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The mellow and sweet taste of Yunnan Dian Hong is different than all other black teas. The uniqueness of Yunnan’s original tea tree strains and the original Dian Hong tea fermentation process create a black tea that is full-bodied and strong while nearly devoid of astringency and bitterness. The oxidation or so-called “fermentation” process is a critical step in the production of Yunnan Dian Hong black tea, and it's this process that contributes significantly to the mellow, sweet, and fruity taste of Dian Hong tea. The special fermentation techniques used to produce Dian Hong were developed in the early 20th century. Today, the best Dian Hong black teas are still fermented in small batches within special wooden boxes covered in natural conditions. The term "Dian Hong" was first used during the early 20th century to distinguish Yunnan black tea from other black teas produced in China. "Dian" refers to the historical name of Yunnan Province, while "Hong" means red, which is a common term for black tea in China. Dian Hong is highly regarded for its smooth, malty flavor, zero bitterness, golden-red liquor, and unique floral and spicy aroma. This reserve batch of Dian Hong black tea is made from the lightly rolled 1 bud and 2 leaves plucking standard known as the Mao Feng grade that is only produced from the finest of the spring first flush harvest.