Yunnan Golden Snail Black Tea

Yunnan Golden Snail Dian Hong is a premium black tea renowned for its unique hand-rolled “snail” shape and luxurious, sweet, malty flavor. Made from tender spring buds, this tea combines ancient Yunnan tea-growing traditions with refined processing techniques. Each spiral-shaped leaf unfurls to release a rich, smooth cup that embodies the essence of Yunnan’s sun-kissed highlands.

Tea Profile

• Type: Fully oxidized black tea.

• Origin: High-altitude tea gardens in Yunnan, China (e.g., Fengqing, Lincang), where ideal climate and soil conditions yield exceptional tea leaves.

Fengqing, Yunnan: A Historical Epic of Tea Cultivation

Nestled in the misty mountains of western Yunnan, Fengqing County boasts a tea history spanning over 3,500 years, home to the world’s oldest cultivated tea tree—the 5,000-year-old “Xiangzhuqing” ancient tree. As the birthplace of Dian Hong (Yunnan black tea), Fengqing revolutionized tea in 1938 when tea master Feng Shaoqiu blended local large-leaf varietals with innovative processing techniques, creating the iconic malty, golden-tipped black tea that captivated global markets.

The region’s tea culture is intertwined with the Ancient Tea Horse Road, where caravans traded Fengqing’s teas for centuries across Tibet and Southeast Asia. Today, Fengqing preserves traditions while leading Yunnan’s modern tea industry, celebrating an annual Tea Festival to honor its legacy of craftsmanship, biodiversity, and the enduring spirit of tea.

• Cultivation Conditions:
  Grown at elevations of 1,500–2,000 meters in mineral-rich red soil with abundant sunshine, cool nights, and misty mornings. These conditions enhance the tea’s natural sweetness and complexity.

• Harvest Season:
  Exclusively harvested in spring (March–April) when the tea bushes produce their most tender buds and leaves.

Flavor & Sensory Experience

• Appearance: Dominated by golden-orange hues with abundant fuzzy tips, giving the leaves a bright, gilded appearance, brewed into a bright reddish-gold liquor.

• Aroma: Sweet and inviting with notes of honey, caramel, fresh cocoa, and baked yams.

• Taste: Silky smooth and medium-bodied with flavors of malt, ripe apricot, and a hint of chocolate. The finish is clean, sweet, and lingering.

• Mouthfeel: Velvety and round with no astringency.

Brewing Recommendations

1. Teaware: Use a porcelain teapot or a glass cup to appreciate its beautiful color and aroma.

2. Water Temperature: 90–95°C (194–203°F).

3. Leaf-to-Water Ratio: 3–4 grams per 200ml of water.

4. Steeping Skills:

   • First infusion: Pour water vigorously along the inner wall of the vessel in a circular motion to stimulate aroma. Immediately decant the tea soup within 5-8 seconds (this step rinses and awakens the tea; discard the liquid).

   • Second to Fifth Infusions: Pour water gently to avoid over-extracting bitterness. Increase the brewing time incrementally by 5-10 seconds per infusion (e.g., 10 seconds for the second infusion, 15 seconds for the third, and so on).

   • Subsequent Infusions: As the tea flavor weakens, extend brewing time to 30-60 seconds and increase water temperature to 95°C to enhance extraction.

Health Benefits

Rich in antioxidants and theaflavins, this tea may help boost energy, support cardiovascular health, aid digestion, and enhance mental focus. Its low bitterness makes it ideal for drinking without additives.

Perfect For

• For those new to black tea or seeking a gentle, sweet daily brew.

• Afternoon tea sessions or pairing with light desserts.

• Gifting tea lovers due to its unique appearance and exquisite taste.

A symbol of Yunnan’s tea artistry, Golden Snail Dian Hong offers a sip of pure golden indulgence.