Master Du’s Selection: 2026 Artisanal Blended Da Hong Pao (Wuyi Rock Tea)

Zhengyan & Banyan Terroir | Master Du Huating (20+ Years Exp) | Double Charcoal Roasted

“The Art of the Blend: A symphony of five legendary cultivars, tempered by the double-fire of litchi charcoal.”

At ZENTAOEAST, we believe that the highest expression of Wuyi Rock Tea often lies in the master’s ability to blend. This 2026 Artisanal Da Hong Pao is the “Proud Work” of Master Du Huating, a veteran tea maker with over 20 years of experience in the Wuyi Mountains. By skillfully combining the strengths of five distinct cultivars, Master Du has created a Da Hong Pao that offers a level of complexity and harmony that no single tree variety could achieve alone.

The Alchemy of the Blend: A 5-Cultivar Symphony

Master Du has selected premium raw materials from the Zhengyan (Core Rock) and Banyan (Half-Rock) areas, harvested in late April 2026. Each cultivar in this blend plays a specific role:

• Rou Gui (肉桂): Provides the powerful “bone” and the signature spicy, cinnamon aroma.

• Shui Xian (水仙): Adds the “flesh”—a thick, velvety mouthfeel and deep, mellow minerals.

• Jin Mudan & Rui Xiang (金牡丹 & 瑞香): Infuse the tea with delicate, high-pitched floral notes and elegance.

• Qi Lan (奇兰): Contributes a unique, ethereal fragrance that lingers in the throat.

The Fire: A Two-Stage Charcoal Ritual

This tea has undergone a patient, traditional Medium Fire (Zhōng Huǒ) charcoal roasting process to ensure the “fire” is deeply integrated into the leaf:

• First Roast (Late July): To stabilize the initial character and set the foundation of the roast.

• Resting Period: The tea is allowed to “breathe” for several weeks to let the internal moisture and fire harmonize.

• Second Roast (Mid-August): To refine the sweetness, caramelize the sugars, and secure the legendary “Yan Yun” (Rock Charm).

The Experience: Layered Complexity

• Aroma: A multi-dimensional bouquet—starting with roasted nuts and spice, opening up into a garden of orchids and lilies.

• Palate: The liquor is deep amber and exceptionally clean. It hits the palate with a robust mineral “rock” character, followed by a sweet, floral aftertaste (Hui Gan) that evolves with every infusion.

Curator’s Verdict

“Master Du Huating’s 2026 Blended Da Hong Pao is for the drinker who seeks a ‘Full-Spectrum’ Rock Tea experience. While single-cultivar teas are fascinating studies, this blend is a complete performance. The patience in the double charcoal roast is palpable—there is no ‘burnt’ edge, only a deep, warming glow. It is an outstanding example of why Da Hong Pao remains the king of Wuyi Oolongs.”

— Richard Zhang, Founding Curator