Packaging:
Sweet-potato sweetness, caramel warmth and a full body. Grade 1 Ailao Mountain yellow tea.
Available options: 2025 or 2026 harvest; 30g sample, 100g or 500g.
Where our Special Grade whispers elegance, this Grade 1 Yunnan Yellow Tea speaks with satisfying depth — delivering rich sweet potato sweetness, lasting caramel warmth, and remarkable endurance across 8+ infusions, all from the same pristine Ailao Mountain source.
When we source yellow tea from Ailao Mountain 哀牢山, we work closely with our farmer partners to select multiple grades from the same harvest. This Grade 1 Yunnan Yellow Tea comes from the same pristine high-altitude gardens and the same skilled hands as our Special Grade — the difference lies in the leaf maturity. Picked in spring, these one-bud-one-leaf sets are slightly more developed than the tender early-March flush, and this maturity translates directly into a different but equally rewarding drinking experience.
The Men Huang (闷黄, Mèn Huáng) "sealing yellow" process applied to these leaves follows the same traditional technique, but the slightly older leaves respond by developing deeper, more robust flavors. The signature note that emerges is unmistakably reminiscent of roasted sweet potato skin — that caramelized, honeyed sweetness that feels like autumn comfort. This is layered over the characteristic toasty cereal base that defines quality yellow tea, creating a flavor profile that is both unique and deeply satisfying.
What truly sets this Grade 1 apart is its remarkable staying power. The more mature leaf structure means more extractable compounds, and practical experience confirms it: this tea maintains its sweet, full character across eight or more infusions without thinning out or turning bitter. It represents an honest, accessible entry into rare Ailao Mountain yellow tea — the same mountain mist, the same artisan care, delivered with a fuller body and a more forgiving price point.
This Grade 1 Ailao Yellow Tea proves that "accessible" and "exceptional" can coexist. Experience the sweet potato warmth, the caramel depth, and the remarkable endurance that keeps delivering cup after cup. Stock is limited to this single spring batch — add to cart now and discover your new daily favorite.
Most commercial yellow teas undergo abbreviated Men Huang processing, resulting in products that taste closer to green tea.
The Ailao Mountain terroir at 2,000+ meters provides unique character impossible to replicate in lowland factory settings.
After initial heating (Sha Qing / 杀青), the leaves are wrapped and allowed to undergo slow, controlled oxidation under warm, humid conditions.
This causes several chemical transformations: chlorophyll breaks down (creating the yellow color), while amino acids and sugars interact through reactions similar to bread baking or caramelization.
This makes it outstanding value — you are getting significantly more cups per gram than you would from more delicate teas.
Scan the QR code on the label for tea details and brewing instructions.
Session estimates use a fresh portion of dry tea each time. Each portion can be infused repeatedly.
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 1 reviews.
This is by far my favorite tea. It's so smooth, it's so subtly sweet and aromatic.
Ailao Golden Tips: Grade 1 Yunnan Yellow Tea (Sweet Potato & Toasty Honey)
Brew yellow tea the right way: water at 175-185°F (80-85°C), 3g of leaf per 150 ml, and steep times for both Western and gongfu styles. Fix bitter or watery cups with simple corrections.
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Tracking after dispatch. Rates & delivery estimates
Request within 14 days; tea must remain sealed. Conditions apply
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