Junshan Yinzhen (君山銀針)

tea imagery: Golden fish

Junshan Yinzhen is a yellow tea made from buds in Hunan. In a clear vessel, you can watch the pale, elongated buds: some stand upright and slowly sink as they absorb water. They are lovely to watch, but taste comes first: gentle sweetness, freshness and sometimes floral or grain notes.

History

Its historic centre is Junshan Island in Lake Dongting, near Yueyang. Ask where a particular batch was grown: the cultivation area announced in December 2025 covers several parts of Yueyang, including the island. Individual buds are selected for this yellow tea. Heat fixation is followed by cooling, partial drying and two stages of resting with retained warmth and moisture, known as men huang, before final drying and sorting. When buying, ask whether the tea underwent yellowing; similar-looking buds do not establish how a tea was made.

“Silver Needles of Junshan” describes the place and the buds’ appearance. The golden fish in our illustration refers to Lake Dongting and the movement of buds in water.

Terroir

Hunan, the Yueyang area; historic centre on Junshan Island. Low hills on the island; ask separately about other gardens. Sandy soils occur on the island; conditions elsewhere vary. Humid climate around Lake Dongting. If island-grown tea matters to you, ask for confirmation that the leaves came from the island.

Leaf

dry leaf: Individual elongated, downy buds, yellowish or yellow-green; colour varies with processing.

aroma in a warmed vessel: Fresh vegetal and light grain notes.

aroma after brewing: Possible floral and sweet grain notes.

taste: Fresh and gently sweet, sometimes with hints of grain or sweetcorn. Longer brewing can bring out astringency.

finish: Check whether pleasant sweetness remains after swallowing and as the tea cools.

Properties

Traditional descriptions: Traditional descriptions often give yellow tea a gentle character.

What to know: Yellowing changes colour and flavour. A mellow infusion is not a guarantee of comfort for every sensitive stomach.

Over a cup of tea: Take a quiet break and watch the buds slowly sink as they absorb water.

Caffeine: Contains caffeine; the name and colour do not reveal an exact amount.

How to brew

A 200 ml glass teapot or mug with a roomy filter. 3 g per 200 ml at 90 °C. Time for each infusion: 90 s, 120 s, 180 s.

When to drink

Morning or daytime. Year-round. For exploring yellow bud tea. Pear or biscuits; taste the tea on its own first. Alone or with someone who enjoys comparing teas

What to notice

Watch the buds take up water and sink.
Taste without waiting for every bud to reach the bottom.
Compare the hot and cooled liquor’s aroma.

Questions and answers

How do you brew Junshan Yinzhen?

A 200 ml glass teapot or mug with a roomy filter. 3 g per 200 ml at 90 °C. Time for each infusion: 90 s, 120 s, 180 s.

What does Junshan Yinzhen taste like?

Fresh and gently sweet, sometimes with hints of grain or sweetcorn. Longer brewing can bring out astringency.

How much caffeine is in Junshan Yinzhen?

Contains caffeine; the name and colour do not reveal an exact amount.

What else should I know about Junshan Yinzhen?

Yellowing changes colour and flavour. A mellow infusion is not a guarantee of comfort for every sensitive stomach.