White , once a rarity, are now more available than ever. High How do you determine what makes a truly fine white , especially prices paid for a handful of select white teas has prompted other coun- with the quality of some white teas now being sold? This guide will tries, including , , Northern , , and Sri help equip you with knowledge to make your choice of which to buy. Lanka, to jump into the market. And don’t miss the pictorial guide at the end comparing various teas. Step 1: Identify what is really a What qualifies as white tea, generally speaking? The dry leaves and the  Harvested once per year in Spring when the weather is cool and dry. infused liquid aren’t always white. So, here are some guidelines:  Hand-plucked per to this standard: - buds are immature and unopened (some plants are shaded a few  Leaves come from tea plant cultivars like: weeks before plucking to reduce chlorophyll, similar to how some - (Narcissus, a cultivar known for the excellent teas in Japan are produced) made from it) from Province in - buds retain fine white hairs - Da Bai (Big White, considered finest) from Fuding County in that - plucked in early morning after dew has dried province  Plucked per one of these styles (most common): - one bud - one bud and a leaf - one bud with 2-3 leaves on the stem  Processed per strict guidelines originally established in Fujian Prov- ince, China: - either sun-withering or no withering - no oxidation or rolling - air-drying and some resultant withering (possibly some oxidation)  Silvery hairs are usually intact and so are the leaves, since they are not rolled or handled roughly in any way.  Flavors: - not harsh or bitter - rather mild, sweet, nutty, or similar characters depending on which grade and quality of white tea you are having

See the pictorial guide starting on page 4 comparing various white teas. Step 2: Determine which are the fine white teas More details:  The higher the ratio of buds to leaves in the dry tea, the higher the quality is generally speaking. White tea grades 2, 3, and 4 have few buds and lots of leaves.  Top-grade white tea is never picked on rainy days, before morning dew has dried, or when frost is on the ground.  Harvested once per year in Spring in cool and dry weather condi- tions to assure the best quality. A wet or too warm Springtime will mean poorer quality tea.  In the cup, top grades will usually be a pale yellow (you should be able to see some of the little hairs floating in the cup).  Blending is done with widely popular teas (Darjeeling teas blends containing as little as 20% true used to be common) It’s important to identify the premium fine white teas. More tea ven- and downgrades the teas’ reputation since lower-grade teas are used. dors cash in on the growing interest in this type of tea, so quality  Buds should be plump, well-formed (not too long or thin), consistent doesn’t seem to keep pace. in size and shape, have intact silvery hairs, and not be ground into small pieces. Buds will not show any purple color or damage, nor Place of origin is not necessarily the key. Some white teas such as Sil- have begun to open or be hollow. ver Needle have become so popular that tea gardens from several  The best White Peony has two intact grayish green leaves and one countries besides China are presenting theirs on the market. In addi- bud covered with silvery hairs; all are attached firmly to the stem, tion, there are about four white tea grades, and different levels of qual- are uniform, and mostly unbroken, yielding a clear liquid that has a ity within each. delicate fragrance and a fresh, mildly sweet flavor with no grassiness or astringency. White tea grades:  Lower-grade White Peony has a light amber color similar to some oolongs and a sweet flavor that is also good for . It is often Grade – Tea Name, Description preferred as a complement to many foods, its stronger flavors and 1st – Silver Needle (), buds only fragrances easily detected. 2nd – White Peony (Baimudan, Paimutan), one bud and a leaf 3rd – Tribute Eyebrow (Gong mei), one bud with 2-3 leaves on stem 4th – Longevity Eyebrow (Shou mei), one bud with 2-3 leaves on stem

What to look for in highest quality white tea grades:  Produced per established standards.  Not blended with other styles of tea.

 Good whole buds, high ratio of buds to leaves, depending on grade.  Mostly whole leaves (for grades 2, 3, & 4). See the pictorial guide starting on page 4 comparing various white teas. Step 3: How to handle those fine white teas Preserving your fine white teas For best results, store these teas in a cool, dry place in an airtight con- tainer. You could even store them in a refrigerator; it actually improves the taste of the teas as long as you don’t take them out and put them back in the refrigerator frequently, which could degrade the tea.

Proper of fine white teas:  Generally white teas are extremely light weight so you have to be sure to add enough leaf to the cup, , or pot.  White teas are generally infused in cooler temperatures (ranging from 170-185° F), varying with each tea.  The time is usually longer to allow buds to open fully: - 4-5 minutes 1st infusion - 5-7 minutes 2nd infusion - 6-8 minutes 3rd infusion

For top-quality teas like Yinzhen Silver Needles, use more leaves and infuse multiple times for short durations.

See the pictorial guide starting on page 4 TIP: Enjoy the light flavor by itself, not with food. White tea a great al- comparing various white teas. ternative to for those who want health benefits without the grassy flavor or stomach upset that some experience.

About Us JAS-eTea.com is your friendly online tea store. We share our love of Our Goals teas with you and appreciate your business, wishing you all good 1. Provide the best service available. Service is paramount in any health. We offer: business endeavor. If you have a concern, please let us know. 2. Be your tea source of first resort. When you think of tea, we  over 300 premium teas from China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, more want you to think of JAS-eTea.com!  quality and books 3. Keep improving our selection of products. If we don't have the  loose leaf & sachet flavored teas tea you are looking for, let us know. We will do our best to get it.  herbal teas and decaffeinated teas  chais (spiced tea in the style from India)

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To promote the knowledge and awareness of fine teas and meet your www.JAS-eTea.com | [email protected] expectations of what an exceptional tea vendor should be. Purveyors of Fine Teas Pictorial Guide to Different White Tea Grades & Qualities

Grade 1: Silver Needle (Baihoa Yinzhen)

Top Quality Middle Quality Low Quality

Grade 2: White Peony (Bai Mu Dan, Pai Mu Tan)

Top Quality Middle Quality Low Quality or Blend

Grade 3: Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei)

Top Quality Middle Quality Low Quality or Blend

Photo from an online picture source. The Photo from an online picture source. Leaf colors in the photo could be due to poor pieces are chopped up. This is possibly for lighting or photography techniques. The bagging the tea or to use up tea leaves har- key is the many darker leaves that look par- vested but sorted out of the batch of buds tially oxidized. Also, the leaves do not ap- and leaves that were used for the higher pear to have that fine silvery hair on them. quality versions.

www.JAS-eTea.com | [email protected] Purveyors of Fine Teas Grade 4: Longevity Eyebrow (Shou Mei or Sow Mee)

Top Quality Middle Quality Low Quality or Blend

This is harvested off of “wild” tea bushes, that is, ones that are not cultivated on a regular basis. Because of the lack of control over growing conditions, the tea quality is Lots of breakage and dark-colored leaves. more variable and the quantities low. Little evidence of those prized silvery hairs.

Labeled as “good quality.” Darker that the high quality tea at left. Almost all leaves, lots of breakage.

Some Additional White Teas to Look For

Jinggu White Moonlight Old Tree Jasmine Scented Silver Needle Snow Buds

Some Examples of Very Poor Quality White Teas to Avoid

Ground Up White Tea (Blend?) Ground Up White Peony Low Quality Silver Needle This one is a puzzle, looking like a blend of This tea actually comes in muslin teabags. white tea leftovers with other types of tea. While the tea is a good color in the cup, the The orange color in the cup betrays its low flavor was not the pleasant one expected quality. The flavor is suitable for enjoying but more like a green tea, with harsh with foods but not for fine tea enjoyment. grassy notes and astringency.

The low quality Silver Needle at right has poor sorting of the buds. Sizes vary quite a www.JAS-eTea.com | [email protected] bit, and some are even open. A few appear Purveyors of Fine Teas to be oxidized, and after infusing, several Note: My thanks to A.C. Cargill and others looked very green. There is also quite a bit for the use of some of these photos. of breakage, showing rough handling.