Yunnan black tea, also known as Dianhong, belongs to the category of black teas. It was created by Han Chinese tea farmers during the Republic of China period. It is produced in the southern and southwestern regions of Yunnan Province, including Lincang, Baoshan, Fengqing, Xishuangbanna, and Dehong. It is made by blending large-leaf broken tea varieties, and the finished products are categorized into four types: leaf tea, broken tea, flake tea, and dust tea, with a total of 11 distinct grades. Each has specific shape specifications, with a sturdy body and even color. After brewing, the tea liquor is bright red, with prominent golden rings, a fresh and pleasant aroma, strong and robust taste, and stimulating qualities. The brewed leaves are uniformly red and bright. Even when milk is added, the strong tea flavor remains, presenting bright brown, pink, or ginger-yellow hues. Its characteristics are strength, richness, and freshness. The production process uses fresh leaves from high-quality large-leaf Yunnan tea plants, which undergo withering, rolling or cutting, fermentation, and roasting to produce the finished tea.
Classification of Dianhong
Types1.
Mengku Large-Leaf VarietyOriginating from Mengku Town, Shuangjiang County, Yunnan Province, it was recognized as a national-level fine variety by the National Tea Tree Variety Approval Committee in 1985. Mengku is backed by Mengku Snow Mountain, which has excellent large-leaf tea resources, known as the Mengku Large-Leaf Variety Gene Bank. Black tea made from the Mengku large-leaf variety has strong bud growth, high tenderness retention, high yield, and spring tea with one bud and two leaves containing 3.1% amino acids, 33.67% tea polyphenols, 18.22% total catechins, and 4.06% caffeine. The black tea produced has a pronounced aroma, strong and fresh taste, and a bright red liquor!2. Menghai Large-Leaf VarietyOriginating from Nannuo Mountain, Menghai County, Yunnan Province, it was recognized as a national-level fine variety by the National Tea Tree Variety Approval Committee in 1985. The Menghai tea region is a high-quality raw material area for Pu’er tea and also a source for black tea. Relying on the ancient tree resources of the six new major tea mountains—Bulang Mountain, Nannuo Mountain, Bada, Hekai, Mengsong, and Nanqiao—the tea is not only rich in quality but also has a strong aroma and refreshing taste.3. Fengqing Large-Leaf VarietyOriginating from Fengqing County, Yunnan Province, which is known for the finest black tea resources and is called the capital of Dianhong. Fengqing was the first to produce Dianhong from Yunnan large-leaf tea. Famous areas include Xiangzhuqing, Lushi, and Xiaowan Town, with the Jinxiu tea variety from Xiaowan Town being the most renowned. Fengqing black tea has a large output and excellent quality, known for its strong and lasting aroma and fresh and robust taste.4. Tuantian Large-Leaf VarietyProduced in Tuantian, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, it is also a large-leaf variety. The black tea made from this variety is full-bodied and brisk in flavor.5. Bamboo Leaf Qing TeaProduced in Mengga Sanjiaoyan, Luxi County, Yunnan Province, it is scarce and not widely distributed. Its tea plants are suitable for making both black and Pu’er teas. The black tea made from it has a clear and high aroma and a strong, fresh taste.6. Winter Melon Forest TeaProduced in Yun County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, the black tea from this variety has tightly rolled leaves, prominent golden tips, a pleasant and fresh taste, and a rich, lingering aroma.7. Dasi Bush TeaProduced in Fengqing County, Yunnan Province, it is similar to the Fengqing large-leaf variety.8. Nanjian Wuliang Large-Leaf VarietyProduced in Nanjian County, Dali, Yunnan Province, it belongs to the Yunnan large-leaf variety and is suitable for making black tea.9. QingfengOrigin and distribution: Propagated from the Mengku large-leaf variety introduced from Qingfeng Tea Farm, Mouding County, by the Chasong Station in Chuxiong City, Yunnan Province. It is mainly promoted and cultivated in tea-producing counties throughout Chuxiong Prefecture.
The benefits of Dianhong tea
Dianhong tea is a fully fermented black tea with a warm property. It contains a large amount of caffeine, which can help eliminate fatigue and refresh the mind for people who easily feel tired.
Dianhong tea contains theaflavins, proteins, and other components. After drinking it, a protective film forms in the stomach, which helps nourish and protect the stomach. For people with stomach discomfort or gastric ulcers, regular consumption can have a certain alleviating effect.
The benefits of Dianhong tea are well known. Its three important functions are diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, and detoxifying effects. The diuretic function is particularly important for the general public, especially for the elderly, as kidney load increases with age, and the diuretic function addresses many of their needs. The antibacterial function is especially beneficial for young people as it can reduce the risk of disease, and the detoxification function plays a role in maintaining health.
Drinking Dianhong tea in the summer can quench thirst and relieve heat because polyphenols, sugars, amino acids, pectin, and other components in the tea react chemically with saliva, stimulating saliva secretion, which makes the mouth feel refreshed and produces a cooling sensation. Meanwhile, caffeine regulates the hypothalamic temperature center, helping to adjust body temperature, and stimulates the kidneys to facilitate the excretion of heat and waste, maintaining the body’s physiological balance.
Experiments conducted by Osaka City University in Japan indicate that one hour after drinking Dianhong tea, blood flow velocity in the heart’s vessels improves, confirming that Dianhong tea has a strong preventive effect against myocardial infarction. According to an American magazine, Dianhong tea has stronger anti-aging effects compared to garlic, broccoli, and carrots. In terms of health care, Dianhong tea helps digestion, stimulates appetite, acts as a diuretic, reduces edema, and strengthens heart muscle function.
The benefits of drinking Dianhong tea in winter
1. Anti-AgingThe rich antioxidants in Dianhong tea can eliminate free radicals in the body. It helps remove free radicals, resists aging, and can achieve effects of beauty and skincare.2. Protecting the Stomach and IntestinesPeople with weak digestive systems should avoid cold-natured teas, as the polyphenols in tea can irritate the stomach. Dianhong tea, being fully fermented, has a mild nature that does not harm the stomach and also provides good protection for the digestive system, which is very helpful in improving gastric ulcers.3. Relieving FatigueThe caffeine in tea can refresh the mind and relieve fatigue. It stimulates the central nervous system in the brain, providing ample energy and a sense of alertness. For laborers and office workers, drinking Dianhong tea is very suitable.4. Anti-Inflammatory and AntibacterialThe catechins in Dianhong tea can merge with unicellular bacteria to cause protein coagulation and precipitation, better inhibiting and eliminating pathogens. Additionally, the polyphenolic compounds in Dianhong tea have a significant anti-inflammatory effect.5. Strengthening BonesPeople who frequently drink black tea tend to have stronger bones. The polyphenolic compounds in black tea can inhibit substances that damage the bones, which is especially beneficial for middle-aged and elderly individuals, helping to maintain bone health.6. Relaxing Blood VesselsFor most people, drinking Dianhong tea during autumn and winter can help relax blood vessels, with even better effects in winter. It is suitable for people of all ages and both genders.
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