content/media/landing/yellow-tea.jpgWhat is yellow tea?
Yellow tea is a traditional Chinese style that begins much like green tea but includes an extra, slow step known as "sealing yellow". The warm, damp leaves are gently allowed to rest, which softens any grassy edge and brings out a rounder, mellower flavour.
This careful, time-consuming process is why yellow tea is relatively rare and highly regarded. The result is a cup that sits somewhere between green and white tea, with a distinctive smooth sweetness.
A smooth, forgiving character
Where a green tea can turn bitter if brewed carelessly, yellow tea tends to be gentler and more forgiving, with a soft, honeyed quality. It has a light golden colour and a clean, lingering finish.
Like other teas from the Camellia sinensis plant, it contains a moderate amount of caffeine and the same family of natural plant compounds. Many people find it a beautifully calming drink to slow down with.
How to appreciate yellow tea
Because it shares green tea's delicacy, yellow tea is best brewed with cooler water, around 75 to 85 degrees, to keep it smooth and sweet. Steep for two to three minutes for a first infusion.
Yellow tea is one to savour slowly rather than rush. If you already enjoy green or white teas, it's a rewarding next step for exploring the more refined end of loose-leaf tea.
Frequently asked questions
- How is yellow tea different from green tea?
- Yellow tea uses an extra slow-resting step that mellows the leaf, giving it a smoother, sweeter and less grassy flavour than green tea.
- Why is yellow tea so rare?
- Its extra sealing-yellow step is slow and skilled work, so far fewer producers make it, which makes genuine yellow tea relatively uncommon.
- Does yellow tea contain caffeine?
- Yes. As a true tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, yellow tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine.
- How should I brew yellow tea?
- Use cooler water around 75 to 85 degrees and steep for two to three minutes to preserve its smooth, mellow sweetness.
