White Tea is loved by many due to its mild and sweet taste, which is neither too strong nor too weak. It has a high acceptance rate. If you're looking to buy white Tea but are unsure about the varieties and how to choose, this article will provide all the information you need!
1. Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen): The King of White Teas
Made from single buds, the finished tea resembles needles with dense white down, giving it a silver appearance, hence the name. It's the highest grade of white tea and can be classified into Special Grade, First Grade, and Second Grade based on the robustness of the bud.
Aroma: Prominent downy aroma mixed with floral notes
Taste: Sweet and refreshing with a lasting aftertaste
Infusion color: Pale yellow and clear
2. White Peony (Bai Mudan): The Fairy of Teas
Made from one bud and one leaf, it is second in tenderness only to Silver Needle. Its green leaves with silver-white down resemble flowers, and when brewed, the green leaves cradle the tender buds, resembling a flower bud just beginning to open, hence the name White Peony. It combines the downy aroma and sweetness of Silver Needle with the jujube aroma of Shou Mei, producing a full-bodied infusion with rich flavor, making it the most complex among the four types of white teas.
It also offers the best value for money.
Aroma: Rich floral fragrance with fresh and pure downy aroma
Taste: Refreshingly sweet with a complex taste and a hint of downy aroma
Infusion color: Apricot or orange-yellow, clear and bright
3. Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei): The Nobleman of Teas
Made from one bud with two or three leaves, it is the least consistent in production volume. Gong Mei has a rich and intense taste with high sweetness. During aging, it develops unique aromas such as honey fruit, and the optimal drinking age is 7 years or more.
Aroma: With grassy or jujube notes
Taste: Refreshingly sweet and rich with a hint of honey and jujube aroma
Infusion color: Orange-yellow
4. Longevity Eyebrow (Shou Mei): The Treasure of Teas
The picking requirements for Shou Mei are relatively simple compared to other white teas, made from mature leaves and including tea stalks. It's the most affordable option and ideal for everyday consumption, being a tea that suits the masses with outstanding taste.
Aroma: The prominence of jujube aroma varies depending on the storage duration
Taste: Refreshingly sweet and rich with a hint of honey and jujube aroma
Infusion color: Orange-yellow
The taste of white tea changes each year based on the length of storage, often referred to as “a one-year tea, a three-year medicine, and a seven-year treasure.”