Yellow tea is a unique type of tea in China, known for its light fermentation process and “smothered yellow” processing. It is categorized into yellow bud tea, small yellow tea and large yellow tea. Due to the complex production process and limited production areas, yellow tea is relatively rare. Benefits include antioxidant, antihypertensive, blood sugar regulating, antibacterial and energizing.
What is Yellow Tea?
Yellow tea is a specialty of China. Yellow tea is lightly fermented tea, processing technology similar to green tea, just before or after the drying process, adding a “smothered yellow” process to promote the partial oxidation of its polyphenols, chlorophyll and other substances, yellow tea according to the old and young leaves, the size of the buds and leaves are divided into yellow buds tea, yellow tea and yellow tea, yellow tea and three kinds of big tea.
Classification of yellow tea:
1. Yellow bud tea
Yellow bud tea, picking standards for a single leaf or a bud and a leaf. Yellow bud tea varieties are: Hunan Yueyang Junshan silver needle, Sichuan Ya’an Mengding yellow bud and Anwei Huoshan yellow bud.
2. Yellow small tea
Yellow small tea is picked tender buds and leaves, mostly one bud and one leaf, one bud and two leaves. The varieties of yellow small tea are Weishan Mao from Ningxiang, Hunan, Yuanan Luyuan from Yuanan, Hubei and Pingyang Huangtang from Wenzhou, Zhejiang.
3. Huangda tea
Yellow tea requires large branches and large poles, fresh leaves picked for the standard bud four or five leaves. Varieties are mainly jinzhai yellow tea of anwei wanxi, huoshan yellow tea of anwei hoshan and guangdong zhanjiang and other places of guangdong big leaf green and so on.
Why is yellow tea so rare?
The reason why yellow tea is relatively rare is related to its production process and output. Yellow tea is a unique type of tea with a relatively complex production process that requires special fermentation and roasting processes.
- Complex production process: The production process of yellow tea is relatively complex, including killing, kneading, smothering, fermentation and baking and other aspects. Compared with other tea types, making yellow tea requires more time and labor, making the production relatively low.
- Special fermentation process: The special feature of yellow tea is its unique fermentation process, which is called “smothering”. During the packaging process, the tea leaves will undergo microbial fermentation in a moist environment, forming a unique flavor and color. This process requires a high level of environmental and technical requirements, which makes it more difficult to produce.
- Limited production areas: Compared with green tea, black tea and other common tea types, the production areas of yellow tea are relatively limited. The main yellow tea producing areas include Anhui, Hunan and Fujian in China, and each area produces different types and styles of yellow tea.
Taking all these factors into consideration, yellow tea is relatively rare, but it is also because of its unique production process and taste that makes it a special treat among tea lovers.
How to brew yellow tea
Tea set
You can use glass cup tea set to brew, so that you can observe the shape of the tea brewing.
Tea quantity
According to the capacity of the tea set into the appropriate amount of tea, the general ratio of tea to water is 1:50.
Brewing time and temperature
The temperature of the brewing water is 85 degrees, the first brewing time is 30 seconds, the second brewing time is sixty seconds, and the third brewing time is 2 minutes.
What are the benefits of yellow tea?
Yellow tea is believed to have some health-related benefits due to its special production process and fermentation process. However, it is important to note that the benefits of tea vary from person to person and scientific research is still ongoing. Here are some of the potential benefits that are generally considered to be associated with yellow tea:
Antioxidant Effects: Yellow tea is rich in tea polyphenols, especially flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant effects. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals in the body and help prevent cell damage.
Lowering Blood Pressure: Some studies have shown that the components in yellow tea may have a role in lowering blood pressure. This may be related to the relaxing effect of tea polyphenols on blood vessels.
Regulate blood sugar: Some studies suggest that yellow tea intake may help regulate blood sugar levels. This may help control diabetes and prevent blood sugar fluctuations.
Antimicrobial: Some of the components in yellow tea are thought to have antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help maintain the health of the oral and gastrointestinal tracts.
Refreshing: Yellow tea contains caffeine and other ingredients, which have some refreshing effect, but the content is relatively low compared to caffeine, which helps to increase alertness without causing over-excitement.
The bottom line
Yellow tea is notable for its unique process and flavor. Complex to make and with limited origins, types include yellow bud tea, yellow small tea and yellow large tea. The benefits of yellow tea cover antioxidant, antihypertensive, blood sugar regulating, antibacterial and energizing. For tea lovers, yellow tea is a valuable choice.
