Description

Ya Bao tea is a rare and intriguing variety from the Chinese province of Yunnan, a region that has been known for centuries as the cradle of refined tea. What makes this tea so special is that it is not made from leaves, but from the young, closed buds of the tea plant. These buds grow on very old tea trees, known as gushu trees, which are often more than two hundred years old and grow in the wild. Thanks to their deep root system, these trees absorb a rich variety of minerals from the soil, which contributes to the complexity and elegance of the tea.

Our Ya Bao undergoes the processing of a white tea. After picking, the buds are minimally processed: they are carefully withered and then slowly dried at a low temperature. There is no rolling or oxidation, which preserves the natural freshness and pure structure of the bud. Due to this gentle processing, Ya Bao officially falls under the category of white teas, despite its unique appearance and character.

Ya Bao is harvested during the colder months, often before the first leaves develop. The buds are covered with several protective layers, like a kind of natural winter coat, which protect them from the cold and wind. If these buds are not picked, they grow into new branches on the tea tree. That is why harvesting is carried out with great restraint: only a few buds are picked per tree, so that the gushu trees remain strong and vigorous.

One of the most fascinating properties of Ya Bao is its ability to mature. During prolonged storage, the flavour gradually changes. The fresh, light notes of young Ya Bao evolve into a fuller, warmer profile with spicy and subtly earthy accents. For this reason, Ya Bao is sometimes called “white pu-erh”, although strictly speaking it is not a true pu-erh. This combination of white tea processing and slow natural ageing makes this tea particularly suitable for storage and for following its development over the years.

In the cup, Ya Bao reveals a soft, clear infusion with elegant floral notes, a slight sweetness and subtle woody nuances. Older examples often reveal soft honey-like and spicy layers. This makes Ya Bao a unique tea: refined, rare and with a story that deepens over time.

Ingredients

White tea from China