Extensive Range
Choose from our huge range of loose leaf teas, carefully selected from around the world
Up to 30% Bulk Discounts
Save up to 30% when you order multiple items. More information
Freshly Packed to Order
Our teas are carefully packed to order to preserve aroma, freshness, and flavour
This sweet and well-rounded tea offers soft and subtle flavours, and a lovely silky aftertaste, making it perfect for enjoying first thing in the day.
Ingredients
China Black Tea
Allergens
While we try to keep to the strictest standards in our treatment of allergens, please be aware that our factory handles nuts, milk and soy ingredients. Please check our ingredients lists for specific information on each tea.
Your Guide to Yunnan Tea
This Chinese black tea, also known as Dianhong tea, is grown in Yunnan Province in China, one of the country’s most important tea-growing regions and sometimes referred to as the birthplace of tea. Yunnan tea differs in several ways from other Chinese black teas, such as the amount of leaf buds visible in the dried tea, while the higher-quality Yunnan leaves are uniformly coated in golden-orange bud hairs.
The tea can also be classified using the Orange Pekoe grading system.
Often seen as a high-end gourmet tea, Yunnan offers well-rounded, sweet and subtle flavours and is frequently used in a variety of blended teas.
Sections
- The History of Yunnan Tea
- Varieties of Yunnan Tea
- Reviews of Yunnan Tea
- FAQs
The History of Yunnan Tea
Prior to the Han Dynasty, the teas grown in Yunnan were typically a form similar to modern pu erh tea, with Yunnan black tea being relatively new to the region and production likely beginning in the early 20th century. As the name suggests, Yunnan comes from China’s Yunnan Province, where pu-erh is still produced in large quantities.
Yunnan tea also goes by the name Dianhong tea, a combination of the shortened name for Yunnan Province, Dian, and hong, meaning red, a reference to the red liquor of the brewed tea. Yunnan is usually grown in mountainous regions, where the high elevations and climate provide ideal conditions for tea growing.
Yunnan tea has come to be associated with a range of health benefits.
- Supporting weight loss by helping reduce fat lipids and promote digestion.
- Alleviating nausea, with some believing that compounds released during preparation may help with this.
- Offering anti-inflammatory effects and potentially helping to treat infections.
Varieties of Yunnan Tea
Yunnan tea is produced in a range of varieties and is often classified by the Orange Pekoe grading system.
Broken Yunnan
A relatively inexpensive variety, dark in colour, with few golden buds and a fairly bitter taste.
This tea is classified as BOP in the Orange Pekoe grading system.
Yunnan Gold
Showing a balance of golden buds and black tea leaves, this variety is vibrant red in colour.
This tea is classified from OP to TGFOP in the Orange Pekoe grading system.
Yunnan Pure Gold
Made primarily from golden buds, this bright red tea offers sweet flavours and a subtle, gentle aroma.
This tea is classified from TGFOP to SFTGFOP in the Orange Pekoe grading system.
Golden Needle
These pure black leaves have no golden buds and create a brewed tea that is rich amber in colour.
Reviews of Yunnan Tea
Below is a selection of comments from customers who have enjoyed Yunnan tea.
“My favourite breakfast tea. Quite strong and a little smoky.”
“Lovely distinctive flavour which also mixes well with a good Nilgiri or large leafed Ceylon.”
“The perfect breakfast or break time cup of tea.”
“Great tea at a great price.”
FAQs
What Does Yunnan Tea Taste Like?
The flavours of Yunnan tea are subtle and nuanced and vary across varieties. Yunnan can be malty and chocolatey, sometimes with notes of spice and a lasting sweetness, with comparisons often drawn to the flavours of a Keemun black tea.
Our Yunnan tea is sweet and well-rounded, making it perfect for enjoying first thing in the day.
How Should I Prepare Yunnan Loose Leaf Tea?
Yunnan tea should be prepared using freshly boiled water. Filtered tap water or bottled spring water are the best options. Heat your teapot and cup by filling them with hot water and carefully pouring it away. Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea leaves into your teapot with 240 ml of water, then allow the tea to steep for two minutes, taking care not to over-brew the leaves as they may become slightly bitter. If your tea is a bit too weak, you can add an extra teaspoon of leaves next time you brew.
Where Can I Buy the Best Yunnan Tea?
When sourcing Yunnan leaf tea online, there are fine Yunnan loose leaf teas available for those looking for high-quality varieties.
We deliver across the UK and to selected EU countries using Royal Mail. Available delivery options and charges are shown at checkout. Our standard delivery service takes 1–2 working days.
Some third-party supplied products may have different delivery times and costs, which will be clearly shown at checkout.
Some equipment may be shipped directly from the manufacturer. Where this applies, full delivery details will be provided at checkout.
All of our teas remain fresh unopened for up to 12 months.