Recently, a century-old brand from the Wuyishan region—the Jiangjunling Da Hong Pao—has been gaining immense popularity among tea enthusiasts and is highly favored by top tea connoisseurs. Among the premium teas available on the market, only the “Da Hong Pao” has consistently maintained its prestigious position as imperial tea and state gift. As early as the 2019 global promotion event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister himself lavishly praised the Da Hong Pao, calling it “the best tea under heaven.”
　　According to the ranking of the Top 100 Regional Brands (Geographical Indications) released in the “2024 China Brand Value Evaluation Information,” Wuyi Rock Tea ranks third with a brand value of 74.009 billion yuan and a brand strength score of 913, maintaining its position as the second-highest-ranked regional tea brand in China for eight consecutive years. With a history spanning a thousand years, Wuyi Rock Tea is renowned for the saying, “Every teapot must be from Mengchen, and every tea must be from Wuyi.” Indeed, Mount Wuyi itself can be considered half the history of tea.
　　Wuyi rock tea boasts a wide variety of cultivars, among which Da Hong Pao stands out as the "noble" of the "Four Famous Varieties." The Jiangjun Ling, rooted in Wuyi for over a century, is a true embodiment of Da Hong Pao’s rich heritage spanning a century and more. So, what exactly is the story behind this rock tea brand that has earned such high praise within tea enthusiast circles?
　　Tracing Its Origins: The General’s Order—Da Hong Pao, the Origin of the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road. The Da Hong Pao tea boasts a long history and profound cultural heritage. In 1730 AD, Shanxi merchants pioneered the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road, and the General’s Order emerged naturally in response. Soon after, Da Hong Pao became immensely popular across Europe. The General’s Order—Da Hong Pao, the origin of the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road. The brand was established in Xiamei Village at the foot of the Wuyi Mountains. To understand its glorious tea industry, we must begin with Xiamei Village—the very first stop on the legendary Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road, steeped in countless tales and legends.
　　△ At the foot of Mount Wuyi, the first stop on the Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road, Xiaomei Village welcomes waves of tea merchants accompanied by the rhythmic clinking of camel bells. Carrying tea leaves produced in Mount Wuyi, these merchants set out from a village called Xiaomei, heading northward through Fujian, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces. They traverse mountains and rivers, cross deserts and vast stretches of wilderness, pass through the Mongolian Plateau, and finally reach the small border town of Khalkhyn Gol on the China-Russia frontier. From there, the tea route continues into Russian territory, then spreads further into Central Asia and other European countries, forming a total journey of 13,000 kilometers—the historic Ten-Thousand-Li Tea Road.
　　At that time, Chinese brick tea had already become immensely popular in Europe—especially among the nomadic peoples of Siberia, whose diet consisted mainly of meat and dairy. Indeed, their devotion to tea was such that they would rather go a day without food than a day without tea.
　　Thus, along this millennia-old tea route brimming with business opportunities, the premium-grade Da Hong Pao tea—backed by its exceptional quality—began to be exported extensively to Europe. It is said that at the time, a mere 30 grams of top-quality Da Hong Pao could fetch several thousand U.S. dollars in Britain, making it truly priceless and exceedingly hard to come by.
　　But why can the “Da Hong Pao” tea captivate the European royal courts with its intoxicating aroma, leaving even the most discerning Europeans utterly enchanted? This is closely tied to the Da Hong Pao’s uniquely distinctive “rock rhyme.”
　　Heavenly timing and favorable geographical conditions: The tender buds of Wuyi’s mountains and waters fully embody the “rocky essence and floral fragrance” that define the unique character of rock tea—much like a person’s inner strength and integrity. In the sensory standards for the “Wuyi Rock Tea Geographical Indication Protected Product,” officially approved and recognized by the state in June 2002, whether the “rocky essence” is pronounced has become one of the key criteria for assessing the quality and ranking of Wuyi rock tea.
　　The Jiangjunling brand is deeply rooted in the ancient tea gardens of Shangyan in Xiamei Village at the foot of the Wuyi Mountains, as well as in the century-old Laocong base in Huiyuan Pit. Such a uniquely blessed natural ecological environment gives rise to Jiangjunling Da Hong Pao’s distinctive “rocky charm”—a blend of the finest essence of mountains and rivers, imbued with the refined elegance of rock minerals and floral fragrance. Looking at its appearance, each tea leaf is robust and plump; savoring its taste, every sip is rich, fresh, and mellow—indeed, the longer you linger over it, the more profoundly you’ll appreciate its lingering, exquisite rock aroma and the luxurious elegance of this premium tea.
　　△ Jiangjunling Dahongpao Tea Plantation: A Fusion of Ancient Techniques and Modern Charm—A Masterpiece by the Second-Generation Inheritor of Dahongpao Production Craftsmanship. Beyond the ideal natural environment of Wuyishan, blessed with favorable weather and geography, the century-old quality of Jiangjunling Dahongpao is inseparable from the painstaking dedication and relentless pursuit of tea artisans who have devoted themselves to the tea gardens across generations. Only an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship can truly ensure a brand’s enduring strength and stability.
　　In the first batch of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, the production technique of Da Hong Pao is listed among them—making it the only tea-making technique among handcrafted skills. For nearly three centuries, Jiangjun Ling Da Hong Pao has remained steadfastly committed to uncompromising quality. Building on the foundation of traditional tea-making techniques, it continuously innovates, seamlessly blending “ancient methods” with “modern flair.”
　　△ Jiangjunling Dahongpao Handcrafted Tea-Frying Workshop—Jiangjunling Dahongpao is endorsed by Wuyishan Ancient Tea Road Tea Industry, inheriting the traditional tea-making techniques of Wuyi. Backed by advanced domestic tea-processing equipment and the meticulous craftsmanship of Fan Hui, the second-generation inheritor of the Dahongpao production technique, Jiangjunling Dahongpao boasts a highly sophisticated and intricate tea-making process. Adhering strictly to seasonal timing, this tea is harvested only once a year and undergoes 14 exclusive processing steps, all aimed at creating an exceptional premium tea that perfectly embodies the unique “rock rhyme” and delivers unparalleled quality.