Yellow tea is typically classified into three categories—bud tea, tender leaf tea, and mature leaf tea—based on the picking time and leaf size. These distinctions not only influence the quality of the tea leaves but also affect the flavor and price of the tea. Here’s a detailed introduction to these three grades of yellow tea:
Grades of Yellow Tea
Bud-type Yellow Tea (Bud Tea):This is the highest grade of yellow tea, primarily made from tender buds. These tea leaves are usually the first buds that sprout in spring, characterized by a golden color and delicate tips. The production process for bud tea is meticulous, with very high requirements for the raw materials. Due to the use of tender buds, the brewed tea is clear and possesses a strong, fresh sweetness.
Bud-leaf Type Yellow Tea (Tender Leaf Tea):Tender leaf tea is considered the medium grade of yellow tea, made mainly from one bud and one leaf or one bud and two leaves. Compared to bud tea, the raw materials for tender leaf tea are slightly more mature but still fall within the tender leaf category. The brewed tea has a golden color and a relatively smooth flavor.
Multi-leaf Type Yellow Tea (Mature Leaf Tea):Mature leaf tea represents the lower grade of yellow tea, primarily made from mature tea leaves. The leaves are larger, typically comprising one bud and three leaves or one bud and four leaves, leading to a larger yield and relatively lower price. Mature leaf tea usually has a delicate and smooth mouthfeel, with a refreshing aroma and sometimes a hint of woodiness. Various producing regions of yellow tea offer mature leaf tea, with Guangdong Dayeqing being a well-known example.
The three grades of yellow tea—bud tea, tender leaf tea, and mature leaf tea—each have their unique characteristics and flavors, allowing tea enthusiasts to choose based on personal taste preferences, desired tea qualities, and price considerations. Bud tea is favored for its limited quantity and rich flavor, tender leaf tea strikes a balance between flavor and price, while mature leaf tea offers a robust taste at an affordable price, making it suitable for most tea lovers.