White Tea
ChinaTeaGuru takes you into the refreshing realm of Chinese white tea, exploring its natural fermentation process and unique health benefits.
Total 177 articles
Special Topic:White Tea
-
China’s Tea on the Tip of the Tongue: National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Scented Tea Production Skills, Zhang Yiyuan Jasmine Tea Production Skills
Scented tea originated in the Song Dynasty, began to be produced in the Ming Dynasty and was perfected in the Qing Dynasty. In the late Qing Dynasty, Zhang Changyi established Zhang Yiyuan Tea Shop, which has been passed down through generations, specializing in the production and sale of jasmine tea. During the Republican era, Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea became well-known throughout Beijing. Regulars at bathhouses and theaters almost always requested Zhang Yiyuan tea by name, and Peking Opera masters such as Qiu Shengrong, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, and others were all regular customers of Zhang Yiyuan. Zhang Yiyuan jasmine tea is made using spring tea from Fujian oolong green tea as the base tea, which is scented multiple times with jasmine flowers. Zhang Yiyuan Teahouse bustling with customers Production Techniques 1. Raw Material Inspection (Tea Base and Flowers Inspection): Strictly inspect the tea base, and select jasmine flowers that are full-bodied, evenly sized, and have a lustrous white color. 2. Tea Base Processing: Process different grades of tea into piles for refined production, requiring the tea base moisture content to reach 8%, with an appearance that is clean, uniform, and free of foreign objects. 3. Flower Processing: The jasmine flowers…... -
Why is Pu’er tea pressed into cakes? How long does it take to press a cake of tea?
For many new tea enthusiasts, the production process of Pu'er tea is both familiar and unfamiliar; they know the general steps but are unaware of the specific details. This article will reveal the detailed process of pressing Pu'er tea cakes for you. Why is Pu'er tea pressed into cakes? 1. Pressing tea into cakes makes it convenient for storage and doesn't take up much space. It's also easy to carry one or two cakes when visiting friends and family. 2. Over time, the original aroma of loose Pu'er tea can dissipate, while cake tea retains its aroma for a very long time, becoming more fragrant as it ages. 3. In terms of aging and transformation, loose tea has a larger surface area exposed to air, making it easier to transform initially. However, over time, cake tea transforms more stably and maintains a richer, sweeter flavor. The process of pressing tea can be done manually or by machine. Manual pressing typically refers to using a stone mill, which is a traditional method. Why do we use manual pressing? Manually pressing tea with a stone mill results in better aroma and character, which is more conducive to aging. Let's explore what happens…... -
The Charm of Tea Culture: Exploring Various Teas, Brewing Techniques, and Tea Ware Selection
Tea, as an integral part of Chinese traditional culture, is not just a beverage but also a representation of a way of life. From green tea to black tea and Pu'er tea, each type has its unique flavor and brewing method. In this article, we will delve into the varieties of tea, methods of brewing, and how to select appropriate tea ware. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Green Tea: The Representative of Freshness and Elegance Green tea is an unfermented tea known for its fresh taste and rich nutritional value. Common types include Longjing, Biluochun, and Mao Feng. Brewing Method: The brewing of green tea requires attention to water temperature and time. Generally, use water around 80°C, with a brewing time of 1-2 minutes. Higher temperatures or longer times can destroy the fragrance and taste of the green tea. Tea Ware Selection: Glass cups or porcelain cups are suitable, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the leaves unfolding in the water. Black Tea: Rich and Smooth Flavor Black tea is a fully fermented tea renowned for its strong aroma and sweet taste. Notable black teas include Keemun, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. Brewing Method: Black tea requires hot water at…... -
The Benefits and Efficacy of Drinking White Tea
White tea is known as a one-year tea, a three-year treasure, and a seven-year elixir—the older it gets, the better it becomes. It's not that time takes its toll on our appearance, but rather that we don't drink enough aged white tea. It's especially beneficial for those who often stay up late, have high liver heat leading to acne, bad breath, and irritability. Cooking or steeping a pot of aged white tea each day can be both comfortable and health-promoting. The Benefits of Drinking White Tea White tea is one of China’s traditional famous teas and belongs to the category of minimally processed teas. After harvesting, white tea is neither pan-fried nor rolled; instead, it is sun-dried or gently dried over low heat. Its appearance features intact buds covered in fine downy hairs. The infusion has a clear yellow-green color and a mild, sweet aftertaste. 1. Regulates Blood Sugar: White tea is rich in essential active enzymes. Long-term consumption can increase the activity of lipase in the body, accelerating the breakdown and metabolism of fats. It can also effectively control insulin secretion, reduce sugar absorption, and promote the excretion of excess sugars, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and maintain…... -
Green Precision Prevention and Control Technology Assembly and Application Effects for Tea Pest Management
The integrated approach to green precision prevention and control of major tea pests involves using core technologies such as narrow-band LED insect traps, yellow-red dual-color insect-attracting boards, and efficient sex pheromone lures to maintain target pest populations at a low level through long-term and efficient trapping. This is complemented by biological preventive measures, such as spraying inchworm virus preparations and releasing predatory mites, along with good agricultural practices to control pest populations. Finally, highly efficient, low water-soluble chemical pesticides are used as emergency measures in the event of large-scale pest outbreaks. In recent years, tea plant protection scientists have conducted extensive research on pest control techniques, developing effective green precision prevention and control technologies for tea pests. Below, we will use three of the most important pests in Chinese tea gardens—the gray inchworm, the tea inchworm, and the tea tiny green leafhopper—as examples. Integrated Approach to Green Precision Prevention and Control of Major Tea Pests I. Green Precision Prevention and Control Technology Model for Gray Inchworm and Tea Inchworm Note: “√” indicates the selected control technique at the corresponding time. The same applies below. 1. Core Key Technologies (1) Sex Pheromone Lures. Based on the severity of the previous year,…... -
Four Methods for Storing Tea
How to store tea? Many people are troubled by this question. Loving tea, they purchase countless quantities of it, originally intending to savor it slowly, only to often find the tea has gone bad due to improper storage, leading to significant waste. So, how exactly should tea be stored? Four methods for storing tea 1. Refrigerator Storage Storing tea in the refrigerator is common and simple, but it has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look: Teas that are typically stored in the refrigerator include green tea, black tea, and processed white teas (like Anji White Tea and Tianmu Lake White Tea, not Fuding White Tea). Why can these types of tea be stored in the fridge? This is because we tend to consume green and black teas quickly, and they are usually packaged in small quantities—ranging from 200 grams to as little as 50 grams. Since the storage volume is small and can be consumed within a month, storing them in the refrigerator for preservation is not an issue. However, white tea and Pu'er tea are not…... -
How to Brew Raw Pu’er Tea?
Raw Pu'er tea and ripe Pu'er tea are the two types of Pu'er. It is best to store raw Pu'er for a period before brewing, as this will make its taste smoother. A purple clay pot is recommended for brewing raw Pu'er. Two rinses are required when brewing, followed by a third steeping of 10 seconds. Afterward, pour the tea into a filter cup to remove the leaves, then evenly distribute it into small cups for serving. How to Brew Raw Pu'er Tea The last step that influences the quality of the tea before tasting is the brewing process. Each type of tea has its own brewing techniques, and each specific variety has its own nuances. Today, we'll introduce you to the key points of brewing raw Pu'er tea, hoping to provide some useful guidance. Choice of Tea Utensils 1. Main Brewing Vessels Covered Bowl (Porcelain Pot): The first choice for younger Pu'er teas or those with loose leaves. Purple Clay Pot/Silver Pot: The first choice for aged Pu'er with tightly compressed leaves. Pros and Cons: A covered bowl makes it easier to control the water flow and speed, effectively avoiding oversteeping, and allows for direct observation of the tea…... -
How Much Does a Pound of Huangshan Maofeng Tea Cost? Is It Worth It?
Huangshan Maofeng, one of China’s top ten famous teas, is renowned for its tender buds, beautiful appearance, rich aroma, and sweet taste. It is produced in the Huangshan Scenic Area in Anhui Province and has a history dating back over 1,800 years, often referred to as the “saint of teas.” The quality of Huangshan Maofeng primarily depends on the harvest time, leaf grade, and production methods. Harvest Time The harvest times for Huangshan Maofeng are generally divided into pre-rain, post-rain, before the clear spring (mingqian), Guyu, and White Dew. Among these, those harvested pre-rain and before the clear spring are of the highest quality and, accordingly, the most expensive. Leaf Grade The leaf grades of Huangshan Maofeng mainly include Special Grade, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade. Among them, the Special Grade Huangshan Maofeng has the most delicate buds, vibrant green color, rich aroma, and sweet taste, making it a true delicacy. Production Methods The production process of Huangshan Maofeng includes picking, withering, stir-frying, shaping, and drying. Among these steps, the stir-frying process is crucial and directly impacts the tea’s quality. Price of Huangshan Maofeng The price of Huangshan Maofeng ranges from dozens of yuan to several thousand yuan…... -
A Comprehensive Guide to Tea Drinking! Choose the Right Tea for Your Constitution
Tea, by nature, is cold and can help clear the mind and soothe the spirit. Different people have different constitutions, which means they should drink different types of tea. Therefore, choosing the right tea and drinking it well starts with understanding the nature of the tea and the suitable groups of people for each type. Nature of Teas 01 Green Tea: The core process is "fixation," making its nature cold. People with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, or abundant energy can benefit from drinking green tea, as it has great effects in clearing heat, refreshing the mind, and boosting alertness. Green tea also has excellent radiation protection benefits, making it ideal for those who work on computers. White Tea: The core process involves "withering and sun drying" followed by natural storage, which transforms the tea's nature from cold to cool and then to mild. Fresh white teas share many properties with green tea, but the most significant difference is that while aged green tea becomes like grass, aged white tea becomes even more precious. As it ages, old white tea becomes even milder, making it suitable for a wider range of people. Oolong Tea (Blue Tea): The core process…... -
How to Perfectly Brew Bulang Ancient Tree Tea?
Hello everyone! Today, let’s talk about how to brew Bulang ancient tree tea. Bulang ancient tree tea is loved by many tea enthusiasts for its unique aroma and taste. However, to fully appreciate the best flavor of Bulang ancient tree tea, the brewing method is crucial. In the following, I will introduce in detail the brewing method of Bulang ancient tree tea, hoping to help every tea enthusiast. (Image source: network, delete upon request) What is Bulang Ancient Tree Tea? Bulang ancient tree tea is a type of Pu'er tea, produced in Bulang Mountain, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The ancient tea trees here have a long history, with most being several hundred years old. The leaves of Bulang ancient tree tea are thick and glossy, with a high aroma and rich taste that lingers pleasantly, making it much loved by tea enthusiasts. Preparation of Tools for Brewing Bulang Ancient Tree Tea Before brewing Bulang ancient tree tea, we need to prepare some tools: Teapot or Gaiwan: It is recommended to use a clay teapot or white porcelain Gaiwan, as these can better bring out the aroma of the tea leaves. Teacups: Choose white porcelain teacups, which allow you to better…... -
Introduction to Gongfu Tea Sets and Usage Methods
1. Gaiwan Ceramic Tea Set A gaiwan tea set is a type of tea ware that consists of a lid, a saucer, and a bowl. It is also known as the "Three Talents Bowl," with the lid representing heaven, the saucer representing earth, and the bowl representing humanity. Drinking gaiwan tea is full of flavor. If you want a stronger tea infusion, gently scrape the surface of the water with the lid, causing the tea to swirl around in the bowl. Light scraping results in a lighter infusion, while heavier scraping makes it stronger — this is its charm. 2. Aroma Cup The aroma cup is used for smelling the fragrance and is longer and thinner than a tasting cup. It is a unique piece of tea ware for oolong tea, often used when brewing highly fragrant Taiwanese oolongs. It is usually paired with a tasting cup of the same material, and adding a saucer creates a complete aroma cup set. Benefits include: one, good insulation which allows the heat to last longer, giving drinkers a chance to warm their hands by holding the cup's neck; two, slower release of aromas, allowing drinkers to fully appreciate and savor the scent.…... -
How to Store White Tea Best
The best way to store white tea for short-term: Prepare a kraft paper bag, then put the white tea in the kraft paper bag, squeeze out the air in the bag, seal it well, and store it in a dry and odorless place. For long-term storage of white tea, use an aluminum foil bag to pack the white tea and seal it, then put another layer of plastic bag on the outside, squeeze out the air in the bag, finally place it in a cardboard box, and store it in a cool place. The Method of Storing White Tea Since loose white tea is too light and takes up a lot of space, pressing it into cakes is more convenient; secondly, pressing it into cakes can greatly reduce the loss of tea (crumbs) from long-term storage and occasional handling. Thirdly, compared with Pu'er tea, small to medium-leafed white tea is less resistant to oxidation (small to medium leaves have naturally less effective internal substances than large leaves and cannot withstand much handling), pressing it into white tea cakes reduces the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the white tea in the space, allowing the white tea to be…...