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Yellow Tea
Yellow teas (huang cha) are unique and very labor intensive, hence the reason for their rarity. This category accounts for less than one percent of total tea production worldwide. Many tea purveyors classify them as green tea; however, they are truly a distinct type of tea that undergoes a distinguishing processing step called Men Huang (Sealing Yellow). Yellow teas are usually crafted from the pure bud pluck or a bud and one leaf, although it is becoming common for some of the newer styles of this tea to be crafted using the bud and two leaves.
After harvest, the leaves undergo a withering process, which reduces the moisture content and makes them more pliable and easy to work. The leaves then go through a slight and slow steaming to stop/slow oxidation and warm the leaves in preparation for them to undergo an as-yet-to-be-identified chemical process, the Men Huang step. During Men Huang, the leaves are piled and wrapped in a basket with damp cloth or spread out and covered with damp cloth and allowed to rest from 4 to 72 hours. There is debate as to whether or not the leaves undergo slight oxidation during this time. The Men Huang process yellows the leaves and yields an infusion with a mellow taste and aroma that lacks the astringency, and minimizes the vegetal and grassy characteristics of green tea.
Historically, yellow teas were only produced in certain regions in China and they were named after the mountain that is located near where they were produced. Examples include Jun Shan Yin Zhen Huang Cha and Meng Ding Huang Ya Huang Cha. Currently, other regions in China and other countries have begun producing yellow tea. And, in several cases, the producers are getting creative and experimenting with the details in the processing steps. For example, some may wither the leaves in the shade, while others are withering them in the sun. Every tweak to the process will yield some difference in taste and aromatic characteristics, along with some leaves that do not look like a traditionally typical yellow tea.
I now offer four yellow teas: Huang Shan Huang Ya Yellow Tea; Meng Ding Huang Ya Yellow Tea; and the newly added Anhui Yellow Tea and Yunnan Organic Yellow Tea. Each have their own distinct character and are a treat to enjoy. Feel free to visit the online shop https://www.pleasuresoftea.com to view detailed descriptions of each tea. Enjoy your journey through this rare category :)
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