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Black tea · Yunnan gold

Dian Hong

滇红, Yunnan black tea

8.4/10 editor's score

Black tea from Yunnan, famous for its golden buds. Malty and sweet, with cocoa and a peppery edge. Created in the late 1930s.

Golden tipsMaltyChinese black
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Dian Hong, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafDian Hong
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorBright red-amber
Served inYixing clay teapot

At a glance

Black tea from Yunnan, famous for its golden buds.

CaffeineMedium~35 to 55 mg, our estimate
MilkPlain or with milk.
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestMarch to April (spring), also summer and autumnBest gold-tip teas.
Pairs withChocolate cake, Spiced dishes, BreakfastLess good with very delicate food
Grown atAbout 1,000 to 2,000 mFengqing, Yunnan
Served inYixing clay teapotSmall clay pot, tiny cups

About Dian Hong

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe Dian Hong as malty and sweet with cocoa and a light peppery note, especially in golden-bud grades 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

FengqingYunnanCHINA
Region
Fengqing and Lincang, Yunnan 1
Created
1938 to 1939 1
Plant
Large-leaf var. assamica 1
Look
Golden, downy buds 1

More from Fengqing and China.

History and culture

Dian Hong was first made in 1938 to 1939 at Fengqing, during the war with Japan, to produce black tea for export 1.

Editor's score

8.4/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.5Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 8.0Value: 8.5Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 8.5Flavour 8.5Heritage 8.0Availability 8.0Value 8.5Beginners 9.0Versatility 8.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Dian Hong~35 to 55 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Spring gives the best Dian Hong. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Yunnan large-leaf tea, Camellia sinensis var. assamica 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Buds and leaves.

02Withering

Indoors.

03Rolling

Twisting.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Fired.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafA mix of golden buds and dark leaf.
LiquorBright red-amber.
After steeping
Wet leafCoppery.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Chocolate cake
  • Spiced dishes
  • Breakfast

Best avoided

  • Very delicate food

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Graded by bud content. "Golden" or "gold tip" grades are mostly buds.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Gold should be real downy buds.
  2. Check the season: spring is best.
FAQ
What makes it golden?

Downy buds that turn gold when oxidised.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from ChinaFengqingGolden tipsMaltyChinese black

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Dianhong". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianhong
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.