Dian Hong Golden Snail Black Tea

Compared to other black teas, the difference in appearance of this one is quite obvious. It is made in Bi Luo Chun’s shaping method, a heavier treatment that results in the curled snail-like shape of the dry leaves. This tea uses one bud with two leaves as the raw material; the first note on its scent is its rich pekoe aroma, which develops into a sweet, ripe fruity aroma when brewed. The liquid is bright and clear, bearing a strong honey aroma with a characteristic note of chocolate to it. The taste is mellow and smooth, and blends excellently with milk, honey, or juice.

	Cup Method		Chinese Gongfu Method
	Teacup: 12oz / 355ml		Gaiwan: 3.8oz / 110ml
	194℉ / 90℃		194℉ / 90℃
	2.5 Teaspoons / 4g Tea		5g Tea
	Brewing time: 5 - 8 mins		7 steeps: 10s, 15s, 25s, 35s, 50s, 70s, 100s

An Shi tea Garden is located in Fengqing County. The temperature here is mild with sufficient sunlight, and these combined with the dense surrounding forest and deciduous grasses results in a deep humus layer, providing a rich natural fertilizer for the growth of tea trees and allowing them to accumulate alkaloids and other important substances.

This black tea is produced in Fengqing, located south of Dianxi Longitudinal Valley. Fengqing is a country in the northwestern region of Lincang, which is one of the four famous pu-erh production areas alongside Xishuangbanna, Pu’er, and Baoshan, and is also one of the original birthplaces of tea worldwide. It is famous as the hometown of Yunnan black tea, and has a long history of planting, producing, and drinking tea.

The Yunnan large-leaf tree is a relatively rare variety in the world, and is best used to make pu-erh tea. Yunnan has a unique advantage in its geographical position, as its rich rainfall and ideal temperature are perfect for large-leaf varieties such as this one. The leaves of these trees contain abundant polyphenols and catechins, as well as amino acids and caffeine.

The best place to grow tea based on natural environment is in Fengqing, Yunnan. It is here that Dian Hong black tea was first produced in the 1930s, with the first batches meeting instant acclaim and export through Hong Kong to England and beyond. Nowadays Dian Hong is among the most respected and known types of Chinese black tea, held in the highest regard in China and often presented by the government to visiting dignitaries.