Y-CN-002

Junshan Yinzhen

君山银针

Yellow needle, from Hunan, China.

Yellow tea

Junshan Yinzhen is strongest on smoothness, sweetness and finish length. Typical tasting words: chestnut, honeycomb, biscuit, apricot, sweet pea. Grown on Junshan Island in Lake Dongting, this tea was a famed imperial tribute item and represents the archetypal yellow needle style. Often served in tall glass cups to observe the needles standing upright and bobbing vertically during infusion.

Also known as Jun Shan Yin Zhen and Silver Needles of Junshan Island.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness0astringency1umami2brightness1body3smoothness5aroma intensity3finish length4

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral1fruity2vegetal2marine0nutty3toasty2malty2honey3spicy0woody0earthy0smoky0creamy2citrus0stone fruit1tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Hunan, China
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Junshan Qun Ti Zhong
Harvest: early spring
Elevation: low
Oxidation: 8 to 15%
Roast: very light
Leaf: needle
Price band: luxury
Availability: specialist
Ageing: a little
Forgiving to brew: 4 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: plucking, then pan-firing, then primary smothering, then primary drying, then secondary smothering, then baking.

Caffeine

A cup of Junshan Yinzhen carries a typical estimate of 40 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 55 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.

How to brew it

Method	Leaf	Water	Steeps
Western, 250 ml	3.5 g	80 to 85 °C	3 min, 4 min, 5 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	4.5 g	80 to 85 °C	35 s, 40 s, 50 s, 70 s, 90 s, 2 min
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 12 hours

Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
midday
meditation
relaxing

Pairs with dim_sum and pastry. Milk: no. Iced: no. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.