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Yunnan Red Tea

GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES  /  warm · rich · earthy
Yunnan Red Tea
Yunnan Red Tea perfume ingredient
CategoryGREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES
Subcategorywarm · rich · earthy
Origin
VolatilityHeart Note
BotanicalCamellia sinensis var. assamica
Odor StrengthMedium
Producing CountriesChina (Yunnan province)
PyramidHeart

Malty, sweet, cocoa-edged black tea from Yunnan's ancient tea forests. Dian Hong has a rich, honeyed warmth distinct from Assam or Ceylon.

  1. Scent
  2. The Full Story
  3. Fun Fact
  4. Extraction & Chemistry
  5. In Perfumery

Scent

Malty, honey-sweet, faintly chocolatey. Less tannic than Assam. A golden warmth with cocoa edges and rosy undertone from geraniol. The honey-malt character is Yunnan's signature.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Immediately

Bright malty-sweet tea with rosy lift
After a few hours

After a few hours

Honey warmth, cocoa edges
After a few days

After a few days

Persistent malty-sweet warmth, smooth

The Full Story

Yunnan red tea (Dian Hong) is from large-leaf Camellia sinensis var. assamica. The fully oxidized leaves produce particular malty, sweet, chocolatey character differing from Indian and Sri Lankan teas.

Key aromatic difference comes from terroir: ancient trees, high altitude, unique processing microbiome. Higher levels of geraniol, linalool, and theaflavins.

In perfumery, adds malty, honey-sweet, cocoa warmth. Less tannic than Assam, less citrusy than Earl Grey.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Related: Acronychia Pedunculata · Adoxal · Agave · Algae · Aloe Vera · Aromatic Notes · Asparagus · Avocado

Did You Know?

Did you know?
Yunnan is considered the birthplace of tea. Wild Camellia sinensis trees over 1,000 years old still grow there. Their genetic diversity exceeds all cultivated varieties combined.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: CO2 extraction or solvent extraction of processed tea leaves. Tea absolute also available.

Molecular Formulacomplex mixture (theaflavins, polyphenols, caffeine)
CAS Number84650-60-2
Botanical NameCamellia sinensis var. assamica
IFRA StatusNo known restrictions
SynonymsDIAN HONG · YUNNAN BLACK TEA · YUNNAN RED
Physical Properties
Odor StrengthMedium
Specific Gravity0.920 to 0.970 @ 25 °C (est)

In Perfumery

Heart-to-base element providing honey-malty tea warmth. Key molecules: geraniol, linalool, theaflavins, maltol. Pairs with cocoa, honey, vanilla, dried fruit.

From the raw to the worn

This is what it becomes.