As one of the top ten famous teas in China, Baihao Yinzhen is not only well-known but also enjoyed by many Tea enthusiasts. However, do you know the story and origin of Baihao Yinzhen?
Legend has it that long ago, there was a prolonged drought in the region around Zhenghe, leading to an outbreak of plague with countless sick and dead. On Donggong Mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, there was a Dragon Well, beside which grew some miraculous Herbs. The juice squeezed from these herbs could cure all diseases; if dropped into rivers or fields, water would surge forth. Therefore, to save their fellow villagers, someone had to obtain these miraculous herbs. At the time, many brave young men set out to find the miraculous herbs but never returned.
A family with three siblings lived nearby. The eldest brother's name was Zhigang, the second brother was Zhicheng, and the youngest sister was Zhiyu. They decided that the eldest brother would go first to search for the miraculous herbs. If he did not return, the second brother would go next, and if he too failed to come back, then the sister would continue the search. One day, before setting out, the eldest brother Zhigang took out the ancestral sword and told his siblings, “If the sword rusts, it means I am no longer alive.” Then he headed east.
After thirty-six days, Zhigang finally reached the foot of Donggong Mountain. A white-haired, Silver-bearded old man appeared on the roadside and asked him if he was going up the mountain to gather the miraculous herbs. Zhigang answered affirmatively. The old man told him that the herbs were by the dragon well on the mountain but warned him to keep moving forward and never look back, or he would fail to get the herbs. Zhigang climbed halfway up the mountain and saw a field of scattered boulders, eerie and terrifying. He heard shouts behind him but ignored them and kept going. Suddenly, he heard a loud shout, “You dare to venture up here!” Zhigang was startled and turned around, immediately turning into a new stone among the boulders.
One day, Zhicheng and Zhiyu found the sword had rusted and knew that their eldest brother was gone. Zhicheng then took out an iron arrowhead and told Zhiyu, “I'm going to gather the miraculous herbs. If the arrowhead rusts, you must continue the search.” Zhicheng walked for forty-nine days and arrived at the foot of Donggong Mountain, where he met the same white-haired old man who gave him the same warning. When he reached the boulder field, he suddenly heard his brother Zhigang shout, “Brother Zhicheng, come and save me!” He turned around abruptly and also turned into a large rock.
When Zhiyu noticed the arrowhead had rusted, she realized the responsibility of finding the miraculous herbs had fallen to her. After setting out, she encountered the white-haired old man who gave her the same warnings and gifted her a baked glutinous rice cake. Zhiyu thanked him and continued on her way with her bow and arrows. When she arrived at the boulder field and strange sounds started, she cleverly stuffed her ears with the glutinous rice cake and resolutely did not turn back. Finally, she climbed to the mountaintop, came to the dragon well, used her bow and arrows to kill the black dragon, harvested the buds and leaves of the miraculous herbs, and irrigated the herbs with well water. The herbs immediately bloomed and produced seeds. Zhiyu collected the seeds and hurried down the mountain. Passing through the boulder field, she followed the old man's instructions and dripped the juice of the herb's buds and leaves onto each stone, transforming them back into people. Her brothers Zhigang and Zhicheng were revived. After returning home, the three siblings planted the seeds all over the hillsides. This miraculous herb was the tea plant, and thus began the annual tradition of picking and drying the tea buds and leaves, spreading widely. This is the origin of Baihao Yinzhen tea.
Baihao Yinzhen is a rare treasure among teas, known as the “King of Teas.” It is produced in Fuding City, Fujian Province, and Zhenghe County, Nanping City, in China. Its distinctive appearance is characterized by needle-like straightness, covered entirely in white hairs, resembling silver or snow. It is warm in taste and cool in nature, having the effects of invigorating the stomach, boosting energy, dispelling dampness, and reducing fever, often used medicinally. Baihao Yinzhen is extremely precious, effective in reducing false fevers and neutralizing toxins. Regular consumption can prevent illness and disease. In northern China, it is regarded as a good medicine for treating and nursing patients with measles. In 1982, it was rated as one of the national famous teas by the Ministry of Commerce, ranking first among thirty famous teas.
Baihao Yinzhen is rich in nutrients, including “active enzymes” that are generally higher than those in other teas. It also contains polyphenols, vitamins B1, B2, niacin, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin C, catechins, 25 amino acids, Theanine, and various minerals, all of which are more abundant compared to other teas.
With such a wonderful tea, how could any tea enthusiast miss out?