The Wuyi Mountains of China’s Fujian Province are believed to be the birthplace of Oolong tea. These mountains, noted for their ninety nine steep, rugged cliffs and thirty six peaks are covered in tea plants and give the 'Famous Four Rock Teas' their name. The most famous cliff of all is Tianxin. Here can be found three large, red Chinese characters carved into the rock, signifying the home of Da Hong Pao or Scarlet Robe tea. It is one of the most famous of the ‘ten famous’ teas. The trees are not fertilised or pruned and grow to about 20ft tall in the shallow, sandy soil which is fed by a slow running spring. The thick, tender, pinkish coloured buds are protected from the heat of the day by the shadows of the cliff. The prime grade is picked just once a year prior to the rainy season. It must be harvested by hand before dawn while the dew is still on the leaves. Each bush will yield just one pound of tea which will be ready to drink within 24 hours. In ancient China, at the beginning of the tea season, dignitaries and merchants rushed to buy the tea and bid the price up to high levels, even by present day standards. Even now there is a great deal of excitement and ceremony on the day this tea is picked. There is much folklore about Da Hong Pao explaining the origins of its name and the extraordinary claims made about its health benefits, it was believed to cure all diseases. One saying goes: long ago an official with a life threatening disease was sent the tea as a tribute from the monks of the Heavenly Mind Temple. After drinking the tea for some days he recovered and being so grateful went to burn incense at the cliff. He returned the tribute by laying his scarlet robe over the bushes, hence the name. The tea has a higher mineral content than other teas, perhaps the reason it is considered a healthy drink that can maintain health, aid recuperation and bring longevity. The infusion is golden coloured, with a fragrance and sweet taste that has a hint of apricots.