Tea is the national beverage of China and one of the world's oldest drinks. There are many types of tea, including Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong tea, White Tea, and yellow tea. Among these, yellow tea is a relatively rare type that is made by undergoing a special process of yellowing after the initial green Tea processing. Yellow tea is characterized by its golden color, elegant aroma, mellow taste, and benefits such as relieving summer heat, clearing heat and dampness, and aiding digestion.
The supreme among yellow teas is the Mengding Yellow Bud. Mengding Yellow Bud is one of the bud-shaped yellow teas, produced in Mengding Mountain, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. Tea cultivation in Mengding started in the Western Han Dynasty, about two thousand years ago, and was once a tribute to the emperors throughout history. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was rated as one of the top ten famous teas in the country. Mengding Yellow Bud has a flat and straight shape, with even shoots, a tender yellow color, visible downy tips, a lingering floral fragrance, a bright yellow liquor with a touch of green, a fresh and sweet taste, and a pale yellow leaf base that remains intact.
The origin of Mengding Yellow Bud is in Mengding Mountain, Ya'an, Sichuan. Mengding Mountain is located at the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, serving as a transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the plains of western Sichuan, and is known as the “leaky sky” between Ya'an and Ming Shan. The mountainous terrain of Mengding is undulating, with continuous ridges and steep slopes. Mengding Mountain consists of five peaks known as Shangqing, Lingjiao, Pilo, Jingquan, and Ganlu, also referred to as the Five Peaks. From afar, the Five Peaks stand out, resembling a lotus flower. Mengding Mountain is the earliest recorded place for artificial tea cultivation in Chinese history and is also the birthplace of tea manufacturing.
The geographical environment of Mengding Mountain provides ideal conditions for the growth of Mengding Yellow Bud. Mengding Mountain has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 14–15°C, an average annual rainfall of around 2,000 millimeters, more overcast days, and only about 1,000 hours of sunshine per year. It is characterized by abundant rain, frequent fog, and ample clouds. The perennial misty rain, vast expanses of fog, fertile soil, and superior environment enable the tea plants to grow luxuriantly and verdantly, resulting in higher-quality tea leaves.
The picking of Mengding Yellow Bud is also meticulous. Harvesting begins during the spring equinox when about ten percent of the buds have opened. Tender shoots and buds with the first leaf just beginning to unfurl are selected. The requirement is for plump and uniform buds, with each 500 grams of fresh shoots containing 0.8 to 10,000 buds. During harvesting, there are strict criteria for what not to pick, which include purple buds, diseased or insect-damaged buds, dew-covered buds, thin buds, and hollow buds. Freshly picked buds must be spread out promptly and processed immediately.
The production process of Mengding Yellow Bud is even more refined. Traditional stir-frying and smothering techniques are used. First, the young shoots are pan-fired, then wrapped in straw paper and placed near the stove to maintain warmth and turn yellow, allowing the tea leaves to naturally ferment in a humid and warm environment. Next, the tea is shaped, and finally, it is wrapped and dried. This process ensures that the Mengding Yellow Bud retains its golden luster, visible golden tips, a liquor that is yellow with a hint of green, a sweet and fresh aroma, and a mellow and refreshing taste.