Botanical Dossier
Bei Dou vs Da Hong Pao
Bei Dou
Oolong Tea · China
Mineral · Floral · Roasted
Da Hong Pao
Oolong Tea · China
Roasted · Mineral · Fruity
| Attribute | Bei Dou | Da Hong Pao |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Oolong Tea | Oolong Tea |
| Origin | China | China |
| Region | Fujian (Wuyi) | Fujian (Wuyi) |
| Flavor | Mineral · Floral · Roasted | Roasted · Mineral · Fruity |
| Body | Medium | Strong |
| Caffeine | Medium (~30–50 mg) | Medium (~30–50 mg) |
| Oxidation | Medium | High |
| Roast | Medium | High |
| Brewing temp | 95–100°C | 95–100°C |
| Steep time | 1–2 min | 1–2 min |
| Re-steep | 3–6 times | 4–6 times |
Sensory Dissection
Flavor
Bei Dou
Bei Dou is a Wuyi rock tea cultivated from cuttings of Da Hong Pao's mother bushes, offering a direct taste of the original qidao heritage. The cup carries the classic yanyun mineral core with dark floral notes, roasted grain warmth, and a long structured finish. It tends to be slightly more savory and less overtly fruity than commercial Da Hong Pao blends, which is exactly why purists seek it out.
Da Hong Pao
Da Hong Pao is the most famous of the Wuyi 'rock teas' (yancha), grown on mineral-rich cliffs and traditionally charcoal-roasted. The cup is deep and layered: roasted stone fruit, dark mineral, and a warm cacao-like finish with a distinctive 'yanyun' rock rhyme minerality. It is bold yet smooth, and resteeps many times with evolving character.
Preparation Protocol
Brewing
Bei Dou
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 3–6 times
Da Hong Pao
- Water temperature
- 95–100°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
- Re-steep
- 4–6 times
Biochemistry
Caffeine
Bei Dou
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Da Hong Pao
Medium caffeine — roughly 30–50 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Craft & Microclimate
Origin
Bei Dou
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
Bei Dou was propagated from Da Hong Pao mother-bush cuttings in the 1980s and grown in the Wuyi Zhengyan area.
Da Hong Pao
China · Fujian (Wuyi)
The original Da Hong Pao bushes grow in the Wuyi mountains of northern Fujian.
Curator's Recommendation
Which one might you prefer?
There is no superior tea here — only distinct sensory journeys. Use your flavor memory and current mood to choose.
Choose Bei Dou if you like:
- Mineral
- Floral
- Roasted
Choose Da Hong Pao if you like:
- Roasted
- Mineral
- Fruity
Keep Exploring
Related teas to explore
Similar teas from both sides of this comparison.
