Yunnan Dian Hong Da Jin Zhen — Premium Golden Needle Black Tea | Honey, Malt & Rare Single-Bud Craft

Da Jin Zhen (大金针) — the Great Golden Needle — is the pinnacle of Yunnan gongfu black tea. Sourced from the first spring flush of large-leaf varietal single buds in Fengqing, Yunnan — the county that gave birth to modern Dian Hong — it takes tens of thousands of hand-selected tender buds to produce a single kilogram of finished tea. The scarcity of the raw material is matched only by the precision of the craft.

After withering, rolling, and careful fermentation, each bud undergoes li tiao (理条) — a specialized shaping process that straightens and elongates the bud into a slender, upright needle. The result is a dry leaf of striking elegance: long, straight, densely covered in golden down, and gleaming with a warm golden luster that makes the tea as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.

In the cup, the liquor is a clear, luminous orange-amber — transparent and oil-bright. The aroma is layered and persistent: warm honey sweetness, rich malt-sugar depth, and a delicate floral-fruit note, all sunk into the body of the liquor rather than floating above it. On the palate, the tea is exceptionally smooth and sweet, with virtually no bitterness or astringency and a long, natural sweetness that rises back through the throat.

The large-leaf varietal raw material delivers excellent brew resistance — 7 to 10 stable infusions of consistent quality. Equally suited to hot brewing, cold brewing, pure drinking, afternoon tea, or as a premium gift that speaks for itself.

• Tens of Thousands of Buds per Kilogram — Single-bud raw material of genuine scarcity and value
• Fengqing Yunnan Origin — Historic heartland of Dian Hong; large-leaf varietal at its finest
• First Spring Flush — The most tender, most fragrant buds of the year
• Specialized Li Tiao (理条) Shaping — Each bud hand-shaped into a slender golden needle; premium craft signature
• Dense Golden Tips — Warm golden luster; visually stunning dry leaf
• Honey × Malt × Floral-Fruit Aroma — Layered, persistent & sunk into the liquor
• Exceptionally Smooth & Sweet — Almost zero bitterness or astringency; full-bodied and effortlessly drinkable
• Long Sweet Aftertaste — Natural sweetness that rises and lingers in the throat
• 7–10 Infusions — Large-leaf varietal depth; excellent brew resistance
• Versatile — Hot or cold brew; pure drinking, afternoon tea, or premium gifting

Vessel: Gaiwan (100ml recommended)
Water Temperature: 88–93°C (190–199°F)
Leaf Amount: 3–5g

Steeping Guide:
• Quick rinse: Rinse the buds briefly with hot water and discard — this awakens the golden needles and opens up the honey-malt aroma
• Infusions 1–5: 5–12 seconds — pour and drain quickly to capture the honey and malt aroma at its most vivid
• Infusions 6 and beyond: Gradually increase steeping time as needed

Number of Infusions: 7–10 infusions

Alternative Brewing:
• Cold Brew: Steep 3–5g in 500ml cold water for 6–8 hours in the refrigerator — the honey sweetness becomes even more clean and refreshing when cold
• Afternoon Tea: Pairs beautifully with light pastries, shortbread, or fresh fruit

Tips:
• Use water slightly below boiling — lower temperature preserves the delicate honey and floral notes of the single buds
• Hold the dry needles up to the light before brewing — the golden tips are one of Da Jin Zhen’s most beautiful qualities
• Da Jin Zhen makes an exceptional gift — the visual beauty of the golden needles and the elegance of the flavor make it a tea that impresses at every level