Y-CN-003

Mengding Huangya

蒙顶黄芽

Yellow bud, from Sichuan, China.

Yellow tea

Mengding Huangya is strongest on sweetness, smoothness and umami. Typical tasting words: chestnut, steamed greens, honey, apricot, biscuit. Mount Meng has a documented tea-growing history exceeding two thousand years, with Mengding Huangya serving as an imperial tribute tea through several dynasties. Renowned in Sichuan tea culture, typically served in clear glass or gaiwan to showcase its uniform tender golden buds.

Also known as Meng Ding Huang Ya and Mengding Yellow Sprout.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency1umami3brightness2body2smoothness4aroma intensity3finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral2fruity1vegetal3marine0nutty3toasty2malty1honey2spicy0woody0earthy0smoky0creamy1citrus0stone fruit1tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Sichuan, China
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Mengding Qunti
Harvest: early spring (pre-Qingming)
Elevation: high
Oxidation: 5 to 12%
Roast: very light
Leaf: needle
Price band: premium
Availability: specialist
Ageing: a little
Forgiving to brew: 4 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: plucking, then pan-firing, then first smothering, then shaping, then second smothering, then drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Mengding Huangya carries a typical estimate of 40 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 50 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 g	80 to 85 °C	2 min, 3 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	4.5 g	80 to 85 °C	25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s, 2 min
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	6 to 10 hours

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

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
morning
midday
meditation

Pairs with dim_sum, sushi and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.