Chinese White Tea
Chinese white tea uses restrained processing to preserve the character of tender buds and leaves. Silver Needle is centered on down-covered buds, offering a light apricot-colored liquor, fresh bamboo notes and delicate sweetness. White Peony combines buds and young leaves for a fuller body, soft floral fragrance and a mellow, balanced cup. Both can be brewed gently in larger vessels or explored across repeated gongfu infusions. Choose Silver Needle for subtle bud-driven refinement and White Peony for a broader aroma and more noticeable body.
Craft
White tea is the least processed of all tea types.
After harvesting, the leaves undergo only
two steps: a long, slow withering, followed by low-temperature drying.
There is no pan-firing, no rolling. This minimal intervention allows the leaves to retain their natural form — the buds are covered in fine silvery down, giving white tea its name.
For compressed white peony (pressed cake),
the withered and dried leaves are gently steamed and pressed into cakes.
This compression naturally slows oxidation and allows the tea to age gracefully over time,
developing deeper, mellower flavors.
Harvest
Silver Needle
is the pinnacle of white tea. Harvested in early spring,
only the single, fat, down-covered buds are hand-picked — no leaves attached.
The picking window is brief,
and the standard is strict: buds must be
plump, intact, and unopened.
It takes thousands of individual buds to produce just a small handful of finished tea.
White Peony
is harvested slightly later, consisting of one bud and one or two tender leaves.
The buds are silvery white, the leaves grey-green,
resembling a flower in bloom — hence the name "Peony."
Our compressed white peony cakes are made from carefully selected loose leaves,
then gently pressed to preserve the integrity of the buds and leaves
while allowing the tea to age beautifully.
FAQs
What are the health benefits of white tea?
Minimal processing preserves white tea's abundant L-theanine and flavonoids. L-theanine promotes calm, focused alertness
without jitters. White tea is known for improving with age — "one year it is tea, three years it is medicine, seven years it is a treasure." Over time, its flavonoid content increases, and its nature softens from
cooling to warming. Aged white tea is treasured as a soothing, gentle drink for the throat and body.
Can I add milk, sugar, or brew white tea iced?
Silver Needle has a delicate, subtle flavor. We recommend drinking it pure to fully appreciate its silky texture and honeyed
aroma. White Peony and compressed White Peony also make excellent cold brew — simply steep in cold water and refrigerate for a few hours for a refreshing, naturally sweet summer drink. We do not recommend adding milk, as it masks the tea's natural fragrance. A touch of honey is welcome if desired.
What kind of teaware is best for brewing white tea?
We recommend a gaiwan or a glass teapot. A gaiwan faithfully captures white tea's layered aromas, while a glass teapot
allows you to admire Silver Needle buds standing upright like tiny silver spears. For aged white tea, a Yixing clay teapot's heat retention helps release deep, mellow aged notes. When brewing loose leaves, open
the lid after pouring to prevent the leaves from overcooking.
What should I keep in mind when drinking white tea?
White tea has relatively low caffeine, but it is still advisable to avoid large quantities on an empty stomach. New white tea is naturally cooling; those with sensitive stomachs may prefer aged white tea, which has mellowed to a warmer nature. White tea absorbs moisture and odors easily, so store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Compressed white tea can be cellared for years under proper storage, transforming gracefully with time.
