For yellow tea producers like Cheng Fang, courting a healthy balance of microorganisms in soil, air, and plants is vital to Men Huang (闷黄), the defining"sealing" production step where small batches of freshly fired tea leaves, still warm and moist, are wrapped in cloth and left to rest in their own steam over the course of hours. This mellows astringent bite, incubates new aromatic compounds, and physically yellows the fresh green leaf. Yellow tea’s intensive craft means that it has dipped from popularity in recent years—despite Huoshan Yellow Bud being one of the specific teas the sage Lu Yu names in his eigth century ‘Classic of Tea.’ Rich and creamy withnotes of water chestnut, custard, and white pepper.
Region: Jin Zhu Ping, Anhui, China Variety: Jin Ji Zhong ('Golden Chicken Cultivar') Elevation: 600-1500m Harvest Date: April 18, 2021 (Yu Qian 'Before the Rains') Producer: Cheng Fang Brewing Recommendation: 5g tea | 340 mL water | 180°F | 3:00
