Zi Ya

Zi Ya (紫芽)

Also known as Tai Cha #25, Purple Bud, and 紫芽

Zi Ya (紫芽) is a purple-leaf mutation found in Da Ye Zhong.

Name

紫 (pronounced Zi in Mandarin): means purple.
芽 (pronounced Ya in Mandarin): means bud.

紫芽 means purple bud.

Genetic Mutation

Zi Ya (紫芽) refers to tea leaves that possess a genetic mutation that causes a purplish hue in their leaves. This mutation is most commonly found in the Da Ye Zhong (大叶种) varietal.

This purple color comes from high concentrations of anthocyanin, the same compound that gives blueberries, purple grapes, and red cabbage their color. Anthocyanins are odorless and flavorless, so there is generally no relationship between the color of the leaves and the brew's flavor.

While the term began as a colloquial reference to any tea with visibly purple leaves, it is now being used to refer to a specific varietal, grown in Taiwan.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, Zi Ya (紫芽) is most commonly processed into Hong Cha (红茶). During the enzymatic browning that happens during oxidation, the amount of anthocyanins plummets, resulting in final leaves that are darker and less violet than when fresh-plucked.

Tai Cha #25 is the specific varietal designation for this strain, and purple leaves in Taiwan are currently being sold as Zi Ya (紫芽). It is a crossbreeding between Da Ye Zhong (大叶种) and Cui Yu (翠玉)

Yunnan

Yunnan leaves, primarily Da Ye Zhong (大叶种), are also susceptible to the purple leaf mutation. When found growing sporadically in the wild, they are sold as Zi Ya (紫芽).

The cloned and cultivated Yunnan-grown varietal is called Zi Juan (紫娟).