Each little pearl is a hand-rolled bundle of tea waiting to unfurl. Our Black Dragon Pearls are a hand-rolled, small-batch production from Yunnan, China, made using only the highest quality leaves and buds.

History & Heritage

Yunnan's black tea, known in China as Dian Hong, has a surprisingly modern story. In the autumn of 1938, with China's traditional eastern tea regions cut off by war, tea specialist Feng Shaoqiu traveled to Shunning (today's Fengqing) and found large tea trees with plump, downy buds. His trial black tea impressed buyers, and in 1939 a new factory produced Yunnan's first export batch. The name Dian Hong means "red tea of Dian," after an ancient name for Yunnan. In China, what the West calls black tea is called red tea, after the color of the brewed cup. Fengqing is still celebrated in China as the homeland of Dian Hong, and its large-leaf tea trees remain the source of the province's most admired black teas.

Interesting Facts

• Before 1939, Yunnan produced mainly green-style tea and had no black tea tradition.

• Rolling tea into pearls takes skilled handwork, and the shape protects the leaf until it opens in hot water.

Tasting Notes & Pairings

The pearls brew a rich cup with the signature Yunnan sweetness and hints of jammy flavor, with just the right amount of astringency and a touch of earthiness. Watching them slowly open is half the fun. Try it with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, or a slice of spiced cake. A splash of milk is optional, but the pearls are lovely on their own.

Brewing tips (general guideline): we recommend 2–3 pearls per 8 oz cup of water at 212°F, steeped 3–5 minutes. Adjust to taste.

Like every tea at Beantown Tea & Spices, Black Dragon Pearls is a quality loose-leaf tea offered at an affordable price, with sample and larger sizes so you can find your favorite. Explore more in our Black Tea collection, or pair it with our tea accessories.