2009 Daotea Kim Jong Yeol Hwagae Valley Yellow Tea

This tea is one of two yellow teas from Pedro at Daotea. Pedro chose to call it by the transliterated Korean name, Balhyocha. Balhyo means 'fermented or oxidized' in Korean. Koreans love fermented stuff, its no wonder that this tea is slowly gaining mild popularity now in Korea. The health benefits of this tea are astounding, and are also helping it become more widely consumed in Korea (although the majority of Korean people have never hear of this type of tea).

This yellow tea was produced by hand- the traditional method, in the oldest tea producing area in Korea- Hwagae. The information on Daotea's site claims that Kim Jong Yeol gave up his business job in the city for tea farming on the mountains. Let's sit down, boil the water, and experience what his hands have created...

The long wiry dark brown dry leaves have a very subtle blueish tint to them- this is usually a sign of good processing of both Korean green and yellow tea. The dry leaves smell like spicy dried apricots with light buttery and slight milk chocolate tones. Many of these leaves are stuffed into the pot until the overflow out the top. When the boiling water cools slightly, it is transferred into the cooling pot, then into the pot.

The first infusion pours a bright, clean, light yellow. The taste is as soft and mellow as the color of the liquid- soft vanilla, very light body.

The second infusion continues to exude this smooth, light, watery, fresh nature. The vanilla taste is mixed with soft chocolate tones.

The third infusion, the mouthfeel is light and mossy in nature and fills out more of the mouth. The colour of the liquid becomes more of a brownish yellow. The taste also tries to develop some depth. The predominate taste of vanilla lingers on the breath.

The fourth infusion becomes just slightly woody but still predominately vanilla. Hiding chocolate notes seem to waver. The mouthfeel, also a bit more full, is still very soft and smooth.

The fifth infusion, the woody flavour starts to dominate. In the sixth and onward there is just sweet, light, woody finish. The qi of this tea is soft and calming especially in the middle jiao.

Overall this tea displays a very mellow, soft, and smooth feel, taste, and qi, the whole experience is quite calming. One has tried many Korean yellow teas throughout the years but this yellow is one of the softest and smoothest.

Its medicinal use of calming the stomach and aiding in digestion has been especially helpful the last few days as family is visiting and one has been eating outside the normal diet. The company also really enjoyed this tea commenting also on its smooth and light nature.

Peace