The most 'yellow' of yellow teas, produced in Pinyang for over 300 years. Rounded and sweet with candied nuts and corn combine with bright summer meadows to make an idyllic tea.
Wenzhou gold is a famous Yellow tea from Pinyang in Wenzhou (Zhejiang). It is a famous tea popular as an Imperial tribute tea in the Qing Dynasty and was a highly revered tea up until aboout 80 years ago. It went out of fashion and its production was very limited until the resurgence of Chinese tea culture especially over the last 20 years.
This tea is often sold as Pinyang Huangtang and is famously judged by the 'three yellows and one fragrance' motto. The colour of the dry leaf, tea liquor and wet leaf should all be yellow (three yellows) and the aroma should be rich in the fragrance of corn (one fragrance).
The pickings and processing of Pinyang Huangtang varies. Some tea is made using buds, others with larger leaves. This Wenzhou Gold tea is made using buds and young leaf pickings for a richness and complexity. It is yellowed using a process of pan roasting the leaves over charcoal and then covering in small packages with rice paper and leaving for a couple of hours. This 'Men Huang' yellowing process is repeated several times over a few days.
The result is a wonderfully yellow experience! One look at the leaves and the liquor and you could not mistake this tea for any other tea type - it is fluorescent and golden.
The aroma and taste are the epitome of yellow in a cup - candied hazelnuts, corn, soya, and barley. These warm and sweet notes blend with fresh mountain air, slate and bright starfruits.
Body sensation is surprisingly strong - light and woozy yet comforting and warming.
A rounded, rich and full tea which maintains an elegance and lightness to indulge and reflect in equal measure.
