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Black tea · Golden buds

Yunnan Gold

滇红金芽, Golden Yunnan, Dian Hong gold

7.8/10 editor's score

A Dian Hong rich in golden buds. Sources set it just below Yunnan Pure Gold, which is all golden tips.

Golden budsSweetYunnan
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Yunnan Gold, top-down

What you need

3 g leafYunnan Gold
250 ml water85 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorBrassy golden orange
Served inYixing clay teapot

At a glance

A Dian Hong rich in golden buds.

CaffeineMedium~40 to 60 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpringSpring buds.
Pairs withShortbread, Breakfast, Dark chocolateLess good with delicate fish
Grown atMountain gardensFengqing, Yunnan
Served inYixing clay teapotSmall clay pot, tiny cups

About Yunnan Gold

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a sweet, gentle aroma and no astringency 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
Family
Dian Hong, Yunnan black tea 1
Mark
Many fine golden tips 1
Grades
Yunnan Gold and Pure Gold 1
Cup
Brassy golden orange, no astringency 1

More from Fengqing and China.

History and culture

Dian Hong stands out among Chinese black teas for its golden tips 1.

Editor's score

7.8/10

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: 8.0Origin & heritage: 7.5Availability: 7.5Value: 7.5Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 8.0Flavour 8.0Heritage 7.5Availability 7.5Value 7.5Beginners 9.0Versatility 8.0
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
Yunnan Gold~40 to 60 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

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

Harvest calendar

The best buds come in spring. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Yunnan large-leaf Camellia sinensis var. assamica.

How it is made
01Plucking

Buds.

02Withering

Indoors.

03Rolling

Gentle.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Low heat.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafFuzzy golden buds.
LiquorBrassy golden orange 1.
After steeping
Wet leafPlump buds.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Shortbread
  • Breakfast
  • Dark chocolate

Best avoided

  • Delicate fish

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

Yunnan Gold has fewer golden buds than Yunnan Pure Gold 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Pure Gold is all golden tips 1.
  2. Plain Dian Hong is mostly dark leaf 1.
FAQ
How is it different from Dian Hong?

It is a Dian Hong grade with many more golden buds 1.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from ChinaFengqingGolden budsSweetYunnan

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.