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 Flower
The 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 a “Green Leaf Red Vein” appearance, also referred to as “Red Dress White Wraps,” rich in color.
02 Aroma, Fragrant and Abundant
White Peony retains a strong downy aroma, described in textbooks as downy Honey fragrance, but beyond this, its floral aroma is also distinct. Compared to Silver Needle's clarity, it offers a richer experience, and compared to Long Life Eyebrow's simple leaf aroma, it is more complex.
When hot, the initial scent is the downy aroma, which quickly dissipates. The strong floral middle notes follow, fragrant yet elegant, like the garden of the Grand View, filled with unknown flowers emitting a light fragrance, intoxicating the senses. In the finish, there's an herbal aroma reminiscent of wisteria, light and subtle, like the lingering charm of Mount Taomu at sunset.
03 After Aging, Rich Experience
Without abundant internal substances, a tea does not have aging potential. How can it age without substance?
White Peony isn't as monotonous as Silver Needle, whose aging effects are less noticeable, nor does it become a singular medicinal aroma like Long Life Eyebrow after aging. After aging, White Peony still retains considerable richness. Fresh White Peony exhibits variable downy and floral aromas. After a few years of aging, its herbal aroma becomes rich and intense, developing into a strong medicinal aroma, unique to aged white teas.
Therefore, watching White Peony change over time can be a pleasure in itself.
04 Value for Money, More Moderate
Silver Needle is not necessarily the best value for money commercially, because it involves only picking or extracting buds, so even lower-quality products are often more expensive than White Peony.
White Peony offers a rich flavor profile without being too pricey. Although Long Life Eyebrow and Gong Mei are cheaper, they lack the downy aroma and the appealing appearance.
Of course, we must recognize that different white teas have their own characteristics, and everyone has different preferences and priorities. An attractive appearance might be worth ten points to me, but twenty points to you. There is no right or wrong here, just personal choice.