Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree, Wild Dianhong Black Tea

Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong Black Tea

Rich malt, dried fruit, brown sugar and wildflower honey, with delicate orchid and pinewood notes. Our Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong is a beautifully aromatic Chinese loose-leaf black tea with a full, rounded body and naturally sweet finish.

Originating from the mountainous tea-growing landscapes of Yunnan Province, this distinctive Dianhong is described as being made from wild or semi-wild, mature tea-tree material.

The carefully processed leaves produce a richly flavoured infusion with the satisfying depth of traditional Yunnan black tea and a more delicate aromatic character.

Its fragrance opens with dried fruit, brown sugar and a suggestion of pine forest. In the cup, malty richness is balanced by honey-like sweetness, gentle floral notes and a subtle woody finish.

The mouthfeel is smooth and rounded, making this tea enjoyable on its own without milk or sugar. A slightly stronger infusion also provides the depth that many black tea drinkers enjoy.

Known in Chinese as Dianhong (滇红), Yunnan black tea is celebrated for its rich flavour, attractive leaf styles and naturally sweet aromatic character.

Unlike Puer tea, this is a fully oxidised black tea rather than a post-fermented dark tea. Its appeal lies in the balance of malt, fruit, honeyed sweetness and delicate forest-like aromas.

Whether prepared in a conventional teapot or brewed through a series of Gongfu infusions, this Wild Dianhong offers a satisfying way to explore the diversity of Chinese black tea.

Tea Name: Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong
Chinese Name: Dianhong (滇红)
Tea Category: Chinese Black Tea (Hong Cha)
Origin: Yunnan Province, China
Growing Designation: High Mountain, Wild or Semi-Wild, Old Tree
Tea Format: Loose Leaf
Processing: Fully Oxidised Black Tea
Aroma: Dried Fruit, Brown Sugar and Pine Forest
Flavour: Rich Malt, Honey, Orchid and Gentle Wood
Body: Full and Rounded
Mouthfeel: Smooth and Mellow
Finish: Naturally Sweet and Lingering
Western Brewing: 2–3g / 200ml / 90–95°C / 3–4 Minutes
Gongfu Brewing: 5–6g / 100–120ml / 90–95°C / 10–15 Seconds Initially
Pack Sizes: 125g and 250g
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine

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What Makes Our Wild Dianhong Black Tea Special?

This tea combines the rich flavour of traditional Yunnan black tea with the distinctive aromatic character associated with high-mountain, wild and old-tree selections.

• Yunnan origin: From the Chinese province renowned for its Dianhong black tea traditions.
• High-mountain designation: Associated with Yunnan's mountainous tea-growing landscapes.
• Wild or semi-wild leaf material: Described as coming from mature tea plants growing in less intensively managed environments.
• Old-tree character: A tea selection associated with established, mature tea trees.
• Loose-leaf format: Whole and larger leaf material rather than compressed tea.
• Rich malty body: Satisfying black tea depth without overwhelming the more delicate notes.
• Dried-fruit aroma: Inviting impressions of ripe fruit and brown sugar.
• Honeyed sweetness: Naturally sweet tasting notes without added honey.
• Orchid and pinewood nuances: Floral and woody details that distinguish it from more straightforward black teas.
• Multiple infusions: Suitable for both Western-style and Gongfu brewing.

The result is a layered Chinese black tea with a comforting malty foundation, natural sweetness and a distinctive aromatic finish.

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What Is Dianhong Black Tea?

Dianhong (滇红) is the Chinese name for Yunnan black tea.

The word Dian refers to Yunnan, while Hong refers to red tea, the Chinese term for the tea category known as black tea in Britain.

Yunnan is home to large-leaf tea-growing traditions, and its black teas are often recognised for their rich body, malty flavour and naturally sweet aroma.

Different Dianhong selections can vary considerably in appearance and taste.

Some are made predominantly from fine golden buds and have a delicate honeyed character. Others use larger leaves and offer a deeper combination of malt, dried fruit and woody notes.

Our High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong belongs to the latter style, combining a rounded, satisfying black tea body with dried fruit, brown sugar, orchid and pinewood aromas.

It is a fully oxidised black tea, not a raw Sheng Puer or a ripe Shu Puer.

For anyone exploring Yunnan teas, Dianhong offers a very different drinking experience from the earthy character of post-fermented Puer.

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From the High Mountains of Yunnan

Yunnan Province lies in south-west China and has a long history of tea cultivation and production.

Its varied mountainous landscapes support numerous tea-growing communities and traditions.

Yunnan is especially well known for Puer and Dianhong, two tea styles that can begin with related types of tea plant but follow different processing methods.

Our Wild Dianhong is described as a high-mountain selection using mature, wild or semi-wild tea material.

Its aromatic profile reflects the character for which this selection is valued: dried fruit, brown sugar, pinewood, malt and gentle floral sweetness.

In the cup, those notes create a rich but balanced black tea with a smooth, lingering finish.

It is an appealing choice for tea drinkers who enjoy exploring the differences between Chinese black teas from Yunnan, Fujian and Anhui.

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What Does Old Tree Wild Dianhong Mean?

The name combines several terms used to describe the tea's origin and leaf material.

Old Tree refers to tea material associated with established, mature tea trees.

Wild or Semi-Wild describes the tea's growing designation, distinguishing it from more intensively managed plantation-style selections.

High Mountain refers to its mountainous Yunnan growing environment.

Dianhong identifies the finished tea as Yunnan black tea.

These terms help communicate the style and identity of the selection, while the actual drinking experience is defined by the finished leaves and their processing.

Our tea offers a rich, rounded flavour with naturally sweet malt, dried fruit, brown sugar, orchid and woody notes.

The tea's smooth texture and lingering finish make it enjoyable both as a daily black tea and as a more considered Gongfu tasting.

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How Is Wild Dianhong Black Tea Made?

Dianhong is a fully oxidised Chinese black tea.

Its production generally involves withering, rolling or shaping, oxidation and drying.

During withering, fresh leaves lose some of their moisture and become more flexible for processing.

Rolling or shaping helps develop the leaf structure and prepares the tea for oxidation.

Oxidation contributes to the darker leaf colour and the rich aromatic compounds associated with black tea.

Drying completes the process and helps preserve the finished tea's flavour.

These stages distinguish Dianhong from green tea, which is heated early in processing to limit oxidation, and from ripe Puer, which undergoes controlled microbial post-fermentation.

Our Wild Dianhong develops a rounded black tea body with rich malt, dried fruit, honeyed sweetness and gentle floral and woody notes.

The tea is sold as loose leaf, allowing the leaves to open naturally during brewing.

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Tasting Notes – Dried Fruit, Brown Sugar, Honey and Orchid

Characteristic	Description
Dry Leaf Aroma	Dried fruit, brown sugar and pine forest
Infused Aroma	Honeyed malt with gentle floral and woody notes
Opening Flavour	Rich, rounded malt
Fruit Notes	Sweet dried fruit
Sweetness	Honey and brown-sugar impressions
Floral Notes	Delicate orchid-like fragrance
Woody Notes	Subtle pinewood and forest-like depth
Body	Full and satisfying
Mouthfeel	Smooth and rounded
Finish	Lingering natural sweetness

The dry leaves release an inviting aroma of dried fruit, brown sugar and pinewood.

When infused, the tea develops a rich black tea fragrance with honeyed sweetness and gentle floral notes.

The first sip reveals a satisfying malty foundation.

Dried-fruit sweetness adds depth, while a delicate orchid-like aroma lifts the richer flavours.

A subtle woody character provides balance and a distinctive finish.

The mouthfeel is full and rounded, becoming softer as the natural sweetness lingers.

The flavour is complex without requiring a particularly strong infusion.

For a lighter cup, use a shorter steep. For a richer, more concentrated black tea, increase the leaf quantity or brewing time gradually.

Honey, brown sugar, dried fruit, orchid and pine are natural tasting descriptions, not added ingredients.

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How to Brew Yunnan Wild Dianhong Black Tea

This tea can be brewed in a conventional teapot or through repeated Gongfu infusions.

For the best balance of malt, fruit and natural sweetness, begin with fresh water at approximately 90–95°C.

Western-Style Brewing

1. Warm your teapot or infuser with a little hot water, then empty it.
2. Add approximately 2–3g of Wild Dianhong per 200ml of water.
3. Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
4. Steep for approximately 3–4 minutes.
5. Strain the leaves completely and serve.
6. Reinfuse with fresh hot water, adjusting the steeping time to taste.

For a softer cup that emphasises honeyed and floral notes, begin with 2g and a three-minute infusion.

For a fuller black tea character, use 3g and steep closer to four minutes.

Gongfu Brewing

1. Warm a 100–120ml gaiwan or small teapot.
2. Add approximately 5–6g of Wild Dianhong.
3. Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
4. Begin with a short infusion of approximately 10–15 seconds.
5. Pour off completely and enjoy.
6. Continue with fresh hot water, increasing the steeping time gradually.

Gongfu brewing is particularly enjoyable for exploring the tea's changing balance of malt, dried fruit, honey and gentle woody notes.

Brewing Method	Tea and Water	Suggested Time
Western – Lighter Cup	2g / 200ml / 90–95°C	3 minutes
Western – Fuller Cup	3g / 200ml / 90–95°C	4 minutes
Gongfu – First Infusion	5–6g / 100–120ml / 90–95°C	10–15 seconds
Gongfu – Later Infusions	Same leaves, fresh hot water	Increase gradually

Brewing tip: Start with the shorter recommended time to appreciate the tea's honeyed sweetness and floral detail. Increase the infusion time if you prefer a stronger malty cup.

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Wild Dianhong vs Big Gold Needle – What Is the Difference?

Both teas belong to the Yunnan Dianhong family, but they emphasise different leaf styles and flavour profiles.

Our High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong is a loose-leaf selection with rich malt, dried fruit, brown sugar, pinewood and gentle floral notes.

Big Gold Needle Dianhong, also known as Da Jin Zhen, is characterised by its long golden buds and fine tips.

Golden Needle often emphasises honeyed sweetness, caramel and cocoa-like depth alongside its rich malty body.

Choose Wild Dianhong if you enjoy a more rustic, woody-fruity aromatic profile.

Choose Big Gold Needle if you prefer an elegant golden-bud tea with pronounced honey, caramel and cocoa notes.

Explore our Yunnan Big Gold Needle Dianhong Black Tea to compare the two styles.

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Wild Dianhong vs Sun-Baked Mao Feng Dianhong

Yunnan black teas can also differ in their finishing and drying methods.

Our Wild Dianhong is appreciated for its rich malty body, dried-fruit aroma and gentle pinewood character.

Sun-Baked Mao Feng Dianhong, also called Shai Hong, is a Yunnan black tea style associated with sun-drying and slender, twisted leaves.

Our Mao Feng selection offers brown sugar, rosewood, dried stone fruit, honey and a gentle cocoa edge.

Choose Wild Dianhong for its full-bodied, woody-fruity profile and high-mountain old-tree designation.

Choose Sun-Baked Mao Feng for a different leaf shape and a flavour profile centred on rosewood, stone fruit and cocoa.

Discover our Yunnan Old Tree Mao Feng Sun-Baked Dianhong.

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Explore Other Chinese Black Teas at Great Tea

Chinese black teas offer a remarkable range of natural flavours, from delicate floral sweetness to rich malt, fruit and cocoa.

Tea	Origin and Style	Flavour Character
High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong	Yunnan – wild/semi-wild old-tree designation	Malt, dried fruit, brown sugar, orchid and pinewood
Big Gold Needle Dianhong	Yunnan – golden-bud black tea	Honey, caramel, cocoa and ripe fruit
Sun-Baked Mao Feng Dianhong	Yunnan – Shai Hong black tea	Rosewood, stone fruit, brown sugar and cocoa
Jin Zhi Yu Ye Dianhong	Yunnan – golden-tipped black tea	Honey, malt, cocoa and caramel
Golden Monkey Black Tea	Wuyi, Fujian – golden-tipped black tea	Floral honey, caramel and silky sweetness

For a rich golden-bud tea, explore our Big Gold Needle Dianhong.

For a sun-baked Yunnan black tea, discover our Old Tree Mao Feng Dianhong.

For a more refined golden-tipped Yunnan selection, try our Jin Zhi Yu Ye Dianhong.

For a Fujian black tea with floral-honey sweetness, discover our Golden Monkey Black Tea.

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Is Wild Dianhong Naturally Sweet?

Yes. Dianhong can have naturally sweet tasting notes even though no honey, sugar or fruit has been added.

Our Wild Dianhong offers impressions of brown sugar, honey and dried fruit alongside its rich malty flavour.

These characteristics develop from the tea leaves and their processing.

Brewing influences how strongly the sweetness is perceived.

A lighter infusion can emphasise floral and honeyed notes, while a stronger brew brings out more malt and woody depth.

We recommend tasting the tea plain before adding milk or sugar so that its natural flavour can be appreciated.

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Can You Drink Wild Dianhong with Milk?

Yes. This tea can be enjoyed with or without milk, depending on your preference.

Its full-bodied malty character can accommodate a small amount of milk when brewed more strongly.

However, we recommend trying it without additions first.

The tea's dried-fruit, honey, orchid and pinewood notes are easier to distinguish when served plain.

For a stronger cup, increase the leaf quantity slightly rather than allowing the tea to become excessively astringent through prolonged steeping.

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Who Will Enjoy Yunnan Wild Dianhong?

This tea is particularly suited to drinkers who enjoy rich, smooth and naturally sweet black tea.

Its full body makes it satisfying for those accustomed to stronger breakfast-style teas, while its floral and fruity notes provide a more distinctive experience.

It is also a rewarding choice for tea enthusiasts exploring the differences between Yunnan Dianhong leaf styles.

Gongfu brewing allows the aromatic profile to develop gradually, revealing different balances of malt, fruit, honey and wood.

For everyday drinking, a conventional teapot produces a rounded, comforting cup.

The tea's old-tree and high-mountain designation, together with its distinctive flavour, also makes it an interesting gift for someone who appreciates Chinese loose-leaf black tea.

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Ingredients and Caffeine

100% Yunnan Dianhong black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis).

No added honey, sugar, fruit or flavourings.

Malt, brown sugar, dried fruit, orchid and pinewood are natural tasting descriptions, not added ingredients.

As a tea made from Camellia sinensis, it naturally contains caffeine.

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How to Store Yunnan Wild Dianhong Black Tea

Store the tea in a clean, dry and airtight container away from direct sunlight, moisture and excessive heat.

Keep it away from spices, perfumes and other strongly scented products, as tea leaves can absorb surrounding aromas.

Reseal the packaging carefully after each use to help preserve the tea's dried-fruit and honeyed fragrance.

For the best expression of its current flavour, enjoy the tea within its recommended shelf life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wild Dianhong black tea?

Wild Dianhong is a Yunnan black tea style associated with wild or semi-wild tea material. Our selection has a rich malty body with dried-fruit, honey, orchid and woody notes.

Where does this tea come from?

Our High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong comes from Yunnan Province in southwest China.

What does Dianhong mean?

Dianhong is the Chinese name for Yunnan black tea. Dian refers to Yunnan, and Hong refers to red tea, the Chinese term for black tea.

Is this tea a Puer?

No. It is a fully oxidised black tea, not a raw Sheng Puer or a ripe Shu Puer.

What does old tree mean?

Old tree is a tea-growing designation associated with mature tea plants. It does not, by itself, establish the exact age of individual trees.

Is wild Dianhong the same as organic tea?

No. Wild or semi-wild describes a growing designation, while organic certification is a separate standard.

What does Wild Dianhong taste like?

It offers rich malt, dried fruit, brown sugar, honeyed sweetness, delicate orchid notes and a gentle pinewood finish.

Does it contain honey or sugar?

No. Honey and brown sugar are natural tasting notes rather than added ingredients.

How do I brew it?

For Western brewing, use 2–3g per 200ml of water at 90–95°C for 3–4 minutes. For Gongfu brewing, use 5–6g per 100–120ml and begin with 10–15-second infusions.

Can I brew the leaves more than once?

Yes. The leaves can be reinfused. Increase the steeping time gradually as the flavour develops.

Can I add milk?

Yes, but please don't, we recommend tasting the tea plain first to appreciate its fruity, floral and honeyed character.

Does Wild Dianhong contain caffeine?

Yes. It is made from tea leaves and naturally contains caffeine.

What pack sizes are available?

The tea is listed in 125g and 250g loose-leaf options.

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Discover the Rich, Naturally Sweet Character of Yunnan Wild Dianhong

Our Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong combines the satisfying richness of traditional Chinese black tea with dried-fruit aroma, brown-sugar sweetness, delicate orchid and gentle pinewood notes.

Its smooth, full-bodied flavour makes it equally enjoyable as an everyday loose-leaf black tea or a more considered Gongfu tasting.

For a contrasting golden-bud style, discover our Yunnan Big Gold Needle Dianhong.

For another old-tree Yunnan black tea, explore our Sun-Baked Mao Feng Dianhong.

For a Fujian black tea with a softer floral character, try our Golden Monkey Black Tea.

Choose your preferred loose-leaf pack and enjoy the rich malt, dried-fruit sweetness and aromatic depth of Yunnan High Mountain Old Tree Wild Dianhong Black Tea.