| Black tea from Yunnan province is generally called Dianhong Tea. Our higher quality Yunnan black teas grows in the Lincang area, the birthplace of tea, which is a mountainous region lying from 1680 to 1900 meters above sea level. With the mild climate and high altitude, it making for an extra-long growing season. The tea is harvested from March all the way through to November.
Our Dianhong black tea is harvested from spring, it brew to a brassy, golden orange color and have a gentle, sweet aroma and no bitterness. Our Yunnan black tea is characterized by a larger amount of young leaf buds, also referred to as “golden tips”, than other Chinese black teas. These tips result in the delicate, slightly smoky flavor with hints of cocoa and caramel and light peppery tones. Cheaper varieties become darker and more brownish when brewed and can taste quite bitter if prepared incorrectly.
High quality black teas from Yunnan, like Yunnan Pure Gold and Yunnan Gold are generally enjoyed pure, while lower qualities are often included in tea blends.
There are several different varieties of Dian Hong Cha:
Broken Yunnan: the cheapest variety with mostly black leaves and very few golden buds; brews dark with a bitter taste; usually used in tea blends
Yunnan Gold: slightly more golden buds; lighter, brassy red brew with a sweetness to it; less intense than Pure Gold, but similarly priced.
Yunnan Pure Gold: only golden tips and they are covered in fine hairs; brews bright red with a gently aroma and sweet flavor; the highest quality dian hong tea.
Golden Needle: also contains long only golden tips, but they are long and thin like pine needles; brew to an amberish infusion.
Pine Needle: similar to Golden Needle, but with a mix of differently colored leaves, which looks like old pine needles that have fallen from the tree. |
