Yunnan Golden Tips Black Tea
Honey, malt and cocoa in a plush, golden-brown cup, from the buds of Fengqing's big-leaf tea.
Yunnan golden tips is Dian Hong made mostly from the plant's golden buds, in Fengqing County, Yunnan. The cup is smooth and sweet, with honey, malt and cocoa, in a light amber liquor. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 52 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 21.7 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 194°F / 90°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 90°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 90°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 52 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Not too hot
Buds are tender: water that is too hot loses depth, so stay near 90°C.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Yunnan golden tips is Dian Hong made mostly from the plant's golden buds, in Fengqing County, Yunnan. The cup is smooth and sweet, with honey, malt and cocoa, in a light amber liquor. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Origin & Story
Fengqing County, in the west of Yunnan, is where Dian Hong began in 1938. The trees there are tall, vigorous, large-leaf bushes of Camellia sinensis var. assamica, and a tea made from their buds shows as visible golden tips on the dry leaf.
A golden tips tea is picked for its buds. After oxidation they turn a golden color, and sellers say they bring a silky sweetness and a soft, rounded body. Look for slender, glossy leaf with plenty of gold, which should open to a bright red leaf in the cup.
In the cup, expect a light, fragrant amber liquor with a smooth taste: mild maltiness, honey, cocoa and a hint of chocolate, sometimes with a light floral aroma. Different Dian Hong grades range from robust and malty to delicate and silky, and a golden tips lot sits at the delicate, silky end. Sellers say teas from western Yunnan, around Fengqing, leave a refreshing, sweet aftertaste, while southern Yunnan teas are more robust.
Use water at about 90°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, steep for three to four minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain first. A good lot gives several infusions, and in gongfu style 4 g in 100 ml at the same temperature gives short ones of 20 to 30 seconds.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 82/100 |
| Acidity | 44/100 |
| Bitterness | 30/100 |
| Body | 78/100 |
| Aroma | 92/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Yunnan Golden Tips Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 52 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Yunnan Golden Tips Black Tea?
Target 90°C (194°F).
How long should Yunnan Golden Tips Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What are Yunnan golden tips?
They are the golden buds of Yunnan's large-leaf tea. After oxidation the buds turn golden, and a tea made mostly of them is sweet and smooth, with honey, malt and cocoa notes.
How should I brew Yunnan golden tips?
Use water at about 90°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, steeped for three to four minutes. For gongfu style, 4 g in 100 ml at the same temperature gives short steeps of 20 to 30 seconds.
Who should avoid Yunnan Golden Tips Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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