In the theater of life, drinking Tea is not merely a daily routine but rather a unique predilection, a profound indulgence. Just like our well-known friend Su Shi, in whose world of tea obsession, it is an indispensable presence.
He would think of tea while gazing at the scenery, leaving behind beautiful verses such as “Do not reminisce about old friends and homeland, instead try new tea with new fire, savoring poetry and wine while young”; in his nightly dreams, tea was never absent, “On the twelfth night until the fifteenth, heavy snow finally cleared. Dreamt of brewing small-sphere tea with snow water, enjoyed by a beauty's song,” clearly showing his passion for tea; even when thirsty on the road, he longed for a cup of tea, “Drowsy from the wine and the long journey, only thinking of tea, knocking on a wild villager's door to ask.” For many seasoned tea drinkers, they cannot go a day without tea, a true reflection of their lives.
Especially in summer, when the dog days arrive and high temperatures persist, the scorching sun overhead, hot winds caressing the face, and cicadas chirping like waves, the weather is unbearably hot, sunny, dry, and stuffy. In such seasons, tea becomes a companion that quenches thirst and seeks inner peace. So, in this sweltering summer, what kind of white tea is suitable for us? Below are carefully curated tea recommendations that will surely solve your selection dilemmas.
I. Upon Returning from Outdoors, Fresh White Tea Offers Cool Comfort
In the scorching heat of midsummer, leaving the cool comfort of air conditioning to run errands feels like a daunting challenge. Even fully equipped with sun hats, UV-protective clothing, and umbrellas, it's hard to escape the omnipresent heat. As seen in today's forecast, next week's temperature in Fuzhou will approach 40°C, making surfaces so hot they could fry eggs after hours under the sun.
Returning from a trip outdoors, drenched in sweat and suffused with heat, stepping into a cooler room, changing shoes, drying off, washing the face, and tidying up a bit, yet the heat still lingers. Sitting down to drink a cup of fresh white tea is then the perfect choice.
Compared to other teas, white tea is not kneaded or heated, allowing its natural flavor to be richly preserved, with a refreshingly mellow taste. Among white teas, fresh white tea is like a novice youth, containing more un-aged tea flavors. When steeped with boiling water, these flavors are instantly released. The taste of the tea is incredibly fresh and pure, soothing to the heart and soul. With a gentle sip, the throat is left with a lasting freshness and fragrance. Delicate aromas of downy, floral, and bamboo forest scents linger in the throat. After several sips of the tea, exhaling reveals the lingering aroma, a truly delightful experience.
Despite the intense heat of the dog days, a cup of fresh white tea brings a moment of tranquility and coolness. Its freshness, soothing quality, and delicate fragrance are like a timely rain, perfectly dispelling the heat and irritability of summer.
II. For Long Hours in the Office, Aged White Tea Offers Healthful Care
Air conditioning is undoubtedly a great invention of modern society. After the onset of the dog days, many friends in the city express their adherence to the principle of “no going out unless necessary,” opting to stay indoors with the air conditioning. After all, 40°C is no joke, and venturing outside during the day can easily lead to heatstroke. Only after sunset, when the ground cools, around seven o'clock in the evening, is it suitable to go out.
However, spending long periods indoors with air conditioning isn't entirely beneficial. It can lead to a series of minor ailments, such as dizziness, dry skin, sore throat, and decreased appetite, commonly known as “air conditioning sickness.” For office workers, prolonged sitting in an air-conditioned environment, lacking exercise and exposed to cold drafts, weakens the immune system. Spending extended time in a closed space exacerbates discomfort and suboptimal health.
In such circumstances, aged white tea is recommended for those who spend long hours in the office. Compared to fresh tea, aged for no less than three years, its nature becomes more temperate and harmonious. Caffeine, polyphenols, and other tea flavor components are gradually reduced through oxidation and complexation over the years. Meanwhile, the content of beneficial flavonoids increases.
After years of storage, the tea broth becomes richer, with a stronger body and longer-lasting sweetness. Herbal, aged, and woody fragrances become more prominent. If you feel dry skin and a parched throat after sitting in an air-conditioned room for half a day, applying lotion and drinking cold water can only provide temporary relief. To truly invigorate the body, get up and move around.
Fill a kettle with purified water and boil it. Thoroughly rinse the teaware needed for brewing—teapot, pitcher, and cups—and place them on the tea tray. After the water boils, warm the teaware. Place an appropriate amount of aged white tea (5 grams for standard teapot brewing) into the teapot, cover lightly, and shake to smell the dry leaves. Pour boiling water directly into the teapot, evenly covering the dry leaves, and quickly pour out the tea. Observe the surface of the broth. High-altitude white tea, after years of aging, has a substantial flavor, often forming fine bubbles on the surface of the thick broth.
Sip the rich and fragrant hot tea slowly, feeling the rapid emergence of sweetness in the throat. The deep herbal aroma clears the senses. Tasting this mild and rich aged white tea in a well-air-conditioned room brings immense comfort, effectively alleviating the discomforts associated with “air conditioning sickness.”
III. For Irritated Moods, Floral White Tea Provides Emotional Comfort
The Qing dynasty painter Yun Tian once said, “The mountains of summer are enraged.” Using the word “enraged” to describe summer is incredibly apt. During the dog days, the sun blazes fiercely, and the heat is unbearable. Walking along the streets, the blazing heat seems to burn the exposed skin. Literally, in the scorching air of the dog days, one could light a match and watch it ignite instantly, like a firecracker, exploding at the slightest touch.
The scorching heat of midsummer ignites anger like a lit fuse. In this unbearable heat, many people experience symptoms such as liver fire, irritability, and heatiness. Sitting at a desk, the mind struggles to calm down, even after reading for a long time. Returning to work, facing the computer, thoughts become disorganized. In this heat, emotions fluctuate, affecting learning and work.
When Drinking Tea, it is recommended to choose leaves with a strong floral fragrance. Natural tea aromas are excellent for adjusting emotions. When the mind calms, one naturally feels a refreshing breeze. Among white teas, none is more famous for its aroma than Bai Mudan. Especially in its fresh stage, Bai Mudan is known as the “Floral Fairy of White Tea.” Its floral fragrance is fresh and elegant, with layers of changes. The aroma resembles that of orchids, osmanthus, gardenias, jasmine, night-blooming cereus, privet flowers, water stone oaks, and acacia flowers, among others.
When steeped with boiling water, the tea aroma rises. Even before tasting, just smelling the aroma soothes restless emotions. Sitting indoors, feeling this tranquility, one can understand the truth of “a calm mind naturally feels cool.”
Since July, there has been no rainfall. For over half a month, not a single thorough rain has fallen, only clear skies and unrelenting heat. Minor Heat and Major Heat bring continuous heat and humidity. Going out feels like entering a steamer, with no trace of coolness. In this extreme heat, people yearn for rain to extinguish the scorching heat.
Just as it is human nature to long for rain after a long drought or sunshine after prolonged rain, one can apply this mindset to Tea drinking. Regardless of the season, alternate between different teas. Drink fresh white tea for half a month, followed by aged white tea for another half. This alternation ensures a fresh experience, allowing you to find the unique coolness and tranquility of summer in various tea flavors.
In summary, in this hot