Junshan Yinzhen
Junshan Yinzhen is a rare and highly esteemed yellow tea produced exclusively on Junshan Island in Hunan Province, China, renowned for its slender, needle-like buds and subtle, mellow flavor.
Origin Story
Originating from Junshan Island, located in Dongting Lake near Yueyang City, Hunan Province, Junshan Yinzhen has a storied history dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). This tea is crafted solely from the tender buds of local Camellia sinensis plants, with its precise breeder and cultivar lineage remaining undocumented but deeply rooted in Chinese imperial tradition.
Classification
Junshan Yinzhen belongs to the yellow tea category, a distinct group characterized by a unique light fermentation process that sets it apart from green and white teas. It is recognized as one of China’s Ten Famous Teas and is the only yellow tea officially acknowledged from Hunan Province.
Appearance or Form
This tea is distinguished by its single, unopened leaf buds that are long, straight, and covered in fine silvery hairs, forming slender, needle-like shapes. When brewed, it produces a pale yellow liquor that reflects its delicate processing and exquisite form.
Behavior or Usage
Junshan Yinzhen undergoes a specialized yellowing process where the pan-fired buds are wrapped and allowed to lightly ferment, imparting a mellow sweetness and subtle floral and fruity notes. It is traditionally brewed in glassware to showcase the elegant, upright floating buds, emphasizing both its visual and sensory appeal.
Merchandise & Prints
Bring this kind into your world � illustrated posters, mugs, and shirts.
Junshan Yinzhen Poster
Archival print, museum-grade paper
Buy Poster
Junshan Yinzhen Mug
Stoneware mug, dishwasher safe
Buy Mug
Junshan Yinzhen Shirt
Soft cotton tee, unisex sizes
Buy ShirtAttributes & Insights
Taxon-Specific Insights
🌍Cultural Significance
Esteemed as one of China’s Ten Famous Teas, Junshan Yinzhen holds a revered place in Chinese tea culture. Its rarity and labor-intensive production have made it a prized offering both domestically and internationally, symbolizing refinement and tradition within the tea community.
📌Notable Facts
- Junshan Yinzhen is produced exclusively on Junshan Island, making it geographically unique.
- Its production traces back over a millennium to the Tang Dynasty.
- The tea’s delicate yellowing process is rare and distinguishes it from other tea types.
- Only single-bud teas are considered authentic Junshan Yinzhen, contributing to its exclusivity.
- It is sometimes confused with Baihao Yinzhen, a white tea from Fujian, due to similar appearance but differs significantly in processing and flavor.
👅Flavor Profile Details
Junshan Yinzhen offers a mellow, sweet flavor profile accented by subtle floral and fruity notes. Its pale yellow liquor is smooth and gentle on the palate, reflecting the tea’s light fermentation and careful processing.
Visual Variations
Composition & Context
Taxon-Specific Insights
⚙️Processing Methods
The production of Junshan Yinzhen involves pan-firing the freshly plucked single buds, followed by a wrapping step that allows a gentle, controlled fermentation known as the yellowing process. This partial oxidation imparts the tea’s characteristic mellow sweetness and pale liquor. The buds retain their slender, needle-like shape throughout processing, with grading based on uniformity and appearance.
🍵Consumption Culture
Traditionally, Junshan Yinzhen is brewed in glassware to highlight the elegant, upright floating buds, enhancing the visual experience alongside its delicate flavor. It holds ceremonial and cultural importance as a symbol of refinement and is highly valued in both Chinese domestic markets and among international tea connoisseurs.
💚Health Benefits
While specific studies on Junshan Yinzhen are limited, yellow teas like it are generally appreciated for their gentle oxidation, which preserves antioxidants and polyphenols. These compounds are associated with potential benefits such as improved digestion, antioxidant support, and mild calming effects.
🌍Regional Variations
Junshan Yinzhen stands as the sole yellow tea officially recognized from Hunan Province, with no widely known regional variants. It is often contrasted with Baihao Yinzhen, a white tea from Fujian Province, which shares a similar needle-like appearance but differs in processing and flavor profile.