The Vin Jaune of Jura, A Hidden Gem - Mengding Yellow Tea
If you’re a wine lover, you probably enjoy exploring a colorful array of varietals from around the globe. Isn't it is fascinating how wines from different terroirs around the world impact our palate with complex and unforgettable sensory experiences?
About 10 years ago I stumbled upon a bottle of yellow wine in a charming small town near Jura, France. It was already 5 yeas old, and the friendly shop owner suggested aging it for a few more years to reach a 10-year mark for superior taste. Fast forward a few years, when I finally popped that cork, wow! It was well worth the wait. The fond memories of tasting this wine remains to this day.
Similar to yellow wine, yellow tea is a rare category in the tea world and is only produced in China. Like the yellow wine in Jura, France, high quality yellow tea has layers and depths of flavors that is captivating to tea lovers. There are only three types of yellow tea, Jun Shan Ying Zhen yellow tea, Mengding Yellow tea, and Huo Shan yellow tea, each from different regions of China, and with their own flairs. Due to the meticulous craftsmanship and low yield involved in its production, very few tea producers make yellow tea.
There is no doubt that Mengding yellow tea is one of the best kept Chinese tea secrets, a true hidden gem. Mengding Mountain is where tea was first cultivated in China over 1,200 years ago during the Tang dynasty. The picture below shows the eight immortal tea bushes that were said to be first cultivated by the great Taoist Wu Lizhen. To produce a superior Mengding yellow tea, the tea master must use leaves from the indigenous varietal because it possesses a stronger aroma and flavor than other modernly cultivated tea bushes. The local varietal has a lower yield and a higher amount of labor involved versus the modern cultivated varietals, which results in a higher price tag. Due to China’s economic boom, however, these specialty teas are now in danger of being extinguished. This tea requires an extensive skill set that has been passed on for generations, and younger generations are unfortunately no longer willing to make tea at home villages, but instead prefer to move out to the cities in pursuit of a better living. The old tea masters are being stretched thin, making it increasingly difficult to carry on the tradition, and produce an affordable superior product for yellow tea lovers.
Like the yellow wine in Jura, France, this tea is strikingly delightful and an unforgettable sensory experience. It is nutty, has notes of sweet corn, dried fruits and cheesy notes. We proudly source this tea from the legendary Mengding mountain tea producer in Sichuan province, a truly precious specialty tea, not commonly found on the market. One should be aware that some yellow teas offered in the marketplace are not true yellow teas by definition, but instead are produced using a twisting process that makes their leaves appear yellowish like authentic yellow tea.
If you’re on the hunt for exotic and little-known teas, we highly recommend adding this unique treasure to your collection. It’s a delightful adventure just waiting to be brewed!
Happy sipping!