Mother Trees of Da Hong Pao

The mother trees of Da Hong Pao (大红袍) are a legendary and highly revered group of original tea plants located on Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province, China. These ancient trees are considered the source of the authentic Da Hong Pao oolong tea, one of the most famous and valuable teas in the world. Here's a closer look at these legendary mother trees:

The Location and Significance:

The original Da Hong Pao mother trees are found in the Wuyi Mountain (武夷山) area, which is famous for its unique rock tea or yancha (岩茶) due to its mineral-rich soil and specific climate.

There are six original Da Hong Pao mother trees growing on a steep cliff in a protected area of the Wuyi Mountains. These trees are believed to be several hundred years old, and they are the source from which all Da Hong Pao tea varieties are derived.

These trees hold immense cultural and historical value in China. Due to their age, rarity, and the quality of tea they produce, they are considered national treasures.

The Legend Behind the Name:

The name "Da Hong Pao", which means "Big Red Robe", comes from a famous legend. According to the story, during the Ming Dynasty, a scholar who was preparing for imperial exams fell seriously ill while passing through the Wuyi Mountains. Local monks gave him tea made from these special tea trees, and he recovered miraculously.

After the scholar passed the exams and became a high-ranking official, he returned to Wuyi to express his gratitude. The emperor, impressed by the story, sent a red robe to drape over the tea trees as a symbol of honor and protection. Hence, the name "Big Red Robe" was born.

Tea Production from the Mother Trees:

Due to their age and cultural significance, the original mother trees no longer produce tea for commercial consumption. The tea harvested from these trees is extremely rare and only used for special occasions or as state gifts. The last recorded harvest from the mother trees was in 2005, after which harvesting was stopped to preserve them.

Tea made from the leaves of the mother trees is one of the most expensive and sought-after in the world. In auctions, Da Hong Pao tea from the original trees has sold for exorbitant prices, making it some of the rarest tea ever produced.

Modern Da Hong Pao:

Today, most Da Hong Pao tea on the market comes from cultivars, which are plants grown from cuttings or grafts of the original mother trees. This ensures that the genetic lineage of Da Hong Pao continues, though the exact flavor and quality may differ from the tea produced by the ancient trees.

Da Hong Pao cultivars are grown in the Wuyi Mountain region, and even though they are not from the original trees, they still produce excellent quality tea with the distinctive rock flavor (岩韵, yan yun) that Wuyi teas are known for.

Conservation and Protection:

The mother trees are now under strict government protection, and the area around them is considered a national heritage site. Efforts are being made to ensure the preservation of these ancient trees and to study their unique genetics and history.

The environment around the mother trees is carefully maintained to ensure their continued health, with no commercial activities allowed nearby. Visitors can view the trees from a distance but are not allowed to approach or touch them.

Mythical Status and Cultural Impact:

The mother trees of Da Hong Pao have taken on a mythical status in Chinese culture. They represent not only the pinnacle of tea craftsmanship but also the spiritual and historical significance of tea in Chinese society.

The story of Da Hong Pao and its mother trees is a reflection of the deep reverence that China holds for tea, not just as a beverage but as a cultural and historical artifact.

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The mother trees of Da Hong Pao are a symbol of Chinese tea heritage, known for producing one of the world’s most famous and expensive oolong teas. Though they no longer produce tea commercially, their legacy lives on through modern cultivars and the enduring cultural significance of the tea they represent.