Review: Golden Bud Black Tea

Golden Bud Black Tea 2019 Yunnan Feng Qing

Black tea originated in China, and there are various varieties. Compared to Indian black teas, Chinese varieties are distinctive in having sweetness and fewer tannins. Located in southern China, Yunnan province produces black tea, and due to its high elevation there is little pollution. High quality tea known as Dian Hong (滇紅 in Chinese) is created here. The first character in the name, 滇, refers to “Yunnan.”

Golden bud black tea is covered in soft, downy hairs, and is called “golden bud black tea” because the leaves look gold.

I steep 4 grams in 150ml of water at about 194-203°F (90-95°C) for 2 minutes, and taste the first infusion. It’s a clear, lovely light brown, tinged with orange. The taste has no sharp edges, and is without astringency. It has an elegant aroma, literally like honey.

I shortened the time on the second steep and gave it a taste. When drinking tea, the second infusion is perhaps the one I like the best. Because I understand that even a tea you drink many times can have a different flavor by using different temperatures and steep times, I drink the first infusion with the intention of testing it. On the second infusion, I can finally relax and enjoy the taste of the tea itself. I was able to enjoy its mellow, round taste to my heart’s content. If the second steep is delicious, I become very happy. Even with a infusion time, it was properly full-bodied, and exactly like a rich pumpkin pudding. It seems like it would be delicious even with milk.

Even after 5 or 6 steeps, the color and flavor are still well developed, and it hasn’t lost its richness. Even after lengthening the steep time, astringency did not appear much.

Even among other Chinese teas, black tea has a high fermentation degree, is gentle on the stomach, and has a warming effect on the body. I drink it frequently, other than at the height of summer. When temperatures drop and it starts to feel like autumn, black tea becomes even more delicious. I’m excited to think about what kinds of tea I’ll enjoy this winter.

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