Yellow Tea

what is yellow tea?

Yellow tea is a rare Chinese tea style that occupies a unique position between green and white tea – more processed than white, more gently handled than green, and unlike either in flavour. It is one of the six classical categories of Chinese tea, yet it is the least produced and least exported of them all.

The defining step in yellow tea production is a process called “men huan” – or “smothering” – in which the freshly processed leaves are wrapped in cloth or paper and allowed to sit in a warm, slightly humid environment for a period of hours or days. This gentle, controlled oxidation gives yellow tea its characteristic mellow sweetness, its warm golden liquor, and its distinctively smooth, soft character that sets it apart from any green tea.

what does yellow tea taste like?

Supreme Meng Ding Yellow Tea is remarkably smooth – more so than virtually any green tea, and with a natural sweetness that is warm, mellow, and almost honeyed in quality. There is none of the grassy brightness of a green tea, nor the astringency that can accompany it.

The flavour is gentle and refined – a soft, rounded cup with a naturally sweet finish that lingers quietly long after the last sip. The golden liquor is clear and beautiful in the cup, and the silver-tipped buds open slowly during steeping to reveal their full, subtle character.

It is a tea that rewards patience and attention – not dramatic, but deeply satisfying in a way that reveals more with every careful cup.

how to brew yellow tea

Yellow tea is delicate – it benefits from lower water temperatures and gentle handling to preserve its naturally smooth, mellow character.

Water temperature: 70-75°C

Amount: 2-3g per 350ml

Steep time: 1-2 minutes

Infusions: High-quality yellow tea buds can be re-steeped 2-3 times – the second infusion often brings out the deepest sweetness and the most characteristic mellow warmth of the style.

is yellow tea caffeinated?

Yes. As a true tea (Camellia sinensis), yellow tea contains caffeine – typically in the 25-40mg per cup range, broadly similar to green tea. This is balanced by a good level of L-Theanine, which promotes the calm, focused alertness that quality teas are known for.

Its gentle, smooth character makes it a particularly pleasant mid-morning or early afternoon tea – energising without being sharp, and refined enough to drink slowly and appreciatively.

what are the health benefits?

Yellow tea retains many of the same health-supporting properties as green tea – including antioxidants, polyphenols, and EGCG – but its gentler processing means it is often easier on the stomach than green tea, making it a wonderful option for those who find green tea occasionally too astringent or acidic.

Grown at high altitude on Mengding Mountain, where the slow-growing conditions concentrate natural compounds in every bud, this yellow tea offers a particularly rich natural compound profile in an exceptionally gentle, drinkable form.

yellow tea at a glance

Our yellow tea collection celebrates one of China’s most historically significant and rarest tea styles.

Supreme Meng Ding Buds Yellow Tea: Delicate silver buds from Sichuan’s ancient Mengding Mountain – gently smothered to produce a mellow, honeyed sweetness and a velvety smooth cup of extraordinary rarity and refinement. A collector’s tea and a genuinely unique experience for the curious drinker.

can you cold brew yellow tea?

Yes – and cold brewing produces a beautifully clean, naturally sweet, and delicate cup with the full mellowness of yellow tea expressed without any risk of bitterness.

Add 2-3g of buds to 500ml of cold water and steep in the fridge for 4-6 hours.

The result is a pale, golden drink of exceptional subtlety – quietly refreshing and deeply pleasant in a way that rewards those who approach it without expectation.

how should I store yellow tea?

Yellow tea is particularly sensitive to moisture and light – store in a cool, dark, airtight container away from humidity and strong odours. Its delicate character can be diminished quickly by poor storage conditions.

For the fullest expression of its natural sweetness and smooth character, enjoy within 6-12 months of harvest. Given its rarity, yellow tea is one of the few teas we recommend prioritising freshness above all else.

is yellow tea good for beginners?

It is one of the most approachable and forgiving tea styles for those who find green tea occasionally bitter or sharp – its smooth, naturally sweet character is immediately pleasant, and brewing it correctly requires very little effort beyond using water that is not too hot.

For the curious tea drinker ready to explore beyond the familiar, yellow tea offers something genuinely rare – a style that most people never encounter, and that rewards the discovery with a cup of quiet, lasting elegance.