Michael - it seems that you have "hit the nail on the head" - this is
the description of my Da Hong Pao per Scott, Yunnan Sourcing. Obviously
it was good enough for me. (From Ebay)
"Big Red Robe, a myth, a legend!

Just to let everybody know, there is only 400 grams (not kilograms)
produced each year from the last remaining Da Hong Pao tea bush in the
world. Don't believe any claims that you hear. The scant harvest of the
real thing is reserved for bigwigs here in China not foreigners! Even
if you could get it the price would be $5000 or more per 10 grams.

So anyways, this Da Hong Pao falls into the category of an excellent
fermented Red Oolong that was created by cloning Original Da Hong Pao.
The flavor is strong but smooth. Full of body and flavor. 40%
oxidization."

Nonetheless, delicious.
Shen

Michael Plant wrote:
> 1/21/07
>
>
> > well, what i mean is quite simple, it's impossible that da hong pao be
> > produced in yunnan province. i never want to insult you by implying
> > that your friend give you a fake one.
> >
> > if you send me several pics of your tea and its cover,box as well as
> > the "tea soup". maybe i can find a friend to help you.
>
> I honestly think that it was not Shen's original intention to
> discuss fake vs. real, but only to learn more about the teas
> she acquired. On the fake note, Da Hong Pao from places
> outside WuYi is *not* fake, provided that we are told where
> it came from. Perhaps "Da Hong Pao-like" is more like it.
> So many of the teas we love are the result of moving one
> or another variety of tea to a new place, or treating it in a
> completely different matter in its manufacture. Fake is a
> rough word, and IMHO ought to be reserved for those teas
> that fly under false colors; that is, teas whose origins are
> purposely clouded by the manufacturer and/or the vendor.
> Just thoughts.
> Michael