In brief: Yellow tea is a rare Chinese grand cru with a golden, velvety liquor. Ideal brewing: 12 to 15 g/L at 70-80°C for 2 to 3 minutes, best enjoyed in the morning or during the day.
Among the six great families of tea, yellow tea holds a place of its own. Discreet, refined, and sought after by connoisseurs, it represents a tiny fraction of global production. Its singular softness and incomparable roundness make it truly unlike any other.
Rooted in a Chinese craft tradition passed down over centuries, this remarkable tea owes its character to a unique production step: the gentle smothering of warm leaves. A delicate, almost secretive practice that sets it apart from every other variety.
Our house has selected this grand cru to bring you a truly exceptional sensory experience. our Chinese teas and explore the richness of a millennial tradition.
The aromatic profile of yellow tea
From the very first sip, this infusion reveals an enveloping, almost creamy softness. The luminous golden liquor releases a delicate fragrance, where tender vegetal notes blend with a subtly smoky hint characteristic of Chinese craftsmanship.
Top notes: fresh vegetal, cut grass, a quiet liveliness that recalls certain green tea varieties without their grassiness.
Heart notes: honeyed roundness, gentle florality, a silky texture in the mouth that sometimes evokes fresh chestnut or sweet corn.
Base notes: a long, lightly woody finish, where subtle toasted nuances hint at the slow oxidation step that defines this cru.
This infusion offers a rare balance between the freshness of green tea and the maturity of Oolong. Hand-picked buds and young leaves give the cup a velvety quality no other Chinese tea quite matches. Also explore our Pi Lo Chun green tea or our Lapsang Souchong selection to continue your journey through China's great teas.
How to brew yellow tea
Brewing this precious tea deserves care and gentleness. Water that is too hot will scorch the delicate leaves and dull the subtlety of the flavor. Here is the ideal method for bringing out all the richness of the cup.
Quantity: use 12 to 15 g of leaves per liter of water, roughly one heaped teaspoon per cup.
Temperature: heat your water to between 70 and 80°C. If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring to a near-simmer then leave to rest for 2 to 3 minutes before brewing.
Brewing time: 2 to 3 minutes is all it takes. Beyond that, bitterness may overshadow the natural sweetness of the leaves.
Water: choose a low-mineral water so as not to mask the delicate aromas.
For a fully traditional tasting, opt for fine porcelain or glass teaware, which lets you admire the dance of the buds in the golden liquor. See our guide to choosing the ideal Chinese tea set to perfect your ritual.
The leaves can be steeped 2 to 3 times, with each infusion revealing a different facet of the aroma. A gradual, almost meditative experience, best savored in the morning or mid-afternoon.
Storage
To preserve all the finesse of this grand cru, store it in an airtight, opaque container away from light, moisture, and strong odors. At room temperature (around 18-20°C), the leaves will retain their aromatic freshness for 12 to 18 months. Avoid the refrigerator, as condensation can alter the aromas.
Frequently asked questions
What is yellow tea?
It is one of the six great families of Chinese tea, sitting somewhere between green tea and white tea. Its unique production includes a gentle smothering of the leaves, which gives it its golden color and characteristic softness. It remains an exceptionally rare tea.
How do you brew yellow tea?
Use 12 to 15 g of leaves per liter of water at 70-80°C and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Water that is too hot or a steeping time that is too long will diminish the aromatic delicacy. The leaves can be brewed 2 to 3 times in succession, each steep revealing a new dimension.
What are the benefits of yellow tea?
Appreciated for centuries in China for its gentleness, it makes a lovely companion for moments of quiet. Above all, it is a sensory pleasure: a refined, warming drink to be savored with full attention.
Where does yellow tea come from?
It comes exclusively from certain provinces of China, where the tradition of its production has been kept alive by a handful of dedicated growers. Its rarity stems from the complexity of its making, which demands both patience and expertise.
How does it differ from other teas?
Unlike green tea (unoxidized) or black tea (fully oxidized), yellow tea undergoes a unique slow-smothering process that gives it an incomparable softness. Rounder than a green tea, more vegetal than an Oolong, it occupies a category entirely its own within the art of Chinese tea.
