Yellow Tea - Huang Cha

Yellow tea (Huang Cha) is perhaps the most mysterious category of tea. Why? The way Yellow tea is made is kept secret. What we do know is that Yellow tea goes through a special process called "smothering" that oxidizes the tea similar to how Maillard reactions are used for browning food. What does that mean for customers? Yellow tea has a very distinctive flavor.

In terms of flavor, Yellow teas live somewhere between Green and Light Oolong. Like Green tea, Yellow teas are astringent. Unlike Green, you'll find many Yellow teas with notes of sweetness and umami, like you'd find in lighter Oolong teas.

For a classic Yellow tea, we recommend Junshan Needle or Old Gold. For Oolong drinkers, we recommend "First Steps".