A Guide to Jun Shan Yellow Tea from Hunan, China
Jun Shan Yellow Tea, also known as Jun Shan Yin Zhen, ranks among the most popular teas from China’s Hunan Province. This article covers its history, characteristics, production, brewing, and preservation.
Jun Shan Yellow Tea Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | Jun Shan Yin Zhen |
| Tea Category | Yellow tea |
| Production Area | Dongting Lake, Yueyang, Hunan Province |
| Appearance | Glossy tea buds covered with fine hairs |
| Brewed Color | Orange-yellow |
| Aroma | Refreshing |
| Flavor | Sweet and nectar-like |
| Brewing Time | Approximately three minutes |
| Storage Temperature | Around 5°C |
| Long-Term Storage | Freezer |
What Is Jun Shan Yellow Tea?
People commonly call Jun Shan Yellow Tea Silver Needle tea or Jun Shan Yin Zhen in Chinese. Producers make this yellow tea near Dongting Lake in Yueyang, Hunan Province.
Jun Shan Yellow Tea History and Significance
Jun Shan Yellow Tea has a long history dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Princess Wencheng reportedly received it as part of her dowry when she married in Tibet. The tea has also held tribute-tea status within Chinese tea culture.
Geographic Factors
Dongting Lake features fertile, sandy soil. The region also provides a suitable climate for tea production, with an average annual temperature of 16–17°C and high humidity from March through September.
Characteristics of Jun Shan Yellow Tea
Jun Shan Yellow Tea consists entirely of tea buds covered with fine hairs that create a glossy appearance. It offers a refreshing aroma and produces an orange-yellow liquor when brewed. The buds stand upright in the cup and resemble needles. People often describe the tea as bright and nectar-like.
Harvesting and Production
Producing Silver Needle requires precise plucking and strict attention to timing, weather, and bud size. One pound of Silver Needle contains approximately 150,000 tea buds. Producers deactivate the enzymes, cool the leaves, bake them, and package the finished tea.
Silver Needle Brewing
Use a heat-resistant glass with an airtight lid to brew Silver Needle. Boil the water, pour it over the tea, and quickly cover the glass. Allow the tea to brew for three minutes. Once most of the buds settle at the bottom, the tea is ready to enjoy.
Premium Varieties
Premium Silver Needle contains plump, straight, uniformly sized, unopened buds. It offers a refreshing aroma, produces a light brown-yellow liquor, and delivers a sweet flavor. When brewed, the buds stand upright and float on the surface.
Storage and Preservation
Store Silver Needle carefully to maintain its quality. Use plaster and suitable packaging materials to protect it from heat, light, and oxygen. Refrigerate the tea at approximately 5°C or place it in the freezer for long-term storage.
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