Huo Shan Huang Ya

HUO SHAN HUANG YA – Yellow Tea

Origin: China

Infusion Temperature: 80° Celsius

Infusion Time: 1-2 minutes

Serving Size: 2 grams/200 ml

Huo Shan Huang Ya is an exquisite and rare yellow tea, cultivated in the misty mountains of Huoshan County, nestled within the Lu’An Prefecture of China’s Anhui Province. Harvested in the early days of the spring, this tea grows at altitudes between 800 and 1000 meters, where a gentle climate and soft mountain fog create the ideal terroir for high-grade teas.

This specific variety is made from the Jin Ji cultivar, a plant known for its elegance and potential to develop refined aromatic compounds. The plucking standard includes only the most tender buds and first leaves an indication of its exceptional quality. What sets this tea apart is not only its rarity but also the artisanal craftsmanship behind its production: every step is conducted by hand, requiring deep knowledge and mastery passed down through generations. Very few tea masters today retain the skill to produce this type of tea to such a high standard.

Yellow tea occupies a delicate space between green tea and lightly oxidized oolong. The leaves undergo a unique process similar to that of green tea but are allowed to rest with residual moisture, triggering a gentle, non-enzymatic oxidation. This additional step changes the tea’s chemical composition, resulting in a transformation of chlorophyll into golden hues and enhancing the tea’s flavor complexity. The result is a liquor with reduced grassy notes and a mellower, sweeter character a rare harmony of depth and clarity.

The liquor of Huo Shan Huang Ya is crystal-clear, with a soft golden tone that reflects the morning light of its mountainous birthplace. Its aroma is delicate yet persistent, reminiscent of spring blossoms and dew-covered grass. On the palate, it reveals notes of toasted hazelnuts, fresh pear, and subtle floral sweetness, striking a fine balance between vegetal clarity and nutty warmth. These characteristics echo those found in other premium Chinese teas like Huang Shan Mao Feng and Long Jing, but with a more restrained grassy presence and a rounder, more delicate body.

Huo Shan Huang Ya boasts a noble past. Once presented as a tribute tea to the imperial court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), it was so treasured that Emperor Tang Xian Zong reportedly deployed thousands of soldiers to guard the tea gardens where it was grown. Unfortunately, the tradition of yellow tea production faded in the early 20th century due to socio-economic shifts and was nearly lost. It wasn’t until the 1970s that its rare processing method was revived and the tea reintroduced to the world.

To fully appreciate the subtle evolution of this tea, we recommend using the traditional Eastern infusion method:

Gong Fu (Eastern Style):

• Use 4 grams of tea in 100 ml of water at 80°C.
• Infuse for 40 seconds, increasing steeping time by 5 seconds for each subsequent infusion.

Western Style:

• Use 2 grams of tea in 200 ml of water at 80°C.
• Infuse for 2 minutes, adding an additional minute for each further steeping.

This is a tea best enjoyed in silence, allowing the senses to explore its layers with every sip, a timeless infusion born from tradition, precision, and nature’s quiet beauty. This tea is a gentle companion during the quiet moments of early afternoon, inviting reflection and calm.