Tea Provinces of China
Yunnan Province
Yunnan, literally translated from Pinyin, means “south of the clouds”, is located in the far south of the country below the Yunling Mountains. It is vast region stretching from the Tibetan Himalaya to Vietnam and is home to snow-capped mountains and tropical environments that allow it to support an array of species and vegetation types. Some of the world’s most unusual and rich teas are found here.
In the southwestern portion of the province, where temperatures are hot and steamy, indigenous wild tea trees grow in thick, old-growth forests. The Six Famous Mountains region, located in the mountainous Xishuangbanna district, is the most famous area for these tea trees. The trees are calculated to be five hundred to a thousand years old and serve as living reminder of tea’s rich ancestry and provide the leaf, either the Camellia Sinensis’ varietal Assamica or a local varietal known as Yunnan Big Leaf or “dayeh”, used to make Pu-erh tea.
Quality Yunnan black teas made from local indigenous leaves can be exceptional. These teas offer a full bodied and sweet taste with notes of malt. If persistent, a Yunnan Green can be found offering a beautifully shaped leaf and a wonderfully sweet cup.
Yunnan Province Teas
Green Beencha (Lu Bian Cha)
Pungent, malty green cake (Sheng) from Xiaguan Tea Factory, in Dali, Yunnan Province, approx. 357 grams, produced 1999.
$44.00 each
Old Trees Puerh (Lao Shu Cha)
A large leaf Puerh harvested in 2005 from old trees in Yunnan Province. Leaves are "cooked" and a deep brown color. A rich mix of thick leaves and stems, taste is earthy yet moderate given the age and size of the trees. Cups to a rich deep rust color and a very earthy aroma. Good value as this tea will steep numerous times!
$10.00 per 1/4 lb.
Small Golden Shoot (Jin Ya Xiao Bian)
Aromatic dark disk of a rich brown color flecked with golden leaf buds. Cups to a full brown color with a delicious earthy aroma and refined sweet taste. Excellent as a morning beverage and with food. 100 gram disk manufactured in 2005.
$22.00 each
Yunnan Black (Yunnan Hong Cha)
Our Yunnan Black is husky and full of flavor. Flat, black leaves are speckled with distinctive golden buds to yield an excellent morning or afternoon beverage. Our black is definitely on the tippy side encouraging sweetness. Nuanced and full bodied, exceptionally smooth and refreshing. It also makes a good iced tea. Steep just below boiling for 2 – 3 minutes.
$8.00 per 1/4 lb.
Yunnan Gold (Dian Jin)
Rich black tea from Yunnan Province made of large leaf, golden buds. This Yunnan Gold is classic, characterized by curled, golden–brown leaves and a distinctive reddish liquor with a wonderful spicy, husky and sweet flavor. A freshing tea that is good most anytime. Use 2-3 grams of leaf, steep 2–3 minutes at just below boiling.
$20.00 per 1/4 lb.