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Historical Background
The "Zhongcha" trademark was registered at the end of 1951 and is a tea brand with significant influence in the tea industry. The design of the logo features the character "茶" (tea) surrounded by "中" (middle, signifying China), symbolizing "Chinese tea being sold in all directions."
The "Dahongyin" (Big Red Mark) was one of the earliest products to use the Zhongcha brand, marking the beginning of the era of branded puerh tea, with its materials and craftsmanship representing the highest standards of the time. The Dahongyin puerh round tea is considered a superior product among modern puerh teas, a classic that has stood the test of time.
Tea Product Introduction
In 2006, Yunnan Zhongcha recreated the legacy product with the Dahongyin 8001 Shanhe Yipianhong, carefully selecting high-mountain sun-dried green tea from Menghai, Yunnan, to craft a tea of enduring quality.
A notable feature of this tea is its smoky flavor infusion. The 2006 Zhongcha Dahongyin 8001 Shanhe Yipianhong, with its high aroma from dry storage, has aged for 16 years, resulting in a rich, smooth tea liquor where the smoky and aged aromas blend seamlessly. It offers clear sweetness and moisture in the mouth, making it a premium aged raw tea with excellent value.
Original Factory Packaging
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The original packaging is a paper box containing 6 tubes of tea, totaling 42 pieces. Each box comes with a large ticket that indicates the batch number, net weight, and other information.
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Each tube is wrapped in bamboo shoots, with the top printed with "Shanhe Yipianhong" in red. The overall appearance of the tubes is clean, with the bamboo shoot wrapping aiding in aroma preservation and moisture protection, beneficial for long-term storage and aging.
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The 2006 Zhongcha Dahongyin 8001 Shanhe Yipianhong follows the classic red mark style of packaging, with a festive and grand red design. The center features the classic "Eight Zhong Tea" logo, with "Dahongyin" marked on the left side and the product code 8001 on the right.
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The tea cake is wrapped in long-fiber cotton paper, with distinct long fibers for easy identification. The back of the packaging includes the production date, shelf life, and other information.
Tea Cake Characteristics
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Each tea cake weighs 400 grams, is round and well-shaped, with an appropriate level of compression. The surface of the cake is dark and dry, with tightly rolled leaves. After years of aging, the cake has become slightly loose, making it easier to break off.
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The dry leaves are plump, mainly consisting of robust tea materials, with uniform buds and leaves. The buds have turned golden, and there is a subtle smoky scent upon close inspection. This tea has been very well stored in a dry warehouse, preserving a high aroma.
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The 2006 Zhongcha Dahongyin 8001 Shanhe Yipianhong has a liquor that is bright orange-red and oily. There is a slight bitterness upon tasting, which quickly turns into sweetness, with rapid salivation. The liquor is thick, full-bodied, with a strong and intense flavor profile.
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A highlight of the tea liquor is the infusion of smoky flavor, with the unique rich smoke of the Menghai Bulang tea region accompanied by honey and aged aroma, adding to the tea's richness. As you continue to drink, the sweetness and moisture in the mouth become more pronounced, offering a pleasant throat feel.
Evaluation: The 2006 Zhongcha Dahongyin 8001, a classic legacy product of Dahongyin, has been aged in a dry warehouse for many years, infusing the water with smoke, delivering a smooth tea liquor with strong energy. It is a premium aged raw tea with high value for money.