Tea Details
Harvest: Spring 2025 (Pre-Qingming)
Region: Chenxi Township, Shangyu District, Zhejiang
Elevation: ~500 m above sea level
Cultivar: Heirloom Qun Ti Zhong
Crafting Highlight: Sealed yellowing + pearl-style shaping
Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container away from heat and light
Shelf Life: 12 months at room temperature; 2–3 years refrigerated
Net Weight: 30g / 1.06oz
Where is it from?
This tea garden is located in Chenxi Township, Shangyu District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang.
At around 500 meters above sea level, it may seem modest — but in this hilly landscape, it’s already considered high terrain. Frequent mist, abundant rainfall, and wide day–night temperature swings nurture tea leaves rich in aroma and internal compounds.
We work with heirloom seed-grown tea bushes (quntizhong), many of which are over 60 years old. Their roots grow over 3 feet deep into mineral-rich soil, allowing the plants to draw natural nutrients and stay resilient through seasonal changes.
This garden has long been my father’s most trusted base — he knows its rhythm and temperament, and can craft entirely different teas from the same fresh leaves simply by adjusting the process.
What Makes Yellow Tea Yellow?
Yellow tea is often mistaken for green tea — but there’s a key step that sets it apart: menhuang, or the “sealing yellow” process.
After the tea is pan-fired, it’s gently kept warm and rested in a humid environment. This quiet transformation gives the leaves their signature golden color and mellow, comforting taste, softening the sharp grassy edge often found in green tea.
The result? A tea that’s smooth, round, and easier on the stomach — with a mellow taste that stays with you, sip after sip.
How We Do It Differently
Instead of the traditional paper-wrapping method, we use food-grade stainless steel drums for menhuang. This modern update ensures a cleaner, more controlled environment for yellowing — preserving the leaf’s natural sweetness and ensuring consistent quality.
After yellowing, we gently dry the tea using a five-layer hot air dryer, locking in aroma and halting the yellowing process at just the right time. Finally, the leaves are rolled and finished to a delicate pearl shape.
Our Modern Interpretation
Our Yellow Pearl Tea revives tradition with a modern touch—melding the classic yellowing method of Pingyang Huangtang with pearl-style shaping inspired by Zhu-type (珠型) green teas like Cuiming from Shangyu, Zhejiang.
Unlike the original loose form, we gently roll the leaves into compact pearls, giving the tea a refined appearance and slow-unfurling elegance.
The yellowing stage remains fully handcrafted, developing the tea’s signature mellow body and gentle sweetness.
