Huoshan Huang Ya (霍山黃芽)

archetype: Little Buddha

A little Buddha sits in lotus and smiles: a rounded softness, a warm porridge, a simple joy.

History

Huo Shan Huang Ya — 'yellow buds from Mount Huo' — is an ancient yellow tea from Anhui. Known since the Tang dynasty; in the Qing it was 'gong cha' (tribute tea). Made almost entirely from buds and one neighbouring leaf; the 'men huang' technology — slow steaming under damp cloth — removes the green sharpness and gives the characteristic rounded sweetness. Revived in modern form in 1971.

Terroir

The standard is the buds from the Jin Ji and Tai Yang mountains; the 'imperial' Huang Ya is made only before Qingming.

Leaf

boiled millet, acacia, a soft sweetness, a warm earth long, rounded, leaves a 'smile' in the throat — a soft sweet echo

Properties

rich in natural sugars and amino acids; very mild, suits almost everyone even, warm, at the centre of the chest; felt as 'a smile from within' low to moderate (25–40 mg)

Brewing ritual

a 200 ml glass; 82 °C; 4 g / 200 ml. 35s — the first frame: warm porridge, acacia; 50s — the peak: boiled millet, soft sweetness; 80s — a long warm note; 120s — the finale — a rounded earth trail.

When to drink

day and early evening. spring and autumn. for domestic joy, for an even day, for a family table