EN
Ya Bao (Chinese: 茶叶芽, chá yè yá) are tea buds picked from the shoots of wild pu-erh tea trees. It is a comparatively new product in tea culture that is only beginning to find its fans. The harvest is spring 2015.
Ya Bao is a light white tea that differs greatly from familiar leaf teas: it has no heavy astringency, but it does have lightness and sweetness. Because the raw material is so tender, the flavor is clean and calm, and the infusion is soft and clear.
Characteristics
- Type: white tea made from buds (ya bao)
- Raw material: buds of wild pu-erh tea trees
- Harvest: spring 2015
- Flavor: slightly sweet, with honeyed notes
- Aroma: reminiscent of field grasses warmed by the sun
Aroma and Taste
Dry leaf: a grassy, slightly sweet aroma, like field grasses on a hot summer day.
Infusion: light and soft; the flavor has a pleasant sweetness with honeyed hints.
Aftertaste: light, clean and refreshing.
Why You'll Love It
- Refreshing in hot weather and quenches thirst well.
- In winter it recalls summer with its warm herbal and honeyed notes.
- Easy to brew and a good way to get acquainted with unusual teas.
How to Brew
Gongfu brewing (short infusions; gaiwan):
- 4–5 g of tea per 150 ml
- water at 85–90 °C
- first infusion 10–15 s, then increase the time little by little
Western-style brewing (teapot or cup):
- 3 g of tea per 200 ml of water at 85–90 °C
- steep for 2–3 min
Storage
Store in a tightly closed jar in a cool, dry place, away from light and foreign odors: the delicate buds easily absorb aromas.