Ban Tian Yao is available again. The new version comes from a different tea farmer, and the flavor profile differs somewhat from the previous description, although the characteristics of the varietal are clearly displayed in the current version. This tea is also included in the value offer of Four Renowned Bushes.
(Updated in Aug 2026)
Ban Tian Yao, one of the four renowned bushes of Yancha, can be translated into English as Mid-air Elf. Due to the homonymous Chinese characters that the name uses, it could also be interpreted as Heaven's Waist, however, our team prefer to call it Mid-air Elf, due to its variable and shifty characteristics, exactly like an elf floating in mid-air.
Besides the orchid fragrance that you can commonly find in many Yancha, there are also other mixed floral scents such as Osmanthus and Magnolia in our 2020 Ban Tian Yao, as well as a hint of fruity scent, particularly an apricot note. We wouldn't describe it as an aggressive tea, but it still has a relatively strong flavour and long aftertaste.
Updated March 2022
Our 2021 Ban Tian Yao comes from a factory different than the 2020 version, so the two products will have some differences in flavors and aromas.
