Yingde Black Tea

Yingde Black Tea

Yingde Black Tea is a geographical indication protected product.

Yingde Black Tea is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　    Yingde Black Tea, or “Yinghong,” is one of China’s top five black teas, alongside “Qihong” and “Dianhong.” It is highly praised by tea connoisseurs for its tightly rolled strips, glossy dark color, fresh and sweet flavor, bright red liquor, rich aroma, and mellow taste. It has won numerous awards and is said to be a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. The fame of “Yinghong” ultimately stems from the superior quality of Yingde’s tea leaves. Therefore, although other types of tea from Yingde, such as green and oolong, may not be as well-known as “Yinghong,” they are equally excellent.

　　    Geographical Scope

　　    Yingde Black Tea is produced in Yingde City, Guangdong Province. The tea-growing areas feature undulating peaks, winding rivers, and karst landforms, creating a naturally rich environment with caves and abundant water. Tea plantations are mostly built on gently sloping hills with open terrain. The region enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 20.7°C, annual precipitation of 1,883.9 mm, and a relative humidity of 79%. The frost-free period is long, with fewer than ten frost days per year. The soil is deep, fertile, and acidic, with a pH value between 4.5 and 5. The tea plants cultivated are mainly based on two high-quality varieties: Yunnan large-leaf and Phoenix Narcissus, using their one-bud-two-or-three-leaves as raw material. The tea is meticulously processed through multiple stages including withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, refining, and sorting.

　　    Unique Quality

　　    Yingde Black Tea features tightly rolled, heavy, and robust particles with an oily sheen, fine and even texture, visible golden tips, a fresh and rich aroma with distinct floral notes, a mellow and sweet taste, bright red liquor with a vivid golden rim, and tender red leaf bases. Especially when milk is added, the tea takes on a rich brownish-red hue, tastes thick and refreshing, and exhibits excellent color, aroma, and flavor (quality), offering a distinctive style compared to Dianhong and Qihong. “Yinghong” teas are rich in internal components, come in a full range of varieties, have prominent quality characteristics, and clear grading.

　　    Cultural Background

　　    Yingde Black Tea was first created in 1959. Produced in Guangdong, it features a glossy dark color, uniform and solid particles, a high and sharp aroma, bright red liquor, a strong taste, and leaves a sweet and refreshing aftertaste, making it ideal for drinking plain. When milk and sugar are added, its color, aroma, and flavor become even more exceptional. Yingde Black Tea is very popular in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. Its successful development directly from fresh leaves of the Yunnan large-leaf variety was achieved in 1964, and its processing technique was essentially finalized and certified by four central ministries (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Trade, and Ministry of Machinery Industry). In the early 1990s, the outstandingly high-quality “Golden Tip Tea” product was developed, becoming the finest among black teas and earning the title “Oriental Golden Beauty,” drawing global attention.