2025 Meng Ding Huang Ya “Yellow Bud” Yellow Tea

Meng Ding Huang Ya (“Yellow Bud”) is a prized yellow tea originating from the slopes of Mengding Mountain in Ya'an, a region with one of China’s earliest recorded tea plantations. Made from tender buds, it showcases the layered craftsmanship of premium yellow tea. This 2025 harvest comes from Fudansi on Mengding Mountain at 1060–1100 meters. This tea is crafted by Lu Dan, a recognized inheritor of Meng Ding Huang Ya’s intangible cultural heritage.

Hand-plucked in early spring during the first flush on March 21, the fresh buds undergo a precise, multi-stage sequence: withering and an initial pan-firing to stabilize them; sealed-yellow once; then four successive cycles of pan-firing and sealing-yellow. After that, the leaves are straightened and finished with three rounds of controlled drying, building layered mellowness while preserving clarity. This interleaving of heat and resting creates the signature soft oxidation and rounded sweetness without heaviness.

The dry leaves show a delicate yellow-brown hue and release layered aromas of plum and spring blossoms. The infusion yields a luminous golden-yellow liquor with a honeyed fragrance and a silky texture. On the palate, it is clean yet nuanced—bright floral top notes settle into a sustained, gently sweet finish. Meng Ding Huang Ya rewards attention with subtle depth and refined elegance.