White Tea

Black tea is loved by many, and one key reason is that it belongs to the category of fully fermented teas, with a gentle nature. Black tea has a mild temperament and is generally well-received even by those who seldom drink it or are trying it for the first time. While many people enjoy drinking black tea, they often do not pay much attention to the brewing method. Below, we will explain the correct way to brew black tea. The Correct Method of Brewing Black Tea The first step is to choose suitable teaware. It's important to know that any tea requires specific utensils. For black tea, a white porcelain cup is best, as it helps to bring out its unique flavor; The second step involves using good water and ensuring the water temperature reaches around 95 degrees Celsius. High temperatures help extract polyphenols and caffeine from the black tea leaves effectively; The third step is to steep the tea. First, warm up the teaware with boiling water. Then pour hot water into the teapot or teacup and let it sit for 3-5 seconds. This allows the aroma of the tea to develop and the leaves to settle. If using…...

Taishun is located in the mountainous area of southern Zhejiang and is a national-level ecological county. The county is characterized by its towering peaks shrouded in mist, providing an ideal environment for tea cultivation. It is one of China's key tea-producing counties, known as a hometown of Chinese teas and a birthplace of renowned tea-themed dances. Taishun has been recognized as one of China's top 100 tea-producing counties and a beautiful tea-producing region with distinctive regional characteristics. Taishun has a long history of tea production. As early as the sixth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1633), the Taishun County Annals recorded that "Tea grows abundantly near the mountains, with the best quality found in Sijisi, Liudou, and Nanqiao in Sandu." During the Qing Dynasty, the local "Yellow Infusion" and "White Downy Silver Needle" teas were selected as tribute items. After 1949, Taishun stir-fried green tea became a staple ingredient for blending and export by the Shanghai Port Company and Zhejiang Tea Company, earning it the reputation as "the essence of Zhejiang green tea." These products have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions around the world. The Three-Cup Aroma Tea from Taishun is crafted from young…...

In the world of tea, the saying "store new tea, drink aged tea" has been passed down. This viewpoint has sparked much thought and discussion among tea enthusiasts: is this saying reliable? Let's delve deeper together to uncover its mysteries. I. Storing New Tea: Infusing Expectation into Time For teas that can be stored long-term, such as Pu'er, Fu tea, and white tea, storing new tea is a choice made by many tea lovers. New tea, like a young and inexperienced youth, is full of vitality but may lack depth in flavor, not yet having reached its optimal tasting period. However, it is precisely this rawness and immaturity that holds infinite potential and possibilities. A key reason for storing new tea is the anticipation that it will improve with age. Over time, these leaves undergo remarkable chemical changes, with their components interacting to enrich and deepen their flavors. After a period of aging, new tea can develop captivating qualities of warmth, smoothness, silkiness, richness, clarity, sweetness, and body. Storing new tea also brings potential economic benefits. As time passes, high-quality aged teas often increase in value on the market. For those with discerning eyes and a knack for collecting, storing…...

To strengthen the management of tea gardens during summer and autumn and ensure production of teas during these seasons as well as the following spring, the Department of Plant Industry Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, the Expert Advisory Group on Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Tea Industry Technology System, have proposed technical guidelines for tea production in summer and autumn 2024. Strengthen Fertilization Management of Tea Gardens 1. Top-Dressing Fertilization in Tea Gardens (a) Root Fertilization: Top-dressing fertilization for summer tea should be carried out after the spring tea harvest, and for autumn tea after the summer tea harvest. For tea gardens in production, about 15-20 kg of urea or 20-30 kg of specialized compound fertilizer for tea (with a formula of 18:8:12 N:P2O5:K2O) is generally applied per mu, with higher-yielding gardens receiving slightly more. Image Source: Anji White Tea Website Fertilizer should be applied in trenches dug vertically below the edge of the tree canopy, with a depth of about 10-15 cm. Broadcasting of fertilizer is prohibited. In young tea gardens (1-2 years old), fertilizer should be applied 5-10…...

During spring, a person's liver qi tends to become excessively active, which can have adverse effects on the spleen and stomach. Spring is also the season when yang energy rises, making it a time when various pathogens and microorganisms thrive and reproduce. As such, diseases tend to be more prevalent during this period, making spring health preservation particularly important. Tea is described in "Compendium of Materia Medica" as: “Ming, bitter tea. Ming, bitter in taste, slightly cold, non-toxic. It is primarily used for acne, promotes urination, clears phlegm, and quenches thirst. It also helps with sleeplessness and is best harvested in autumn. Bitter tea is used to regulate qi, eliminate food residue from the previous day, and when made into a drink, it can include ingredients like mountain hawthorn, green onions, and ginger.” Here, tea is characterized by its nature and taste as “slightly cold” and “bitter.” According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, sweetness is considered nourishing, while bitterness has a purgative effect, so tea possesses both nourishing and purgative properties. Thus, there is the saying that “tea is a remedy for all illnesses.” Many historical records in China mention the benefits of Pu'er tea, suggesting that “Pu'er tea…...

The Song Dynasty, a period of cultural prosperity in Chinese history, was particularly renowned for its advanced tea culture, with the pointing tea method playing a significant role. This article will guide you through the tea culture of the Song Dynasty, exploring the historical origins, technical characteristics, and modern inheritance of pointing tea. I. Historical Background of Song Dynasty Tea Culture The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was a period of remarkable development in culture, economy, and technology in Chinese history. During this time, tea was not only a daily beverage but also a cultural symbol and medium for social interaction. The literati of the Song Dynasty elevated tea drinking to an art form, creating a unique tea culture. II. Origins and Development of the Pointing Tea Method The pointing tea method originated during the Tang Dynasty but saw significant development and refinement in the Song Dynasty. The method involves grinding tea leaves into powder, then brewing them with hot water and stirring until frothy. This method of tea consumption emphasized not only the color, aroma, and taste of the tea but also the ceremonial and aesthetic aspects of the tea-drinking process. III. The Essence of Pointing Tea Techniques The pointing tea…...

Each type of tea has a specific suitable water temperature for brewing; some types must be steeped directly in boiling water, while others require cooling before steeping, or they will taste unpleasant. However, many seasoned tea drinkers believe that regardless of the type of tea, it should always be steeped in boiling water to bring out its aroma. If you were to say your tea cannot be steeped in boiling water, then sorry, they would immediately assume it is not of good quality. There is indeed a saying: "Good tea isn't afraid of being scalded by boiling water." Is this really true? 01. Why Isn't Good Tea Afraid of Being Scalded by Boiling Water? Judging whether something is "good tea" is subjective for everyone. Good tea is relative, but if we are objective, good tea is determined by good raw materials and good processing methods. If these two conditions are met, the quality of the tea is generally assured. Good raw materials determine that the tea leaves contain abundant substances, are resistant to brewing and can withstand high temperatures without revealing their true colors with just one steeping; good processing ensures stable extraction rates, and if there are issues with…...

"The Xihu District of Hangzhou City should earnestly implement the important concept of 'two mountains' put forward by President Xi Jinping and accelerate the industrialization work of Xihu White Tea. Further efforts should be made to speed up the construction of 'Hangzhou standards,' incorporating Xihu White Tea into a high-standard system, achieving precise management of production data and online digital management of labels; realize high-level management by including Xihu White Tea in a sound institutional protection system, strengthening administrative law enforcement and collaborative protection; particularly strengthen high-quality promotion by establishing and improving inspection, testing, and quality management systems, formulating a series of standards for 'one green, one red, and one white.'” This is the suggestion from Li Hong, a member of the CPPCC Xihu District Committee. Tea is the national drink, and Hangzhou is its capital. As one of Hangzhou's 'golden business cards,' the Zhuantang Subdistrict, known as the birthplace of West Lake Longjing tea, has long been referred to as a 'century-old tea town with a myriad-tan tea country.' Tea has become an important carrier for the high-quality development of local agriculture. On the afternoon of August 1st, a thematic consultation activity titled "Promoting the exploration and extension of…...

Menghai boasts a superior reserve of tea resources. The region encompasses expansive, fertile plains such as Mongzhai, Monghun, Menghai, and Monga, along with continuous mountain ranges. Each mountain is covered with trees, and every ravine has water, making it a verdant home. Tea mountains are scattered throughout, adding vibrant color to the landscape. Menghai County is rich in ancient tea tree resources, which include wild, cultivated types, and related species. Ancient tea trees can be found across all 11 towns in the county, mostly at altitudes between 1,300 and 2,060 meters, in areas with excellent natural ecological conditions. They are distributed in places like Laobanzhang and Laomane in the Bulang Mountain Township, He Kai in Monghun Town, Manxi in Daluo Town, Hesong, Manmai, and Zhanglang in Xiding Township, Pasha and Pazen in Gelande Township, and Nanuoshan, as well as Huazhuliangzi, Banglong, and Sanmai in Mengsong Township. These ancient tea gardens are concentrated and contiguous, with trees over 2 meters tall, strong growth vigor, gray-white trunks, and most have mistletoe and birdlime. Eco-friendly tea garden (photographed by Qiu Kaibei) The tea resources of Menghai not only include wild and cultivated ancient tea trees but also high-quality tea gardens cultivated after the…...

Basic Introduction to Linglong TeaLinglong Tea is a specialty product of Linglong Village, Guidong County, Hunan Province. Linglong Tea is crafted by the tea farmers of Guidong County over a long period through the integration of unique local conditions, including soil, climate, cultivation techniques, and processing methods, resulting in a distinctively exquisite agricultural product.Linglong Tea from Guidong, a high-altitude cloud-veiled tea produced in Qingquan Town, Guidong County, Hunan, has a history of more than 300 years of cultivation. It is of exceptional quality and appearance. The tea leaves are tightly curled into ring-like shapes, with a lustrous green color and silver down fully exposed. Once brewed, the tea liquor is clear and bright, with a rich and mellow taste. Linglong Tea contains amino acids, polyphenols, catechins, caffeine, and other beneficial substances at the most reasonable levels among famous teas in Hunan.Linglong Tea has a refreshing and cool aftertaste that lingers on the palate. Those who have tasted it cannot help but praise it. The tea leaves are shaped like tiny hooks, delicately curved, and since they are produced in Linglong Village, they are elegantly known as "Linglong Tea." Product Features1. Sensory Characteristics:The tea leaves are tightly curled, resembling ring-like shapes,…...

Not only was February 22, 2022 a Tuesday, but it was also the 22nd day of the first month in the Year of the Tiger. On this day filled with love, everything around us was covered in white. Has your social media been flooded with snow pictures? (Leishan tea garden, photo by Wu Xianhai) According to the provincial meteorological bureau, from 08:00 on February 21 to 08:00 on February 22, 2022, light snow or sleet occurred in 77 counties (cities and districts) across the province, with snow accumulation observed in 72 county districts, the deepest being 12 cm in Wanshan. Ice build-up on power lines was recorded in 25 stations, with the largest diameter being 32 mm in Wanshan (including the conductor diameter of 26.8 mm). The lowest temperature in 76 counties (cities and districts) was 0°C or below, with Weining recording the lowest at -6.3°C. Road icing persisted in most areas except for the southern borders of the province. As the saying goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest." But what impact do this year's frequent rainy and cold weather conditions have on tea gardens that are about to enter their main picking season? (Kaiyang tea garden, photo…...

Traditionally processed oolong teas, such as Wuyi rock tea, Phoenix Dancong, and baked Tie Guan Yin, have good stability after roasting. They do not need to be stored in the refrigerator but can be kept in a cool, dry place instead. Oolong teas are generally safe to store at room temperature since they are fully fermented, and this has little impact on their quality. Dark teas, white teas, Pu'er teas, and aged teas, especially Pu'er, rely on aging for their drinking value. Storing these types of tea in the refrigerator could cause dampness issues and also reduce the activity of beneficial enzymes and bacteria within the tea. It is these enzymes and bacteria that contribute to the tea's flavor development over time. Refrigerating these teas would significantly affect their aging process. These types of teas are best stored at room temperature in a dark, well-ventilated, dry area away from strong odors. Storing them in the refrigerator could lead to mold growth. Should Green Tea Be Refrigerated? Green tea is unique because it is meant to be enjoyed for its fresh and crisp taste. Typically, we only drink green tea from the first flush (before the Ming festival). The tea oxidizes…...