Among the Tea trees in Wuyi Mountain, the leaves are all dark green, and the emerging tea buds are straight, bright and clean. However, the leaves of White Cockatoo are light yellow-green, showing a whitish hue, with buds that are curved and hairy, resembling the crest of a rooster.
White Cockatoo is one of the four famous clones of Wuyi Rock Tea. According to Luo Shengcai's “Record of Famous Clones of Wuyi Rock Tea,” White Cockatoo originated from the Outer Ghost Cave below Flame Peak in Huizhun (with trees of equal renown found at White Snake Cave in Wuyi Palace and Bat Cave on Yinscreen Peak), and it is said that White Cockatoo predates Dahongpao, having been cultivated during the Ming dynasty. “The imperial court commanded the temple monks to guard the tree, annually granting them 100 taels of Silver and 40 dou of grain, and each year they would prepare and present it as tribute tea, which continued to be the case throughout the Qing Dynasty.”
The White Cockatoo tea plant is an asexual clone. It is a shrub type, medium leaf category, and a late-season variety. The plant is of medium size, with a semi-spreading posture and dense branches. The leaves are slightly upwardly inclined. The leaves are 8.2 cm long, long elliptical, with a color tending towards light green. The young leaves are thin and silky, with a pale green color tinged with yellow, hence the name White Cockatoo. The leaf surface is broad, with a prominent ridge between the leaf flesh and veins. The leaf texture is relatively thick and crisp. The leaf margin is flat or slightly undulating, with sparse and shallow serrations. The main vein is coarse and prominent, and the leaf tip is gradually pointed or slightly blunt. The buds and leaves are robust and yellow-green, with a thick layer of downy hairs on the back. The flower corolla has a diameter of 3.8 cm, with 6-7 petals. The stigma is slightly longer than the stamens, divided into three parts. The plant has strong bud and leaf fertility and good tenderness. The optimal harvesting period for spring tea is in early May. When processed into Oolong Tea, the quality is outstanding, with a distinctive aroma and evident “rock character.”
The Legend of White Cockatoo and Daoism
①: Legend has it that White Cockatoo was discovered and cultivated by Bai Yuchan, the founder of the Southern Sect of Daoist Alchemy (and abbot of Zizhi Hermitage in Wuyi Palace). After being harvested and processed, it served as a tea for Daoists to drink while meditating and regulating their breath for health preservation. Wuyi Mountain is known in Daoism as the Sixteenth Ascension and True Transformation Grotto Heaven (a place where Daoists cultivate to become immortals). Given its connection to Bai Yuchan, White Cockatoo is often referred to as a Daoist tea.
②: There is a legend that Li Moling from Yanjing in the Northern Song Dynasty, along with several fellow Daoists, settled in Wuyi Mountain to practice Daoism and extensively planted tea trees. The Daoists kept a white rooster that crowed to announce the dawn. One summer day, the sound of the rooster's sharp cries could be heard outside, as a fierce mountain hawk swooped down to peck at the rooster. The rooster fought back with its wings, and the battle was brutal. The rooster's blood splattered all over the tea garden, and eventually, it died. From then on, the tea plants where the rooster's blood had fallen grew exceptionally well, and the leaves turned from dark green to light green and then to a pale white. The resulting tea had a unique color; unlike other teas which were brownish, this one was a milky white with a yellowish hue. The tea liquor was crystal clear, and tasting it revealed a cool and sweet flavor, instilling a sense of tranquility. It also effectively relieved heat and transformed phlegm, making it particularly effective for treating wind-heat and phlegm. The Daoists named this tea White Cockatoo.
There are two types of White Cockatoo: one originates from the Outer Ghost Cave below Huizhun Rock, with a prominent ridge between the leaf flesh and veins, and a thick and prominent main vein. The rough tea of this White Cockatoo has a rich and lasting fragrance, with a full-bodied aroma and an orange-yellow liquor. The other type originates from White Cockatoo tea trees near Bat Cave on Yinscreen Peak and White Snake Cave in Wuyi Palace. These trees have distinct morphological characteristics compared to those from the Outer Ghost Cave, but the rough tea has a similarly rich and lasting fragrance, with a mellow and slightly thick taste and an orange-yellow liquor.
Why Does White Cockatoo Have a Yellowish-White Hue?
a: Spring shoots b: Summer shoots c: Autumn shoots d: Winter shoots
Research indicates that the leaves of White Cockatoo are sensitive to light, turning more yellow with stronger light. However, there are also studies that show the leaves are more yellow during spring and autumn compared to summer. Since the light intensity is highest in summer, yet the leaves are the greenest, this contradicts the previous conclusion. Therefore, it can be inferred that the leaf color of White Cockatoo might be regulated by both temperature and light, although the specific mechanism controlling leaf color remains to be further studied.
Tasting Notes: The dry tea leaves are slightly loose and scattered, with a color ranging from yellow-green to brown. When brewed with boiling water, the aroma of Gardenia is prominent, accompanied by a faint scent of fish mint. The taste is sweet and smooth, with a pleasant aftertaste and lingering flavor. The liquor is light yellow and clear. The floral aroma persists through seven infusions. The infused leaves are light green with vibrant red edges, offering excellent visual appeal.
White Cockatoo stands out among the famous clones of Wuyi Rock Tea, with extremely high recognizability. It is truly a representative with exceptional appearance!