Peony

Brewing tea is an art that requires method. Even the finest tea cannot fully express its true flavor if brewed improperly. Only by following the correct brewing methods can one truly savor the authentic taste and enjoy a delicious cup of tea. So, how should white tea be brewed to bring out its best? How to Brew White Tea for Optimal Flavor? Techniques for Brewing White Tea! 1. Brewing Silver Needle: When brewing Silver Needle white tea, there are two key points to consider: First, the tea buds are long and delicate, so the water temperature should not be too high, around 90 degrees Celsius is ideal; second, this premium white tea is covered in fine white down, so when pouring hot water, avoid direct contact with the tea buds. Instead, pour the water along the side of the cup (or pot). This approach has two benefits: it protects the appearance of the tea buds and prevents the tea from becoming cloudy due to the release of too much down, which could affect the clarity and beauty of the tea's color. Although the Silver Needle tea leaves are slender and delicate, they are also plump and fleshy, allowing for a…

When I shout with all my might, It echoes throughout the mountains, And it is you who awakens, In the world of grasses and trees. —From "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" As spring deepens, tea regions are bustling with activity. The release of "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" during the tea season seems to have received mixed reviews. However, for tea enthusiasts, there are many commendable aspects. This film, set against the backdrop of Hangzhou's Longjing tea landscape, is filled with tea elements in its plot and details. Tea lovers would have noticed this. Moreover, the names of characters, scenes, and the storyline are all poetic. Behind the poetic tea ambiance lies a harsh and cruel social reality—the terrifying pyramid scheme scams and countless family tragedies! Every Tea Element is an "Inside Joke" It cannot be denied that director Gu Xiaogang understands tea, or at least has done his homework thoroughly. Each tea element in the film is an "inside joke." 01 Grasses and Trees Amongst Us: The character for "tea" split apart means "person among grasses and trees" The title "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" itself refers to tea. "Tea is a fine tree from the south." "The character…

In the world of white tea, there is a role often misunderstood—the Shoumei. It seems to be frequently regarded as a “low-end tea,” with its raw materials considered inexpensive. But is this really the case? Let's unveil the mystery of Shoumei together and explore the story behind it. Shoumei, a name that sounds like a venerable elder with long, refined eyebrows, gives off an impression of steadiness and warmth. Its appearance isn't particularly outstanding; one bud with three or four leaves, with obvious stalks and broad, round leaves. Compared to the plump buds of Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) and the one bud with one or two leaves of Baimudan (White Peony), it does indeed appear somewhat “unremarkable.” This is why Shoumei occupies a lower position in the “pecking order” of white teas and is viewed by some as the “lowest grade” of white tea. However, is Shoumei really a low-end white tea? In fact, once we delve deeper into Shoumei, we discover many lesser-known advantages. Firstly, the production volume of Shoumei is very large, accounting for more than half of the total production of white tea. This makes Shoumei the most common and accessible variety of white tea, allowing more…

White tea originated in Fujian province and, over the past few years, its consumer base has shifted from international markets to domestic ones. The quality of white tea can be assessed based on six aspects: appearance, dry tea aroma, lid aroma, liquor color, taste, and infused leaves. Today, we will introduce some key points to consider when purchasing white tea. How to Choose White Tea, Tips for Selecting Good White Tea 1. Buy Based on Quality, Not Category: Quality is paramount, with category serving as a secondary consideration. White tea is categorized into four types based on the parts picked and the time of picking: Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen), White Peony (Bai Mudan), Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei), and Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei). Silver Needle is often considered the most precious grade of white tea because it consists only of buds. These buds are covered with fine white hairs, giving them a silver color and a needle-like shape. White Peony comprises one bud and one or two leaves, with the leaves sandwiching the buds. Tribute Eyebrow and Long Life Eyebrow have fewer buds and more leaf content. In terms of the material used to make the tea, buds…

White tea has three sisters: Silver Needle, White Peony, and Long Life Eyebrow. A single bud with one, two, or three leaves is White Peony.Among the three, White Peony doesn’t seem to stand out. If we talk about beauty, Silver Needle may be more delicate, its buds are pleasing to the eye. In terms of aroma intensity, each sister has its own strengths. When it comes to value for money, Long Life Eyebrow is more practical and a preferred choice for regular tea drinkers.However, after chatting with many people, I found that many have a special fondness for White Peony. Why the partiality for White Peony?01 Appearance, Beauty Like a FlowerThe buds are slender and plump, covered densely with white down on both the buds and the backs of the leaves, as if draped in a thick white fleece. It has short tender stems that are not prominent. Its shape resembles flowers, earning it the name "Flower Fairy" for its beauty comparable to Xishi and Diaochan.The underside of the leaves reveals the downy buds, green on top and white underneath, which the locals call "Green Sky White Ground." There are differences in color between the leaf surface and veins, presenting…

Boiling tea can be seen as an advanced method compared to steeping. Typically, boiling is used when the full depth of flavor cannot be extracted by steeping alone, as boiling makes the tea more aromatic and robust. Generally, older teas are better suited for boiling because they are more resilient and have a richer and varied internal quality. Examples include aged white tea, aged Pu'er tea, and aged Tieguanyin oolong. Tea can be boiled directly or after initial steeping. Lighter teas like white tea are suitable for direct boiling in a pot, while stronger teas such as dark teas benefit from being steeped in a covered bowl for four to five rounds before boiling, preventing the resulting brew from being overly strong. What Kinds of Tea Can Be Boiled? Which Teas Are Best for Boiling? 1. Young White Tea Should Be Steeped; Aged White Tea Is Better Suited for BoilingWhite tea is a minimally processed tea that is sun-dried or gently oven-dried, giving it a distinctive silver color and "green with white" appearance. Its aroma is gentle, and its liquor is light. White tea is typically categorized into Silver Needle (pure buds), White Peony (one bud and one or two…

Tea is the national drink, and with the improvement of living standards, more and more people are developing a liking for it. If you enjoy drinking tea, it's inevitable that you'll end up storing some at home—whether for your own consumption or for when guests visit. However, how to store tea is a headache for many tea enthusiasts, as improper storage can easily cause the tea to spoil, affecting its taste and potentially turning it into a "toxic" tea that may be harmful to health. So, what should you do if you have too much tea at home? How to Store Too Much Tea at Home Firstly, we need to categorize the tea stored at home. If there is a large quantity and variety of teas, it's best to sort them by type for better preservation. The storage method varies depending on the fermentation process used in the tea. For lightly roasted or aromatic types of tea, proper sealing is crucial. Choose containers like aluminum packaging or vacuum cans that provide good seals. Additionally, aromatic teas should ideally be stored separately to avoid their scents mixing and compromising the purity of the original aroma. Lightly roasted teas typically include Oolong…

White tea, often referred to as "one-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure." It embodies the principle of moderation in taste, featuring the floral fragrance of oolong tea, the sweet richness of black tea, the fresh aroma of green tea, and the medicinal scent and jujube fragrance of aged white tea. How should you brew it? Here are four methods for brewing white tea. To brew white tea well, first master these three key factors: the grade, age, and form of the tea. For new loose leaf white tea and Silver Needle, start at 85°C; adjust the water temperature by 3-5 degrees based on the coarseness of the leaves. When brewing new tea or tea buds, avoid pouring the water directly onto the leaves; instead, pour along the sides of the cup. For aged teas, compressed cakes, and bricks, boiling water can be used for brewing or cooking the tea. The Brewing Methods for White Tea: 1. Gaiwan Brewing Method for White Tea Suitable for: Silver Needle, White Peony, and new white tea. Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1:30. Water Temperature: 85-90°C. Steps: Warm the cups and utensils, add the tea, pour hot water along the edges of the gaiwan, after 10 seconds, quickly…

Methods for brewing new white tea include: brewing with a white porcelain lidded bowl, brewing with a glass cup. For aged and old teas, there are more options available; in addition to the white porcelain lidded bowl and glass cup, you can also use a method of cooking the tea. Brewing Methods for White Tea: 1. Cold Brew Method for White Tea Suitable for: Silver Needle, White Peony. Water: Cold boiled water or mineral water Amount of tea: 1-3g, less than when brewing hot Steps: Place the white tea in mineral water and let it steep for 1-2 hours. Advantages: Clear and sweet taste, lighter than when served hot, but more natural than bottled tea drinks. Disadvantages: Difficult to bring out the true flavor of white tea, requires a longer time. 2. Lidded Bowl Brewing Method for White Tea Suitable for: Silver Needle, White Peony, new white tea Tea-to-water ratio: 1:30 Water temperature: 85-90°C Steps: Warm the cup and clean the utensils, add the tea, pour water along the edge of the lidded bowl, after 10 seconds, quickly pour out the infusion, increase by 5 seconds for each subsequent infusion, generally brewable about ten times. Advantages: The most common brewing…

Why has Fuding white tea become so popular in recent years? Some say that the ultimate appeal of white tea is its "vitality"; it awakens your entire being when you drink it. It doesn't just pass through your mouth but permeates your whole body, awakening your soul. So, when drinking white tea, it's not just about tasting its flavor but also savoring its aroma. And how do you properly appreciate the aroma of white tea? The correct method is crucial! I. Understanding the Aroma In general, white tea has a rich and fragrant aroma. However, if processed properly or stored well, it can also exhibit a pure and intense scent. High-grade white teas like Silver Needle and premium White Peony have a characteristic downy aroma, which is a critical factor in aroma evaluation, and should be prominent. Due to their early picking and tenderness, they also have a noticeable fresh fragrance. 1. The "Aroma" of Silver Needle A well-aged, cleanly stored, and high-quality Silver Needle has a refined style with a lingering aftertaste. Its aroma is delicate yet varied and enduring, with a clean and sweet taste that lingers in the mouth, creating a lasting salivation effect with a pleasant…

White tea, a unique and precious type of tea, is beloved for its delicate taste and rich nutritional value. Originating from China, it carries a long history and cultural heritage. Let's embark on a journey to appreciate white tea and savor its charm and flavors. The history of white tea can be traced back hundreds of years, with a long-standing tradition in regions such as Fujian and Yunnan in China. Initially, white tea was presented as a tribute to royalty due to its rarity and unique quality. Over time, it gradually became part of everyday life, becoming a popular beverage. The production process of white tea is relatively simple yet requires meticulous skill and patience. After picking, the leaves are sun-dried and withered, preserving the natural aroma and nutritional components of the tea. Compared to other teas, the processing of white tea is more natural, without undergoing the steps of fixation or rolling, which allows it to retain higher levels of polyphenols and amino acids. When tasting white tea, one can experience its distinctive flavor and aroma. The infusion has a light yellow color, clear and bright, giving a refreshing feeling. In terms of taste, white tea is characterized by…

"White Peony tea," a precious variety, is produced in Zhenghe, known as the "Hometown of Chinese White Tea." White Peony tea is picked at the stage of one bud and two leaves, requiring that the buds and leaves are covered with white down, referred to as "three whites." The shape of the tea is two leaves embracing a bud, with a natural leaf posture and white down covering the back of the leaves. After brewing, the liquor turns apricot yellow or orange-yellow, clear and bright, with a fresh and lasting downy fragrance. The veins are slightly red, scattered among the green leaves, earning it the praise of "red dress on a white body." The preparation method for drinking White Peony tea is similar to that of green tea but, due to the lack of kneading, the tea juice does not easily seep out, so the brewing time is slightly longer than for green tea. "White like clouds, green like dreams, clean like snow, fragrant like orchids," this tea, which is cold and cool in nature, has the effects of heat-clearing and summer-heat dispelling, making it an excellent drink for refreshing the heart and purifying the spirit in summer. It is…

As is widely known, Fuding white tea enjoys the reputation of being "a one-year tea, a three-year treasure, and a seven-year gem." Besides enjoying its freshness, it's also delightful to anticipate the remarkable changes that occur as the tea ages over time. Drinking fresh white tea allows you to savor its vibrant and refreshing qualities, capturing it at its most tender stage. After 3, 5, 7, 10, or even 20 years of transformation, the appearance, aroma, taste, and color of the tea undergo significant changes. It sheds its youthful characteristics and develops a rich, full-bodied flavor with a lingering aftertaste. At this point, the white tea bears the marks of time and presents a unique character distinct from its fresh state, with a myriad of evolving flavors and pleasant surprises. I. What is the "Transformation" of White Tea? The transformation of white tea refers to the ongoing post-fermentation that occurs during storage, primarily driven by microorganisms. Under suitable conditions, this process continues indefinitely without stopping. II. Why Can White Tea Transform? The transformation of any tea involves three key factors: oxidation, the participation of beneficial microorganisms, and the internal substances within the tea leaves. The simple processing method of white…