Huang Jin Ya Green Tea

What's so special about this tea?

Huang Jin Ya (黄金芽) is a rare Chinese green tea recognised for the striking golden-yellow colour of its young spring shoots. Unlike most tea plants, whose new growth emerges green, Huang Jin Ya develops brilliant golden leaves under sunlight, giving rise to its name, which translates as "Golden Bud".

First identified in the late 1990s, Huang Jin Ya owes its distinctive appearance to a light-sensitive genetic trait that limits chlorophyll production in the young leaves. The resulting concentration of amino acids contributes to the harmonious balance of sweetness and umami. Less overtly vegetal than many green teas, it is known for a warmer, rounder profile with a flavour rarely encountered among Chinese green teas.

Our lot comes from a small garden in Tianhuangping, Anji County, where the same grower who produces our Anji Bai Cha cultivates a limited planting of Huang Jin Ya. In spring, the first flush emerges in shades of yellow-gold, creating a striking contrast with the neighbouring rows of Anji Bai Cha.

Harvested by hand in spring 2026 to a standard of one bud and up to two leaves, the young shoots were pan-fired and then lightly baked to bring out the milky and roasted nuts character of the cultivar.

The liquor is clear and luminous, with a soft golden hue. The brew presents a well-balanced and complex aroma, where notes of toasted corn flakes intertwine with expressive floral notes, accompanied by hints of milk and ripe fruit.

Smooth and rich on the palate, the first impression is a crisp sweetness reminiscent of rock sugar, followed by a warm roasted character of Brazil nut. A dairy-like richness emerges alongside these notes, creating a comforting mouthfeel that slowly gives way to fruity nuances reminiscent of jackfruit, followed by floral notes in the finish.