Wild Tree Black Tea from Daxueshan (Yeshengcha) This traditionally roasted black tea originates in the majestic Daxueshan Mountains of Lincang, southwest Yunnan. The name “Daxueshan” translates to “Great Snow Mountain,” named after its snow-capped peak standing tall at 3,480 meters.
The wild tea trees (Ye Sheng Cha), often referred to by local farmers as Shan Cha (“mountain tea”), thrive at elevations between 2,000–2,300 meters. Remarkably, despite growing so high up, the tea buds sprout earlier than most teas across Yunnan and the rest of China—making them ready for harvest by late March.
Daxueshan wild tea is cherished for its subtle flavor and fragrant notes of wild orchid. The farmers who cultivate it belong to the Li Su minority—an ethnic group rare in Yunnan and known for their mountain lifestyle. Their philosophy leans toward simplicity and tradition, preferring to produce less tea in favor of a peaceful way of life.
