Yunnan Black Gongfu Tea, a large-leaf variety of Gongfu tea, is a distinguished new member of China's black tea family. It stands out worldwide for its unique quality characterized by plump, tightly rolled leaves, prominent golden tips, a rich aroma, and a robust flavor. Below is a detailed introduction to the grade characteristics of Yunnan Black Gongfu Tea.

The quality of Yunnan Black Gongfu Tea varies seasonally depending on the harvesting period, with spring tea generally being better than summer and autumn tea. Spring tea has stout, heavy strips with good purity and tender, even infused leaves. Summer tea, grown during the rainy season, experiences faster growth with longer internodes. Although the bud tips are visible, the purity is relatively lower, and the infused leaves appear slightly hard and mixed. Autumn tea, harvested in the dry and cool season, comes from tea plants with weakened metabolic activity, resulting in lighter body, lower purity, and less tenderness compared to spring and summer tea.

Special Grade Characteristics: The strips are tightly knit, stout, and robust. The dry tea has a dark, glossy appearance with very prominent golden tips. The liquor is bright in color. The aroma is fresh, rich, and high-lasting. The taste is strong, brisk, and stimulating. The infused leaves are evenly red, tender, and bright. It possesses a unique style within China and is a widely welcomed Gongfu black tea globally.

First Grade Characteristics: The strips are tightly knit, stout, and robust. The dry tea has a dark, glossy appearance with very prominent golden tips. The liquor is bright in color. The aroma is long-lasting. The taste is strong and brisk. The infused leaves are evenly red, tender, and bright.

Second Grade Characteristics: The strips are tightly knit, stout, and robust. The dry tea has a dark, glossy appearance with somewhat less prominent golden tips. The liquor is bright. The aroma is fresh, rich, and high-lasting. The taste is strong and brisk, though slightly less stimulating, but with a refreshing aftertaste.

Third Grade Characteristics: The strips are tightly knit, stout, and robust. The dry tea has a dark, glossy appearance with somewhat less prominent golden tips. The liquor is bright. The aroma is fresh, rich, and high-lasting. The taste is strong, brisk, and stimulating. The aroma is high, reminiscent of honey sweetness, yet also harboring an orchid fragrance. The infused leaves are tender, drinkable, and reddish-bright.

Yunnan Black Gongfu Tea features plump, tightly rolled leaves with visible golden tips on the leaf body, along with a rich aroma and flavor that delights the senses. Its stout, robust strips, tight rolling, dark glossy color, very prominent golden tips, and bright liquor make it a top-grade Gongfu tea. The above is an introduction to the grade characteristics of Yunnan Black Gongfu Tea, hoping it helps everyone understand this knowledge.