Wild Grown Huo Shan Huang Ya Yellow Tea

Huo Shan Yellow Tea is one of China’s three renowned yellow teas, originating from Huo Shan County in Anhui Province. Its legacy stretches back centuries—it was documented in The Classic of Tea by the Tea Sage Lu Yu and later honored as a tribute tea during the Ming dynasty. Huo Shan is also historically significant as a key base for Deng Xiaoping's Red Army during the resistance against the Japanese invasion in WWII. Today, the region is celebrated as the heartland of authentic Huo Shan Yellow Tea.

This tea is crafted from the local Jinji Zhong, meaning Golden Chicken, cultivar, prized for its high amino acid content that enhances sweetness and smoothness. Its signature yellowing process, called Men Huang, meaning sealed yellowing, sets it apart from green tea. After pan-firing and initial drying, the leaves are gently wrapped and heaped while still warm to undergo a slow, subtle fermentation. Mastering this delicate technique demands experience and skill, making yellow tea both rare and artisanal.

Our Huo Shan Yellow Tea is grown at elevations around 1,000 meters, nestled among misty bamboo forests in the mountainous Dahua Ping village, the core producing region Huo Shan county. This pristine environment is ideal for cultivating exceptional tea. Victoria captured the beauty of this landscape during her 2018 tea sourcing trip—see the photos for a glimpse of this serene terroir.

The dry leaves are pale green with subtle golden hues. Once steeped, the liquor glows a bright yellow-green, and the wet leaves mirror this vibrancy—hence the name "Three Yellow Appearances" (dry leaves, liquor, and wet leaves). The aroma is soft and sweet, with notes of wildflowers, grain, corn, and chestnut. On the palate, it is mellow and buttery, yet refreshing, with a clean, lingering sweetness.

Yellow tea is gentle on the stomach—more so than green tea—and can be brewed generously without bitterness or astringency, even after longer infusions. Like a trusted friend, this tea remains reliable, comforting, and very enjoyable.