Yellow tea (Huang cha)

Yellow tea is a rare and expensive tea variety native to China. Just like white tea, yellow tea falls in the category of lightly oxidized tea varieties. It is characterized by its complex aromatic profile, medium body, and bright, clean, and lingering flavor.

The production of this distinctive type is similar to the manufacturing of green tea. Apart from regular steps in which the tea leaves are withered and fixed, the leaves for yellow tea also have an additional step of sealed yellowing—in which they are steamed and wrapped in a cloth—which helps the leaves lose their distinctive grassy note.

While there are many low-quality imitations available on the market, because of its complex manufacturing process, it is quite challenging to find an authentic Chinese yellow tea. Although it has not been researched thoroughly, yellow tea is also often praised for its supposed health benefits.

Due to its delicate character, this tea is best paired with simple and light food such as nuts and pastries.