A Guide to White Tea: The Three Signature Varieties of China's Famous Lightly Fermented Tea
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Time to read 4 min
Introduction
White tea is a traditional specialty of China and belongs to the category of lightly fermented teas. High-quality white tea is covered with fine silvery hairs, shaped like needles, and shines with a soft glow. Its liquor and leaf base are both light, clear, and elegant. White tea has a naturally cooling nature and is known for its ability to reduce internal heat and clear inflammation.
Among the many varieties of white tea, Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) and Bai Mudan (White Peony) are considered true treasures. Below, we’ll explore three premium and representative types of white tea to help you better appreciate their unique characteristics and beauty.
1. Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle)
Baihao Yinzhen, also known simply as Silver Needle, is regarded as the finest and most prestigious white tea. It is primarily produced in Fuding and Zhenghe, two counties in Fujian Province, and has earned titles such as the "King of Tea" and "The Beauty of Tea."
The harvesting of Silver Needle is extremely strict, following what's known as the " Ten No-Picks" rule. The ten types of buds that are not harvested include:
Buds during rainy weather
Buds with dew not yet dried
Purple-tinted buds
Thin and weak buds
Bug-bitten buds
Wind-damaged buds
Split or open buds
Manually damaged buds
Hollow buds
Diseased buds
Its production is quite simple—only involving withering and baking. Through natural, slow transformation during withering, Silver Needle gradually reveals its signature flavor and aroma.
Quality Characteristics:
Dry Leaf: Premium Silver Needle tea has fat, straight, silvery buds with a bright sheen. Inferior teas may appear dull, short, or weak.
Infused Leaf: Top-grade Silver Needle shows a yellowish-green hue that may shift to reddish-brown with age. The leaves should be uniform and tidy.
Liquor and Taste: The tea brews to a light apricot color. Northern Silver Needle tends to be light, fresh, and refreshing, while the Southern variety offers a thicker, deeper flavor with a clear and elegant aroma.
2. Bai Mudan (White Peony)
White Peony Tea, or Bai Mudan, is a well-known tea from Fujian Province. Also a lightly fermented tea, it earns its name because the tea buds and leaves are covered in fine white hairs and resemble blooming peony flowers when steeped.
White Peony is a top-grade white tea, mainly produced in Jianyang, Songxi, Zhenghe, and Fuding. It follows traditional processing methods that involve withering and drying, where mastering the withering process is especially crucial.
Its harvesting process is also meticulous. Spring leaves are preferred, and only those that meet the “ Three Whites ” standard (bud, first leaf, and second leaf all must have white hairs) are picked.
Quality Characteristics:
Dry Leaf: It features a "one bud, two leaves" structure, often forming a heart shape. The bud is silvery and plump, with naturally stretched leaves covered in fine white hairs.
Infused Leaf: A high-quality White Peony has pale gray leaves that are plump, intact, and even, with faint reddish leaf veins. Inferior teas have broken, messy leaves with dull color.
Liquor and Taste: The tea brews into a clear, bright orange-yellow or apricot-yellow color. It offers a fresh, mellow, and slightly sweet flavor with a lasting, delicate floral aroma.
3. Shoumei (Longevity Eyebrow)
Shoumei, sometimes called Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow), is a variety of white tea made from the mature leaves of the “Small White” tea cultivar. It is the most widely produced type of white tea and is primarily cultivated in Fuding, Jianyang, Pucheng, and Jian’ou , all located in Fujian Province.
Shoumei has a long-standing history. In particular, the Shoumei from Fuding is known as a “living fossil of tea.” Its strict picking standards usually involve one bud and two or three leaves. Only strong and tender leaves with obvious buds are considered acceptable.
In recent years, “Shoumei” has become the recognized name for this class of mature-leaf white teas. It is a popular product in Hong Kong and Macau and is poised to become a major player in the global tea market.
Quality Characteristics:
Dry Leaf: Premium Shoumei is greenish with an eyebrow-like shape. The buds and leaves are covered with fine white hairs, and the bud is clearly visible and abundant.
Infused Leaf: Good-quality Shoumei leaves are bright, soft, and even. Under sunlight, the veins may appear red—an indicator of freshness and proper processing.
Liquor and Taste: When brewed, the tea presents a rich orange or deep yellow color. It offers a full-bodied, smooth, and refreshing taste, with a pure and lingering aroma.
Final Thoughts: A Gentle Journey into the World of White Tea
White tea is often referred to as the most delicate and natural of teas, and for good reason. Its minimal processing preserves the natural essence of the tea leaf, while its subtle flavors provide a calming, healthful experience.
Whether you’re enjoying the elegant simplicity of Silver Needle, the floral beauty of White Peony, or the mellow richness of Shoumei, each variety of white tea offers a distinct expression of China’s tea heritage.
At Red Rock Tea House, we honor these traditions by offering authentic white teas, carefully sourced and hand-selected from the heart of Fujian. Explore our collection and sip your way through centuries of Chinese tea culture.
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