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Junshan Yinzhen

君山银针

7.3/10 editor's score

A rare yellow tea of single buds from Junshan Island in Dongting Lake, Hunan. One of the Ten Famous Teas of China.

RareBudsHunan
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Junshan Yinzhen, top-down

What you need

3 g leafJunshan Yinzhen
250 ml water75 to 80°C
Steep 2:302 steeps
LiquorPale apricot-yellow
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)

At a glance

A rare yellow tea of single buds from Junshan Island in Dongting Lake, Hunan.

CaffeineLow to medium~15 to 35 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit7.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestEarly springBuds picked before leaves open.
Pairs withLotus seeds, Light pastries, Steamed fishLess good with strong flavours
Grown atAn island in Dongting LakeJunshan Island, Hunan
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)Porcelain bowl, lid and saucer

About Junshan Yinzhen

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe yellow tea as made like green tea plus a "sweltering" step, which removes the grassy smell of green tea 3.

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

Junshan IslandHunanCHINA
Region
Junshan Island, Dongting Lake, Hunan 12
Status
One of the Ten Chinese Famous Teas 1
Rarity
Called China's rarest tea 1
Rule
Tea from around the lake is not Junshan Yinzhen 1

More from Junshan Island and China.

History and culture

Junshan Yinzhen is said to have been a favourite of Mao Zedong 1.

Editor's score

7.3/10

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: 9.5Availability: 4.5Value: 5.5Beginner-friendliness: 7.5Versatility: 6.0Flavour 8.5Heritage 9.5Availability 4.5Value 5.5Beginners 7.5Versatility 6.0
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
Green tea (average)~28 mg
Junshan Yinzhen~15 to 35 mg

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

Harvest calendar

A bud-only spring tea. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Local Camellia sinensis on Junshan Island 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Single buds.

02Kill-green

Low heat.

03Sweltering

Wrapped to yellow slowly 3.

04Drying

Repeated gentle drying.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafPlump, straight golden buds with down.
LiquorPale apricot-yellow.
After steeping
Wet leafWhole, tender buds.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Lotus seeds
  • Light pastries
  • Steamed fish

Best avoided

  • Strong flavours

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 size and evenness.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. It is sometimes sold as white tea 1.
  2. Much "yellow tea" is really green tea.
FAQ
What is yellow tea?

Green-tea-like, with an extra slow "sweltering" step 3.

Find it inYellow teasTeas from ChinaJunshan IslandRareBudsHunan

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Junshan Yinzhen". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junshan_Yinzhen
  2. Wikipedia, "Junshan Island". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junshan_Island
  3. Wikipedia, "Yellow tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_tea
  4. 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.