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DIAN HONG JIN HAO

YUNNAN GOLDEN TIPS
RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING

Badashan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China

Dian Hong Jin Hao is a Chinese red tea from Yunnan Province, composed of fine leaves with a high proportion of golden buds. It is produced from carefully selected material, processed with controlled oxidation to achieve balance between richness and clarity. The infusion is smooth and structured, offering honeyed sweetness, soft malt notes, and a clean, rounded finish. MORE

AROMA
Caramel, chocolate, dough
TASTE
Bread, nut, cacao

ALTITUDE: 1650 m
CULTIVAR: Chang Ye Bai Hao
HARVEST: Spring, 2025
Observing dry leaves of Dian Hong Jin Hao close-up
ABOUT
Dian Hong Jin Hao is a high-grade Chinese red tea from Yunnan Province, representing a refined style within the Dian Hong category characterized by a balanced composition of leaves and golden buds. The name “Jin Hao,” meaning “Golden Tips,” refers to the visible presence of young buds covered with fine hairs, which contribute to both the visual appearance and the smooth, sweet profile of the tea. This style offers a middle ground between pure bud teas and more leaf-driven Dian Hong, combining structure with softness.

The tea is produced from large-leaf varieties native to Yunnan, carefully harvested and processed using the traditional red tea method. The production includes withering, rolling, full oxidation, and drying, with close attention paid to achieving a consistent and controlled oxidation level. This approach allows the tea to develop a well-rounded aromatic profile while preserving the natural sweetness and clarity of the raw material.

Dian Hong Jin Hao is widely appreciated for its accessibility and balance, making it suitable for both introduction to Yunnan red teas and for experienced tea lovers seeking a reliable and well-structured daily tea. The combination of bud richness and leaf body results in a stable and expressive profile across multiple infusions, reflecting both the quality of the material and the precision of processing.

TERROIR
Dian Hong Jin Hao is sourced from the mountainous area of Badashan, Menghai, Yunnan Province, at an elevation of around 1650 meters. The region is defined by a warm, humid subtropical climate with frequent mist, abundant rainfall, and noticeable day and night temperature variation. These conditions support slow and balanced leaf development, allowing the plants to accumulate a high concentration of aromatic and structural compounds.

The tea is produced from the Chang Ye Bai Hao cultivar, a large-leaf variety known for its prominent buds and high biochemical potential. In this terroir, the cultivar develops with a balanced composition of buds and leaves, contributing to both sweetness and structural depth in the final infusion. The soils in the region are mineral-rich and well-drained, supporting healthy root systems and clean, stable growth.

The combination of altitude, climate, and cultivar results in a tea with a well-defined structure, where richness is supported by clarity and smoothness. This terroir allows Dian Hong Jin Hao to express both the softness of golden buds and the body of mature leaves, creating a balanced and consistent profile across multiple infusions.

ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf appearance is well-balanced, with a mix of twisted dark leaves and visible golden buds, creating a textured and lively visual profile. The aroma of the dry leaves is clean and moderately intense, showing notes of honey, light cocoa, and a gentle dried fruit sweetness. In a preheated teapot, the tea gradually opens, and the aroma becomes warmer and more rounded, revealing soft caramel, ripe fruit, and a light malty depth. After a brief rinse, the leaves fully awaken, and the aroma gains clarity and structure, combining honeyed sweetness with subtle cocoa and a refined, warm undertone.

The aroma of the liquor in the empty cup is smooth and stable, with notes of honey, light malt, and a soft fruity trace. The taste is balanced and well-structured, with a medium body and a smooth, slightly rounded texture. From the first sips, a natural sweetness emerges, supported by mild cocoa and fruit notes, with very low astringency. The profile remains consistent and harmonious across multiple infusions, offering both clarity and gentle depth. The aftertaste is clean and moderately long, leaving a soft sweetness and a slightly warming sensation. In the empty cup after drinking, delicate notes of honey, cocoa, and light dried fruit remain.
Admiring visual appearance of Dian Hong Jin Hao red tea
Placing Dian Hong Jin Hao tea leaves into a preheated teapot for Gongfu brewing
Drinking Dian Hong Jin Hao red tea and assessing smooth, balanced taste
Preparing second infusion of Dian Hong Jin Hao for deeper flavor development
Observing fully opened leaves of Dian Hong Jin Hao after multiple infusions
RED (BLACK) TEA
Explore more Red (Black) Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.