The Bold Flavor of Bao Loc Oolong Tea - Doi Dep Tea

Bao Loc oolong tea is regarded as one of the signature products of this land of tea, having endured countless ups and downs of history. From the ancient tea trees at the northernmost frontier of the Fatherland to the vast tea fields of the Thai Nguyen midlands and all the way to the red-soil highlands… through the vicissitudes of history, the Vietnamese people have forged a “tea-drinking culture” with a distinctive character throughout their long journey of settlement and development.

A treasure from the “heavenly realm”…

Tea of the Way, tea of beauty, tea of leisure

Tea blends with the Vietnamese soul, sowing the seeds of friendship

Its fragrant charm spreads as words are exchanged

A hint of philosophy, sweet with the taste of poetry

The Tea-Drinking Culture of the Vietnamese

According to historical records, the world has known tea civilizations such as those of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Into what began as a simple beverage, people breathed legends through the ways of preparing and enjoying it, and even philosophies of life. Vietnamese tea culture permeates every sphere of life thanks to its elegance and courtesy, rich in meaning and affection.

Vietnamese tea culture is unlike the Japanese tea ceremony or that of China. The Vietnamese tea-drinking culture is like a stream flowing unbroken from ancient times to the present, steeped in the lives and souls of the people here. Tea took root here, became bound up with life and has a vitality as powerful as the lives of the people over the long course of 4,000 years of history. The “phong tra” (style of drinking tea) in Vietnam clearly reflects the manners of the people of this S-shaped land: our forebears held that drinking tea is an art, and art follows no formula.

There were periods when tea was reserved almost exclusively for noble and prominent families. Over time, however, tea became ever more familiar and unpretentious, appearing everywhere without distinction of class. Although the Vietnamese way of enjoying tea has changed a great deal, the art of tea appreciation still retains its own beauty, reflecting the character and customs of the Vietnamese people.

Tea is regarded as a cultural trait because it is so widespread. People can savor fine cups of tea while confiding in and chatting with one another. That is why tea is always present in the life of every family today. Guests visiting a home are usually offered a cup of tea, which is also the host’s way of showing warmth and a hearty welcome to honored guests. Offering tea also expresses respect for one’s elders and superiors, so on holidays and at Tet, at family reunions, weddings or death anniversaries, people often give each other tea sets brimming with meaning. In the old tea customs, the manner of offering tea also became a yardstick for judging the learning and bearing of the person serving it. The fragrant cup of tea has become a measure of core values,

And today, tea has blended with other influences, developed and been “refreshed” to suit modern life.

Bao Loc Oolong Tea

Bao Loc (Lam Dong) lies 120 km southwest of Da Lat and is known as the “tea capital” thanks to its cool climate, fertile soil and the hard-working, diligent local people. Here, lush tea hills in fresh, young shades of green stretch all the way to the horizon.

Bao Loc is home to three famous oolong varieties: Kim Tuyen oolong, Thuan oolong and Tu Quy oolong. Bao Loc oolong is renowned because it grows at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level, in a climate shrouded in mist all year round and on fertile soil well suited to the growth of tea plants. Added to this is a processing method with many stages: withering, aroma tumbling, pan-firing to halt oxidation, cloth-ball rolling, shape rolling, drying… To produce good oolong, tea artisans must follow a strict process from harvesting to the finished dry tea. As a result, oolong grown in Bao Loc has a very fragrant and lasting aroma, a rich taste, a green or greenish-yellow liquor and green spent leaves. It is fair to say that premium Bao Loc oolong is in no way inferior to oolong grown in the high mountains of Taiwan and China.

Bao Loc oolong has a gentle, lasting fragrance and a rich but not overly harsh taste. When you drink it, you will notice a clean sweetness and a long-lingering aftertaste without the astringency of ordinary teas. Somewhere in its aroma are notes of fragrant flowers and sweet fruit, the scent of young buds still wet with dew – a truly beautiful and pure fragrance.

Bao Loc Oolong Tea Products from the Doi Dep Brand

Today, with an invested and developed raw-material area, standardized cultivation practices, refined processing, meticulous packaging and an extensive distribution network, Doi Dep is a renowned brand of Bao Loc, regarded as the oolong tea capital of Vietnam. Combined with the gifts bestowed by nature, Doi Dep aspires to revive the time-honored, quintessential values of the people and of the red-soil highlands of Lam Dong. Bao Loc oolong tea products from the Doi Dep brand include:

Viet Tra Thuc

Viet Tra Thuc encapsulates the national identity – the versatility and profound mindfulness – in the way Vietnamese people conduct themselves with others. Ngu Thuc Viet Tra (the Five Ways of Vietnamese Tea) brings the Vietnamese ways of enjoying tea to life.

• Moc Thuc (the Simple Way): The most basic and convenient way of enjoying tea – anyone can drink tea anywhere, all that is needed is tea. Moc Thuc symbolizes the majority and the pure nature of the Vietnamese people.
• Van Thuc (the Literary Way): A more elaborate way of enjoying tea that requires a certain understanding of tea and tea appreciation. Van Thuc symbolizes the aesthetic sense and subtlety of the Vietnamese people.
• Ngu Thuc (the Royal Way): The court style of enjoying tea once reserved for kings and royalty. Today, the royal way of tea is used at tea receptions of a diplomatic nature and in international relations to honor the values of Vietnamese tea culture.
• Tinh Thuc (the Tranquil Way): A contemplative way of enjoying tea that seeks serenity. The tea drinker takes time to reflect on life in order to settle body and mind and return to oneself. Tinh Thuc symbolizes the purity of the Vietnamese soul.
• Thu Thuc (the Scholarly Way): A symbol of Vietnamese intellect – enjoying tea while appreciating art or reading books.

Doi Dep Oolong Tea:

Oolong Thuan Vi: A rolled oolong made from one bud and three leaves of the Kim Tuyen cultivar. It has an original, rustic flavor, a clean aroma like young rice and a clear yellowish-green liquor. This tea suits tea lovers who enjoy exploring the rich layers of flavor in tea.

Oolong Tinh Tuyen: A rolled oolong made from one bud and three leaves of the Kim Tuyen and Xuan Moi cultivars. The liquor is yellowish-green, with a fresh aroma and a light, cool sweetness like jasmine, followed by a slightly astringent aftertaste. This tea is ideal for those just beginning their friendship with tea.

Oolong Nhat Vi: Made from buds of the Tu Quy cultivar, it offers an intense, rich and distinct aroma reminiscent of orchids. The liquor is a lustrous, viscous golden yellow; the taste is light and graceful yet deep and multi-layered, changing nimbly with each infusion, with a slightly astringent finish and a sweet lingering note in the throat. This tea suits tea lovers who like northern-style tea and green tea.

Oolong Tran Vi: A premium tea made from Kim Tuyen buds harvested in the early spring crop. It has a rich, distinctive layered aroma: the deep, creamy fragrance of milky young green rice, sweet like ripe fruit. The liquor is a viscous golden yellow; the taste is round, full and velvety smooth, with a refreshing aftertaste. Tran Vi – a tea of many-hued flavors, suited to tea lovers who prefer rich, complex teas yet still appreciate elegance and refinement.

Ngoc Thien Chi Tra – The Quintessence of Doi Dep Tea

Ngoc Thien Chi Tra is Doi Dep’s collection of premium oolong teas, made from precious cultivars that meet high standards of “aroma, color and taste” and embody the essence bestowed by heaven and earth.

With its luxurious and refined design, the set is a harmonious combination of Aroma – Color – Taste, together with gifts bearing the distinctive Doi Dep mark. Ngoc Thien Chi Tra is the perfect choice for a gift of health for valued partners, customers and loved ones.

As a brand that delivers a flawless experience in every moment of using its products and services, Doi Dep’s premium Bao Loc oolong tea, together with genuine care and understanding, helps customers feel at ease to enjoy a happy and beautiful life. On its journey of “Building Happiness – Crafting a Beautiful Life”, Doi Dep continually trains its team of skilled artisans and improves and tests new methods, guided by the philosophy: “Quality is the source of an indispensable companion and kindred spirit.”

Source: DOIDEP