Black tea Grand Yunnan

In the mountains of Yunnan, the tea plants destined for Grand Yunnan GFOP Superior thrive at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,500 meters, where nature dictates its slow and precise rhythm. This altitude is not a requirement for the grade itself, but it shapes the tea's nobility. The pure air, the iron-rich soils, and the daily mists slow the growth of the leaves, concentrating their sugars and polyphenols. Under these conditions, the buds develop a denser, lighter down, the precursor to the golden tips that will make this high-altitude tea famous.

In Mengku, the harvest takes place during the second flush of growth in spring, when the sap is most concentrated. The pickers select a terminal bud accompanied by two young, barely opened leaves. This precise gesture, repeated thousands of times by hand, embodies the very essence of the Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe grade. Nothing is left to chance: only this subtle combination of tender leaves and buds promises the future bounty of the oranges.Golden Tips.

These golden buds appear much later, at the crucial moment of oxidation. After withering and rolling, tea masters observe the transformation of the leaves, searching for the perfect color and aroma. This is where their art is expressed: they interrupt oxidation earlier than with traditional black tea, just before the bud turns brown. The silvery down then takes on a warm gold hue, under the combined effect of heat and air, giving the tea its instantly recognizable brilliance.

A local legend tells that, to preserve the integrity of this precious tea, Yunnan artisans used to cover the leaves with damp cloths or let steam rise from cooking rice in their workshops. This gesture, a blend of instinct and alchemy, slowed oxidation and enveloped the buds in nourishing vapor. A poetic heritage passed down by the masters of Yunnan, this know-how remains the very essence of Grand Yunnan GFOP Superior. Thus, it is quite natural that this tea, with its ancient heritage, has found its place on the wooden shelves of our shop on Rue Malesherbes: each opened tin radiates the spirit of Yunnan into the shop itself.

Food and tea pairings
Unveil the full nobility of this Grand Yunnan tea by pairing it with a grilled Wagyu beef fillet with shiitake mushrooms. Its velvety power and notes of forest humus create a perfect harmony with the umami of the mushrooms, while its aromas of aged leather and tobacco enhance the rich marbling of the exceptional meat. This prestigious pairing reveals the unexpected gastronomic dimension of high-altitude tea.

Recipe based on Grand Yunnan GFOP Superior black tea from China
Dare to try a revolutionary cooking jus for veal chops: generously deglaze the pan juices with a robust infusion of Grand Yunnan tea, enriched with candied shallots, juniper berries, and Sichuan peppercorns. Reduce until syrupy and then whisk in butter. The tea lends its deep, woody notes and structuring tannins, enveloping the meat in a sauce of unparalleled complexity, where the strength of the high-altitude terroir blends with the elegance of haute cuisine.