian Hong tea are as follows.

Originally referred to as "Yunnan Black Tea" or "Dian Hong," it was officially named "Dian Hong" in the 1980s to avoid confusion with other black tea varieties.

This tea, based on the production of Dian Hong, undergoes an additional step of hand-rolling into ball shapes, sometimes referred to as "rust balls" or "dragon pearls," gaining popularity in China.

Rose

Yunnan

Yunnan Province is located in the southwestern part of China and is the country's most diverse province in terms of geography and ethnicity. The province covers a large area of about 394,000 square kilometers and is known for its stunning natural scenery, including mountains, plateaus, valleys, and lakes. Yunnan Province is one of the main tea-producing regions in China, with a long history of tea cultivation. The province has a favorable climate, fertile soil, and diverse geography, making it ideal for the growth of a variety of tea plants.  Dianhong, a famous historical tea, was created in 1939 and produced in southwest Yunnan. It is a rising star of Chinese Gongfu black tea. Dianhong is short for Yunnan black tea, mainly produced in Fengqing, Yunxian, Baoshan, Xishuangbanna, Pu-erh, etc.

Yunnan

Then the new batch of black tea was transported to Hong Kong within bamboo tea cages, and then put on the market in wooden cases and aluminum cans. Surprisingly, it was warmly welcomed by customers in Hong Kong. It has proved to be a successful tea and eventually named with its place of origin (Dian Hong) by Mr. Feng.

In order to further expand the production of Yunnan black tea.In early 1939, Feng Shaoqiu was ordered to build Fengqing Tea Factory (then called Shunning Experimental Tea Factory). At the same time, a large number of technical personnel from Zhejiang, Anhui, Hunan, Jiangxi and other provinces were called to Yunnan to engage in tea production in Yunnan.

Some local tea farmers often take part in the company's tea training courses, which indirectly provides human resources for yunnan black tea to expand reproduction.

In 1940, yunnan black tea changed its name to "Dianhong", and the name "Dianhong" has been used ever since.At present, yunnan black tea production areas are mainly concentrated in more than 20 counties in six prefectures along the Lancang River in Yunnan, namely Lincang, Baoshan, Simao, Xishuangbanna, Dehong and Honghe.

Why Is This Black Tea Shaped Like a Small Sphere?

The adoption of the dragon pearl shape is not just for the sake of convenience in brewing and carrying; the limited production of this tea type, coupled with its higher cost and the necessity of manual craftsmanship, distinguishes it from mass-produced molded teas like cakes or bricks. Dragon pearls usually use high-quality tea leaves, and the expertise of experienced individuals in their production gives them more aging and tasting value compared to machine-pressed teas.

Growing Environment

Fengqing County is the hometown of Dian Hong tea in the world, with a long history of tea cultivation and processing. The famous "Dian Hong" tea originated here, including the Jinxiu Tea King, a cultivated ancient tea tree with over 3,200 years of history.

Fengqing County is located in the southwest of Yunnan Province, bordered by Changning County of Baoshan City and Weishan County of Dali Prefecture to the north, Nanjian County of Dali Prefecture and Yun County of Lincang City to the east, and Yun County and Yongde County to the south, adjacent to Changning County to the west. The maximum east-west span of the county is 59 kilometers, and the maximum north-south span is 91 kilometers, with a total land area of 3323.78 square kilometers.

Fengqing County has rugged terrain, with high mountains and steep landforms, mainly composed of the Hengduan Mountains at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan and the continued mountain ranges of northwest Yunnan. The Three Rivers Confluence, Jinsha River, Lancang River, and the peaks of Guanyin Mountain, Luoshan Mountain, and Jieshan Mountain in the northwest Yunnan mountain range intersect, forming numerous valleys and ridges. These rivers create fertile valleys and moist soils, providing excellent water sources for agriculture.

The Terrain Of Fengqing County

It is in a subtropical monsoon climate zone with a humid climate and distinct seasons. The summers are moderately warm, and winters are not extremely cold. Due to the significant differences in elevation, the temperature and precipitation distribution varies. The fertile soil in the river valleys and foothills, rich in organic matter, is conducive to the growth of tea trees. The diversity in soil texture at different altitudes contributes to the varied quality of black tea.

Characteristics

The fresh leaves of Fengqing Dian Hong are harvested from large-leaf tea varieties in Fengqing, with wide and thick leaves containing abundant substances. Rich in pectin, tea polyphenols, and catechins, the unique natural conditions give birth to high-quality tea leaves. The ball-shaped Fengqing Dian Hong tea also possesses the distinct taste and aroma of black tea, along with the fragrance of roses. It has a certain mellow taste, a long-lasting and sweet aftertaste, leaving a memorable impression.

A Tea Garden In Fengqing, Yunnan

Conclusion

Moreover, Fengqing Dragon Pearl Rose Black Tea retains the unique taste and flavor of black tea. It has a certain mellow taste, a long-lasting and sweet aftertaste, leaving a memorable impression. Additionally, the lingering aroma of the tea lasts, creating an immersive experience.

Whether as a daily beverage or for travel, Fengqing Dragon Pearl Rose Black Tea is an irresistible choice. With its prominent floral aroma, unique taste, and convenient portability, it brings a different kind of surprise and enjoyment, making it suitable for personal enjoyment or as a thoughtful gift.