Meng Ding Huang Ya

Meng Ding Huang Ya

Meng Ding Huang Ya (蒙顶黄芽, Méng Dǐng Huáng Yá) also called Meng Ding Yellow Bud is a kind of Chinese Yellow tea. It is native to the Mengding Mountain in the Ya’an City of Sichuan Province.

As the saying goes, “the tea once enjoyed only by emperors is now in ordinary people’s house.” This is the true portrayal of the Meng Ding Huang Ya.

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History of Meng Ding Huang Ya

Mengding Mountain has a long history of tea production for more than 2,000 years, which has been recorded in many ancient books. According to historical records, Mengding Mountain is the earliest place where tea trees were planted artificially.

Mengding tea was regarded as a tribute tea from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912). It is one of the most famous tribute teas in Chinese history.

Mengding tea is the general name for the tea produced in Mengding Mountain. In the Tang Dynasty, many poets wrote poems to praise Mengding tea. After the founding of New China, it mainly produces Huangya, known as “Meng Ding Huang Ya”.

Nowadays, the traditional processing of Meng Ding Huang Ya is listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Sichuan Province.

Growth Environment of Meng Ding Huang Ya

Mengding Mountain is a national 4A level scenic spot in China. It has a mild climate, with an average annual temperature of 14-15℃, abundant rainfall, more rainy days, and foggy day of 280-300 days in a year.

More rain, more fog, and more clouds are the characteristics of Mengding Mountain. There are 72 temples in Mengding Mountain and many tea gardens around the temples.

Mengding Mountain is a good place for tea trees to grow, with sky curtain (cloud and fog) covering and essence (fertile soil) nourishing.

Mengding Mountain not only produces yellow tea Meng Ding Huang Ya but also produces green tea Meng Ding Gan Lu, which is a famous and ancient green tea.

Characteristics of Meng Ding Huang Ya

Meng Ding Huang Ya is picked around the Spring Equinox (March 20 or 21). The picking standard is one bud with one leaf.

The special grade Meng Ding Huang Ya is made from 100% of buds. Processing 500g of special grade Meng Ding Huang Ya requires 40k-50k buds.

The shape of Meng Ding Huang Ya is tidy, flat, and straight. The color of the tea liquid is yellow, bright, and clear. It tastes fresh and refreshing.

When Meng Ding Huang Ya is steeped, the tea buds or tea leaves are lying on the water surface. Then, the buds and leaves absorb water and sink, and many bubbles appear at the tip of the buds or leaves, just like the bird’s tongue carrying a bead.

Benefits of Meng Ding Huang Ya

Meng Ding Huang Ya is rich in tea polyphenols, amino acids, soluble sugar, vitamins, and other nutrients. The natural substances in the Meng Ding Huang Ya are retained more than 85%, and these substances have many benefits.

Benefits of Meng Ding Huang Ya: