Dong Ding tea facts for kids
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| Type: | Oolong |
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| Other names: | Tung-ting |
| Origin: | Nantou, Taiwan |
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| Quick description: | Taiwanese oolong |
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Dong Ding (pronounced dong ding), also known as Tung-ting, is a special type of oolong tea from Taiwan. Its name means "Frozen Summit" or "Icy Peak." This name comes from the mountain in Taiwan where this unique tea is grown.
About 150 years ago, the first Dong Ding tea plants were brought to Taiwan. They came all the way from the Wuyi Mountains in China's Fujian Province.
Contents
Where Dong Ding Tea Grows
Dong Ding tea is grown in the Lugu area of Nantou County. This region is in central Taiwan. It has been a famous place for growing tea for a very long time. The cool, misty mountain climate helps the tea plants grow perfectly.
How Dong Ding Tea is Made
Making Dong Ding tea involves several careful steps. These steps give the tea its special taste and smell.
Picking the Leaves
Tea pickers carefully choose the best leaves for Dong Ding tea. They usually pick three or four leaves, sometimes with a small bud. These leaves can be picked by hand or with special machines.
Preparing the Leaves
After picking, the leaves go through a process called withering. This means they are left to dry a little. They might be left outside in the sun, indoors, or a mix of both. This step helps to remove some of the water from the leaves.
Bruising and Oxidation
Next, the tea leaves are gently tossed and bruised. This is often done on large bamboo baskets. Bruising the leaves starts a process called oxidation. Oxidation is when the leaves react with oxygen in the air. This changes their color and flavor. For Dong Ding tea, the oxidation is usually between 15% and 30%.
Rolling and Firing
After oxidation, the leaves are rolled. This can be done by hand or by machine. Rolling helps to shape the tea and prepare it for the final step. The last step is firing. This means the leaves are heated to stop the oxidation process. Sometimes, the tea is fired over charcoal. This gives Dong Ding tea a warm, toasty, and woody flavor.
