2026 Honey Snow Bud Dian Hong
Size
Tea Profile
| Tea Type | Red Tea (Black Tea 红茶) |
|---|---|
| Style | Honey Fragrance Snow Bud Dian Hong (蜜香雪芽滇红茶) |
| Origin | Yunnan Province, China |
| Production Date | Spring 2026 |
| Processing | Fully oxidised Yunnan large-leaf tea, carefully rolled and dried to preserve its abundant golden buds and aromatic richness. |
| Leaf Material | Predominantly one bud and one young leaf |
Origin and Character
Produced in Yunnan from a fine spring picking, this Dian Hong is distinguished by its high proportion of golden buds and long, well-preserved leaves. The material is predominantly one bud and one young leaf, giving the tea a balance of softness, sweetness and body rather than the lighter character of a pure-bud style.
The seller describes the tea as high-mountain material and markets it as ancient-tree tea, but no independently verifiable village, garden or producer provenance was supplied. Astraluna therefore presents it on the strength of the leaf and cup rather than relying on an unconfirmed old-tree claim.
Its character is immediately rich and comforting. Chocolate and cocoa dominate the dry-leaf aroma, supported by warm malt, floral honey and a subtle rose note. The profile is classic Dian Hong in spirit, but with a particularly dessert-like aromatic depth.
Aroma and Flavour
| Aroma | Milk chocolate, cocoa, warm malt, floral honey and delicate dried rose |
|---|---|
| Liquor | Clear amber-red, deepening through successive infusions |
| Flavour | Chocolate, cocoa, malted barley, honey and soft floral sweetness |
| Mouthfeel | Medium to full-bodied, smooth, rounded and softly coating |
| Finish | Lingering honeyed sweetness with cocoa, malt and a faint rose-like floral echo |
✦ The Astraluna Perspective ✦
This is a visually impressive, bud-rich Dian Hong with a clear and distinctive identity. Rather than leaning toward sharp fruit or overt mountain herbs, it centres on chocolate, cocoa, malt and honey, with the rose note adding lift without making the tea perfumed.
The young leaf material gives the liquor more structure than an all-bud tea, while the abundant golden tips contribute softness and sweetness. It should suit drinkers who enjoy the comforting depth of premium Yunnan red tea: rich enough for cooler evenings, but smooth and balanced enough for an extended Gong Fu session.
Brewing Notes
| Method | Leaf | Water | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gong Fu | 6g per 120ml gaiwan | 90°C | No rinse. Begin at 10, 12, 15, 20 and 25 seconds, then increase gradually. Move to 100°C if greater depth is desired. |
| Western | 3–4g per 250ml | 100°C | 3–4 minutes |
For a complete method, read How to Brew Chinese Red Tea.
Storage
Store in a clean, dry, odour-free environment away from direct sunlight, moisture and strong aromas. Careful storage will preserve its chocolate richness, floral honey and smooth malted character.