On Dec 18, 7:47*am, wrote:
> If you pluck the leaf off the tree, whither it, steam or fry it, dry
> and pack it, it's green tea. If you garther it into a pile and throw
> something over it letting it heat for awhile -- or put it into a box
> for the same purpose -- it's a yellow tea. This "cooking" step takes
> the grassy green quality out and imparts something of a soft reedy
> meadow quality. I like it. This morning I'm drinking a Meng Ding Huang
> Ya (from Tea Spring) with all these "yellow" qualities, and, at least
> in the earliest steeps, it has a nice gentle sweet thing coming up at
> the back of the throat after you swallow. (Forgive me for forgetting
> the Chinese word for this.) I'm now on to another yellow: Huo Shan
> Haung Ya (also TeaSpring). Could I get some feedback on others' Yellow
> tea experiences? *BTW, for those who've read my ramblings elsewhere
> this morning, I did miss-name the tea I'm drinking. Here, I got it
> right. (Let's just see who's paying attention!)
> Michael

I absolutely have fallen in love with yellow teas. When I'm burnt out
on greens but not really looking for something strong it is the
perfect fit. I love the Huo Shan Huang Ya from teaspring and it is my
"daily drinker" of yellow teas because of the perfect balance of
flavor, price, and availability. I have noticed it change in flavor
twice from teaspring over multiple orders, once for the worse (I think
it may have been a touch old) and once for the better (a new/different
flavor twist). Mellow, non acidic, slightly thick/milky feel, and I
like Teaspring's description mentioning "sweet corn." The main
difference between Teasprings and many other Huo Shan Huang Yas that
I've found is in the freshness, and except for that one time it has
always been extremely fresh.

Que She (Bird's Tongue) is another similar and enjoyable tea, but a
fair bit more expensive. It is generally classified as a green tea but
I would place it much closer to a yellow (and yes your explanation
shows how it is a subtle difference).

I just purchased a silver needle yellow tea but am actually returning
it because it has been obviously stored near flavored teas and it is
totally ruined, but that would have been a new one for me and I was
looking forward to it.

- Dominic