What is Yellow Tea?
This small and rare category of tea is very significant in traditional Chinese tea. Two to three yellow teas have frequently been listed on China’s Ten Famous Teas list, saying volumes about the appreciation of yellow tea among the most influential patrons.
Yellow teas are micro-fermented where the semi-dry leaves are “yellowed” in a non-enzymatic browning. This allows the creation of a unique category of tea that is similar to green but usually rounder and smoother with deeper notes like grains and corn.
Learn more about Yellow Tea with our Tea Fundamentals.
About Our Huang Ya
Origin: Jin Ji Shan, Huo Shan, An Hui province, China (~700-800m elevation)
Huang Ya means yellow bud and refers to the yellow hue of both the fresh and the finished tea leaves. Tea Drunk’s Huang Ya is “yellowed” 3 to 7 times for a total of 96-200 hours. To finish the fining, the tea is then put on a bamboo tray to be flashed roasted over charcoal for an hour. This is a unique and ancient technique of the region called Zhuang Huo.
Yellowing and Zhang Huo
“Yellowing” is part of the fining process of Yellow Tea. It happens 3 to 7 times for a total of 96-200 hours. The tea is then put on a bamboo tray to be flashed roasted over charcoal for an hour to finish. This is a unique and ancient technique of the region called Zhuang Huo.
Tasting The 2023 Vintage
This 2023 vintage is a bold yellow tea with notes of caramelized ginger and dandelion greens.
Share Our Passion
If you love this guided tasting, join us monthly with our Educational Tea Club! We deep dive into two teas a month over Zoom. You'll be able to participate live and ask question and taste the tea together with our community.
Example Curriculum
What You'll Need
To get the most out of this session, we advise having a gong fu brewing set up ready to brew along with. A Gai Wan, Fairness Pitcher, Strainer, and Three Sip Cup is recommended.
You can purchase a full gong fu brewing kit here.
