Vietnamese Hong Tra Black Tea
A strong, tart-sweet black tea from Lam Dong, where French planters began growing tea in 1927.
Hong tra is Vietnamese for black tea, and Lam Dong in the Central Highlands is where the French set up Indochina's first tea plantation in 1927. The cup is strong and saturated, medium tart with some bitterness. Brewed in a teapot at 93°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 46 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 19.2 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 93°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 46 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Honey, cinnamon or herbs
Vietnamese black tea is strong enough to carry honey, cinnamon or herbs. Try it plain first, then add one at a time.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Hong tra is Vietnamese for black tea, and Lam Dong in the Central Highlands is where the French set up Indochina's first tea plantation in 1927. The cup is strong and saturated, medium tart with some bitterness. Brewed in a teapot at 93°C.
Origin & Story
Hong tra means red tea, the way Vietnamese, like Chinese, names what the West calls black tea. Most of it is made in two places: the northern provinces near China, where Phu Tho specializes in CTC for export, and Lam Dong in the southern Central Highlands.
Lam Dong's story begins with the French. They brought Assam tea to Vietnam, and in 1927 they established what is described as the first tea plantation in Indochina, at Cau Dat near Da Lat, making black tea for export to France. A tea factory conceived in 1927 and built from 1932 at Bao Loc, and the Cau Dat factory, are described as among the oldest in Vietnam.
Bao Loc is called the tea capital of the south, and its cool, humid climate suits the leaf. Growers there use the B'Lao variety and other large-leaved types, and the black tea is made by both orthodox and CTC methods.
Vietnamese black tea is described as strong and saturated, with the classic black tea taste, medium tart with some bitterness, and a sweetness that lingers. It is strong enough to carry honey, cinnamon or herbs.
Brew 3 g of leaf in 240 ml of water at about 93°C for three to four minutes in a teapot; the leaf can be infused one to three times.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 76/100 |
| Acidity | 42/100 |
| Bitterness | 42/100 |
| Body | 72/100 |
| Aroma | 88/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Vietnamese Hong Tra Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 46 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Vietnamese Hong Tra Black Tea?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Vietnamese Hong Tra Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf.
What does hong tra mean?
Hong tra means red tea in Vietnamese, which is the word for what Western drinkers call black tea.
When did tea growing start in Lam Dong?
In 1927, when the French set up what is described as Indochina's first tea plantation at Cau Dat, near Da Lat, and made black tea for export to France.
Who should avoid Vietnamese Hong Tra Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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