YXT Jingyang Golden Flower Fu Tea - First Grade - Yellow Can 300g

• Tea Type: Fu Brick Tea (茯砖茶, Fúzhuān Chá) / Post-Fermented Dark Tea (黑茶, Hēichá)
• Origin Region: Qinling-Qinba Mountain Area, Southern Shaanxi Province, China
• Raw Material Source: YXT's own tea gardens in Ziyang and Nanzheng counties, Hanzhong
• Leaf Grade: First-Grade Dark Tea (一级黑毛茶) — exceptionally high for Fu tea
• Production Vintage: 2020–2023 Spring harvests (batch may vary)
• Manufacturer: Jingyang Manzi Fu Tea Co., Ltd. (永兴泰/YXT brand), est. 2012
• Certification: Jingyang Brick Tea Geographical Indication (GI) Protected Product
• Flowering Status: Fully flowered; abundant visible golden flowers (Eurotium cristatum)
• Format: Pre-broken pieces, sealed in yellow tin with inner paper box
• Net Weight: 300g per tin
• Flavor Character: Clean, mellow, subtly sweet; no off-notes or harsh bitterness — characteristic of high-altitude Shaanxi terroir
• Recommended For: Daily drinking, extended steeping/simmering, beginners and collectors alike

Dry Leaf Appearance & Aroma

The pre-broken pieces display a rich, dark brown color interspersed with visible golden-yellow speckles—the prized "golden flowers." The dry aroma is inviting: aged wood, a hint of grain sweetness, and a subtle fungal mustiness reminiscent of a clean cellar or dried mushrooms.

Wet Leaf Appearance & Aroma

Once steeped, the leaves unfurl to reveal their first-grade quality—relatively intact, tender segments with an even, dark chestnut hue. The wet aroma deepens into warm notes of toasted barley, sweet hay, and a gentle earthiness.

Liquor Color

Bright and clear amber-orange, with excellent transparency that speaks to clean processing—like sunlight filtered through autumn leaves.

Taste & Mouthfeel

The first sip delivers a smooth, almost creamy texture that coats the palate gently. Expect flavors of:

• Roasted grain and toasted wheat
• Subtle dried fruit sweetness (think dates or apricot)
• A whisper of aged wood and walnut
• Clean mineral undertones

There is no bitterness, no astringency, and absolutely no musty or off-putting notes—just pure, polished smoothness.

Empty Cup Aroma

After finishing, the empty cup retains a warm, sweet fragrance—honeyed grain with lingering woody depth.

Aftertaste (回甘, Huígān)

A gentle, lasting sweetness emerges in the throat and back of the mouth, accompanied by a subtle cooling sensation. The finish is long and clean, inviting you to reach for another cup.

Body Sensation (茶气, Cháqì)

This tea produces a mild, spreading warmth that begins in the chest and radiates outward—comforting without being overpowering. Many drinkers report a sense of calm alertness and digestive ease, especially when enjoyed after meals.

Q1: What flavor profile can I expect from this tea?

This YXT Jingyang Fu Tea offers a remarkably clean and approachable flavor, especially for a post-fermented dark tea. Imagine sipping something between a smooth, roasted barley tea and a mellow aged oolong, with none of the aggressive earthiness some dark teas carry. The dominant notes are toasted grain, gentle dried fruit sweetness (similar to dates or soft apricot), and a subtle nuttiness like roasted walnut. There is a pleasant fungal character from the golden flowers—not "mushroomy" in a strong sense, but more like the sweet, earthy fragrance of a pristine forest floor. The texture is notably silky, and the aftertaste leaves a honeyed, slightly cooling sweetness that lingers pleasantly. Because first-grade leaves are used, bitterness and roughness are virtually absent.

Q2: Why does this tea use first-grade leaves, and how does that differ from traditional Fu Brick Tea?

Historically, Fu Brick Tea was produced using coarser, lower-grade leaves, as it was originally a utilitarian beverage for the Silk Road trade. Higher-grade leaves were reserved for other tea types. YXT breaks this convention by selecting first-grade dark tea leaves (一级黑毛茶) from their own Qinling highland gardens. The difference is immediately noticeable: finer leaves yield a smoother, sweeter, and more refined liquor with greater complexity and less roughness. You get the authentic golden-flower character and warming body sensation of Fu tea, but with an elegance and drinkability that coarser versions lack. It is the difference between a workhorse and a thoroughbred—both serve, but one elevates the experience.

Q3: How does this Yellow Can differ from the Red Can sister product?

Both tins come from YXT and share the same convenient pre-broken format, but the key difference lies in leaf grade. This Classic Yellow Can uses first-grade dark tea leaves, delivering excellent smoothness and value for everyday enjoyment. The Classic Red Can uses special-grade (特级, Tèjí) leaves—the highest classification—offering even more delicacy, sweetness, and refinement, suited for those seeking a premium experience or a meaningful gift. If you are new to Fu tea or want a reliable daily drinker, the Yellow Can is ideal. If you want to explore the pinnacle of what Fu tea can offer, the Red Can awaits.

Q4: What makes Qinling Mountain (Shaanxi) Fu tea different from Anhua (Hunan) Fu tea?

While Anhua in Hunan Province is famous for its dark teas, Jingyang in Shaanxi is the original and only birthplace of Fu Brick Tea, with over 600 years of documented history. The Qinling-Qinba mountain terroir produces raw material with a distinctly cleaner, sweeter, and lighter character compared to the bolder, more robustly earthy Anhua teas. Shaanxi highland leaves grown in YXT's own gardens at elevations where cool mists prevail tend to yield a more elegant, less heavy cup. Additionally, the unique Jingyang microclimate along the Jing River provides ideal conditions for the "flowering" fermentation process, producing golden flowers with exceptional density and quality.

Gongfu Style (功夫茶, Gōngfū Chá) — Recommended for Connoisseurs

1. Prepare Teaware
   Use a 100–150 ml gaiwan or a Yixing clay teapot.
2. Measure the Tea
   Add 5–7 g of broken Fu Brick Tea pieces.
3. Heat the Water
   Use 95–100°C (203–212°F) water — fully boiling is perfectly suitable.
4. Rinse the Leaves
   Do one quick rinse (3–5 seconds) and discard the water to awaken the tea.
5. Begin Brewing
6. 1st infusion: steep for 10–15 seconds
7. Subsequent infusions: increase steep time by 5–10 seconds each round
8. Enjoy Multiple Steeps
   Expect 10–15+ infusions, with the flavor evolving gradually over time.

Simmering Method (煮茶, Zhǔ Chá) — Highly Recommended

This method extracts the deepest, richest flavor from Fu Brick Tea.

1. Add 5–8g of tea pieces to 500–800ml of cold or room-temperature water in a heat-safe pot or kettle.
2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3–5 minutes.
3. Pour and enjoy. You may continue adding water and simmering 2–3 more times.

The result is a thick, sweet, deeply warming cup—ideal for cold weather or after heavy meals.

Infusion Flask / Thermos Method (闷泡, Mèn Pào) — Ideal for Convenience

1. Place 3–5g of tea in a thermos or insulated infusion flask.
2. Add 300–500ml of freshly boiled water.
3. Seal and let steep for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
4. Enjoy throughout the day—the tea remains warm and flavorful for hours.

This method is perfect for office, travel, or anyone who wants rich Fu tea flavor without fuss.

Western Style (Large Mug or French Press)

1. Measure the Tea
   Use 3–4 g of tea for every 300 ml of water.
2. Heat the Water
   Prepare water at 95–100°C (203–212°F).
3. Brew the Tea
4. First brew: steep for 3–5 minutes
5. Later brews: extend the steeping time as desired
6. Number of Infusions
   Expect 2–3 brews from each portion of tea.

A French press works particularly well—simply press and pour when ready.

Note: Cold brewing is not recommended for Fu Brick Tea. The golden flower compounds and full-bodied character develop best with sustained heat.

Storage Recommendations

• Environment: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, strong odors, and moisture.
• Container: Keep in the original tin with the lid firmly closed, or transfer to a clean, odor-free ceramic or tin container. Avoid plastic.
• Humidity: Ideal relative humidity is 50–70%. Avoid damp environments to prevent mold; avoid overly dry conditions that may halt beneficial aging.
• Aging Potential: Fu Brick Tea can be stored and aged for years. Over time, the flavor mellows further and the golden flowers may deepen in character. There is no strict expiration if stored properly.
• Avoid: Refrigeration, airtight vacuum sealing (the tea benefits from minimal air exchange), and storage near spices, coffee, or perfumed items.