Winter is the perfect time to gather with friends and brew a pot of aged White Tea, sharing warm conversations amidst the fragrant steam. It's truly heartwarming.

Winter is a season when vitality lies dormant; practicing good health preservation during this time is crucial for maintaining well-being throughout the following year.

As one of the six major types of Tea, white tea is close to nature and undergoes a quiet transformation. Its taste is smooth and warm, and it also helps dispel wind and cold, making it an ideal drink for winter health preservation.

“One year as tea, three years as medicine, seven years as treasure” aptly describes the value of aged white tea.

01Why is Aged White Tea Suitable for brewing?

When brewed, aged white tea can release rich internal substances, such as polyphenols, amino acids, polysaccharides, theaflavins, and caffeine. The flavor becomes more mellow, the aroma is pleasant, and the taste is soft.

02Is All Aged White Tea Suitable for Brewing?

Aged white tea is better suited for brewing, usually choosing those stored for three to five years, particularly those that have been aged for seven or more years.

Younger white teas are best enjoyed for their freshness. Without the transformation brought about by time, brewing them can result in excessive release of polyphenols and caffeine, leading to a bitter and astringent taste that affects the overall experience.

03Creative Ways to Enjoy Aged White Tea

Creative ways of Drinking Tea have existed since ancient times. During the Tang Dynasty, people often boiled tea and added various ingredients like ginger, jujubes, orange Peel, and mint. Different tea drinkers had different habits and preferences.

So, what can modern tea enthusiasts pair with a pot of aged white tea? Here are three suggestions for your reference:

(1) Old Silver Needle with Longan for Beauty and Blood Nourishment

Silver Needle tea is rich in flavonoids, amino acids, catechins, and Vitamin A, which have antioxidant properties, help whiten skin, reduce inflammation, and improve eye and liver health. Longan is warming in nature and has the benefits of nourishing the heart and spleen, promoting blood circulation, and calming the mind.

The sweetness of longan complements the mellow flavor of Silver Needle, resulting in a rich taste that not only enhances the skin but is also suitable for women.

(2) Old Peony with Jujubes for Drought Relief and Qi Tonification

Adding a few jujubes while cooking old peony tea adds a unique flavor. The thick and warm taste of old peony combined with the sweet and soft jujubes brings a sweet taste to the tea. This not only elevates the aroma of the tea but also strengthens the stomach and replenishes blood.

(3) Old Shoumei with Old Tangerine Peel for Fire Reduction and Spleen Health

Pairing old Shoumei with old tangerine peel is a beautiful encounter.

Old Shoumei is mild and helps cool the body, dispel cold, and reduce fever and toxicity; tangerine peel is warming, enters the lung and spleen meridians, regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, and reduces phlegm.

Adding a moderate amount of dried old tangerine peel to aged Shoumei results in a tea with a rich aroma and a fresh scent from the tangerine peel, which is refreshing and invigorating. The taste is smooth and silky with a sweet aftertaste.