Black, green, white, magenta. It's not about the color palette. About a noble, invigorating drink that gives warmth and comfort. Tea. One shade is missing from the list. Yellow. He recently appeared on our shelves. And I still haven't found a large number of fans. Most likely, due to the high cost and narrow range of domestic sellers. The best varieties of yellow tea are few. But, more correctly, all of its varieties are unique in their own way. After all, it is not for nothing that tea for many centuries was available only to Emperors and noble nobles. And that's not all over the world. But only in China.

A bit of history

The original tea has been known since ancient times. It is worth noting that tea bushes do not differ in species. The taste of the drink depends on the growing conditions, the quality of the raw materials, and the method of preparation. In China, tea trees for the production of yellow tea are grown on the high plateaus in the provinces of Anhui, Huan and Sichuan. Only full or fat buds and a few fresh leaves are processed.

Cooking methods have evolved over the centuries. The drink could not be taken out of the country. In the Middle Kingdom, he was also inaccessible to mere mortals. It was served to exceptionally high ranks. And no wonder. The buds from one bush are harvested 1 kg of fresh raw material, which loses in weight after fermentation.

Collecting tea leaves is like a ritual.

• The day before the start of work, employees are prohibited from using cosmetics or perfumery, as well as drinking and smoking.
• On the day of collection, they bathe and put on clean clothes.
• The collection is still done manually today.
• All work stops when it starts to rain.

During and after collection, the raw materials are sorted. Too long or too short leaves, empty and damaged buds are discarded. Within 3 days, it is dried on trays, and only then goes to slow fermentation. During it, the tea acquires a yellow color and an original taste with smoky notes.

How to choose the right one

Unfortunately, yellow tea is rare in retail stores. Sometimes presented in assortment in large shopping centers in big cities. This is the best variant. You can personally verify the quality of the product and its compliance with the characteristics declared by the seller.

But more often than not, the raw materials for making a fragrant drink will have to be ordered online, completely relying on the honesty and integrity of the seller. When choosing, pay attention to the timing of collection, packaging and storage. It is better to choose tea in a tin package. It's good if you have friends who can recommend a trusted supplier.

How to store it correctly

Choosing the right yellow tea is not enough. You need to know how to store it correctly. Unique taste and aroma can kill off harsh odors, bright sunlight, electric lighting, high temperatures. Tea is stored in a cool room in sealed and opaque packaging, away from coffee or spices.

How to brew properly

In China, tea drinking is a real ceremony with the observance of certain actions and rules. In Europe, things are not so complicated. But, yellow tea still requires a special, careful attitude.To obtain a fragrant drink, you need glass, porcelain or ceramic dishes, 2-5 grams of dry sheet, thick cotton cloth and water at a temperature of 80-85 degrees. Higher temperatures are destructive for substances contained in leaves and buds.

• The containers are pre-heated with hot water to 50-60 degrees.
• Pour a dry leaf. Its amount depends on the volume of the teapot, and taste preferences. As a rule, 4-5 grams per 100 ml is enough to reveal all the flavor characteristics and get a moderately tart drink.
• The sheet is poured with hot water. Cover the container with a cloth and let the tea brew for 10-15 seconds.

This cooking method is called the spill method. Most kidneys can withstand up to 10 treatments. True, the time for infusing the drink is increased to 15-20 seconds.

Interesting fact! For brewing elite kidney tea, it is better to use a glass container to enjoy the magnificent dance of tea leaves.

Rating of the best varieties of yellow tea

It should be noted that the list of yellow tea varieties is rather short. As for the Chinese production, there are only five of them. As mentioned above, only at the beginning of the last century did it come to Europe. And each manufacturer keeps the recipe for its preparation in strict confidence. The tea leaves are processed by hand and the taste largely depends on the master. But, none of them has the right to name the variety. Therefore, the list is limited to the number of provinces in which raw materials are grown and harvested.

In China, they prefer to produce several elite varieties that can be sold for good money than to spend energy on the production of drinks with fillings, additives and flavors. However, today there are manufacturers in Egypt, India and even Russia trying to establish mass production of yellow tea.

In general, you will have to choose from large and small teas, in accordance with taste preferences and the size of the wallet. When ordering, its capacity will play a significant role. In addition, teas are divided into small and large, depending on the size of the leaves used to prepare the product.

Small varieties

Often, when compiling a rating of high-quality varieties of yellow tea, not only small ones, but also kidney ones are distinguished. The latter rank first among the elite species. They cost a lot. But they are also in high demand. For their production, only young, unopened buds are plucked from the bush. They must be of equal size, heavy, slightly pubescent and free from the slightest sign of damage by insects or diseases.

Healthy buds are also chosen for small species. But they will already be in bloom with 1-2 small leaves. By the way, the name of each variety sounds very melodic, tells about the place where tea bushes grow and reveals the main characteristics of the aromatic drink.

Jun Shan Yin Zhen

Translated into Russian "Silver needles from the Jun-shan mountain". This is a truly elite drink made exclusively from unopened, fluffy buds. For their silvery color, it got its romantic name.

Sometimes the variety is called Imperial. According to the legend, when the brewed drink was served to the Emperor, he noticed that the tea leaves were lined up in vertical rows and slowly rise and fall. One of the advisers said that in this way the tea leaves greet His Majesty, sometimes saluting him, then bowing his head.

Tea is produced by repeated heating on hot coals, followed by cooling. After that, for a long time gaining strength and aroma. When dry, its tea leaves remain heavy, but acquire an olive hue and a spicy aroma of flowering herbs.

When brewed, tea with a rich golden or apricot hue is obtained. The taste and soft aroma are intertwined with floral and herbaceous notes. The taste of nuts and tropical berries is gradually revealed. There is practically no aftertaste. Which makes you want to brew another cup.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

The disadvantages include high cost. From 800 to 1200 rubles for 25 grams.

Meng Ding Huang Ya

The yellow buds from Meng Ding Mountain are harvested in Sichuan province. The plantations are located among mountain meadows at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. It is believed that the first cultivated tea tree was developed in the south of China. And tea would be available only to the imperial family and a narrow circle of nobles.

The crystal purity of the air and the aromas of wildflowers give it an unusual taste, absolutely uncharacteristic of yellow teas. It has no rotten grass and smoky notes despite being prepared in the usual slow fermentation process.

It is similar in aroma to white tea. But opening up during tea drinking, it reveals a light trail of sun-dried tomatoes. In terms of astringency and invigorating qualities, it is not inferior to the best varieties of green tea. The taste is dominated by floral and fruity features, as well as sweet motives. An interesting point. The feeling of cheerfulness does not appear immediately, but two to three hours after drinking the wheat-colored drink.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

It is usually sold in a round metal container with a screw cap. The cost of one package of 50 grams is 2400-2600 rubles.

Ho Shan Huang Ya

It is also called Hawthorne's Yellow Kidney, which is not entirely true. The collection falls on the month of April. The workers tear off the already opened bud and grab 1-2 young leaves with it. It is being prepared within 2 days. The collected raw materials are sorted, dried in ceramic dishes over low heat, then the cycle of roasting and cooling goes through two times.

The variety was known as early as the Tang era. Then it was made in the form of small disks. For a long time, there was a tradition among the noble people of China to give tea "Hoshan Huang Ya" as a sign of respect.

Today, loose tea or, as we call it, leaf tea, is on sale. Raw material is a half-open bud with a slight grayish pubescence and a pair of medium-sized leaves. The aroma is very delicate. It has the smell of young needles and tender spring greenery, accompanied by a trail of dried or baked notes.

The golden drink is elegant and versatile. Light floral motifs are intertwined with the taste of baked chestnuts and sweet candies. A fresh, pine aroma hovers over the cup.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

The price of 50 grams of raw materials is 800-1000 rubles.

Large varieties

They are also unique in taste. But much lower in cost. To prepare raw materials, half-opened buds and 2-3 leaves are torn off.

Wei Shan Mao Jian

Translated as "fluffy blades". Fat buds and 3-4 leaves are processed. After fermentation, the dark olive-colored tea leaves become thinner and look like the edge of a straight razor. Due to its bright taste, it is included in the top ten imperial teas.

The drink is really unique. The aroma of meadow clover and honey notes, the bright taste of dried fruits allow you to forget about all the problems and plunge into the feeling of bliss and peace, squeezing a thin cup in your hands. For brewing this variety, choose porcelain or earthenware. And the drink is enjoyed in solitude.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

The cost depends on the date of collection of the tea leaves. Collected in the spring, they have better characteristics, and, accordingly, are more expensive. On average, you will have to pay from 800 to 1200 rubles for 50 grams.

Huo Shan Da Cha

A variety for true gourmets and connoisseurs of unique drinks. Outwardly similar to leafy green tea. But, as soon as it is brewed, its original taste is revealed. The first is the taste of vanilla pie, which is replaced by the taste of roasted pumpkin seeds and dried vegetables. They are replaced by a refreshing cucumber aftertaste.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

The cost of tea is relatively affordable, 700-800 rubles per 50 grams. But, it is this variety that is most often faked, passing off as an elite tea, green large-leaf.

The range of yellow teas is small. If the seller offers a wide assortment, cleverly juggling incomprehensible phrases, you should be on your guard. At best, he tries to sell the same variety harvested in different years under different names. At worst, it offers a fake or a sheet of low-quality raw materials for a lot of money. It will be a shame to be disappointed in a unique drink due to the fault of an unscrupulous person.

Do not forget that the taste of yellow tea is original, but somewhat specific. He is not suitable for everyone. But, if you pick up your variety, then make friends with him for many years.