Golden Needles Premium Black Tea

Golden Needles – Yunnan Dian Hong Black Tea (金针红茶)

Pure Golden Bud Red Tea from Ancient Trees in Yunnan
Silky • Malty • Naturally Sweet

A luxurious black tea made entirely of golden buds.

Golden Needles (金针) is a premium-grade Yunnan red tea (black tea) crafted exclusively from the youngest, golden-tipped buds of the large-leaf tea trees in Yunnan Province. This tea is pure, unblended, and unscented—offering a naturally smooth and richly layered cup, full of malty depth, honeyed sweetness, and soft spice.

Picked in early spring and carefully oxidized, the golden buds yield a velvety liquor with notes of cocoa, baked sweet potato, and warm wood, with a naturally sweet finish and no bitterness. A favorite for quiet mornings, focused work sessions, or gifting to serious tea lovers.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Golden Needles - A Sip of Sun-Kissed Elegance

Why You’ll Love Golden Needles

• Made from 100% golden spring buds of Yunnan large-leaf tea trees
• Smooth, sweet, and richly malty with no added flavoring
• Naturally high in polyphenols and theanine
• Elegant and grounding—perfect for both new and experienced drinkers
• One of the most beloved styles of Dian Hong black tea

Tasting Notes

• Cocoa, honey, and roasted sweet potato
• Smooth malty body with a touch of cinnamon and wood
• Golden clarity with a silky texture
• Lingering finish with soft caramel warmth

Tea Profile

• Type: Pure Black Tea (Red Tea, 红茶)
• Style: Golden Needles (金针红茶)
• Origin: Yunnan Province, China
• Cultivar: Yunnan Da Ye Zhong (Large-leaf variety)
• Harvest: Early spring (first flush buds)
• Craftsmanship: Hand-picked, fully oxidized, sun-dried
• Appearance: Long golden buds with fine fuzz; amber-copper liquor
• Collected: 2025

Processing

Golden Needles are made using traditional Dian Hong craftsmanship:

1. Harvest – Only the tender, downy buds are selected
2. Withering – Buds are gently sun-withered to soften
3. Oxidation – Fully oxidized to draw out natural sweetness and warmth
4. Drying – Carefully dried to preserve structure, color, and oils

The result is a tea of golden elegance, prized for its depth without heaviness.

Health Benefits

• Supports gentle mental alertness and warmth
• High in natural theanine—encourages calm focus
• Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols
• A smooth, low-acid tea—easy on the stomach

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 5–6 grams
• Water temperature: 90–95°C / 194–203°F
• Rinse: Optional (5 sec)
• Infusions:
• 1st: 25–30 sec
• 2nd: 30–40 sec
• 3rd–6th: Increase gradually
• Tip: Use a clay or porcelain pot to capture warmth and body

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 90°C / 194°F
• Steep time: 2.5–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Excellent both hot and iced

Cultural Significance

Golden Needles represent one of the most refined forms of Yunnan black tea—a tea made not from blends or leaves, but from the golden buds alone. Cherished for its balance of depth, warmth, and sweetness, it has become a symbol of high-quality red tea craftsmanship in China and abroad.

Elegant and naturally comforting, it’s a tea that speaks quietly—but leaves a lasting impression.