White Peony | Bai Mu Dan white tea
Tasting notes: sugared lemon pulp, cherry jam, almond milk
Authentic white tea from Fujian, meticulously plucked following the official 'one bud -two leaves' standard. Exceptionally smooth and soft texture, with a delicate floral aroma of roses and magnolia. The refreshing, long-lasting aftertaste carries hints of citrus, fresh olives, and cucumber.
Tea Region
Tea tree
Cultivar
Harvest
Picking & processing
Fuding, Fujian, China
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Fuding Da Bai
Spring, 2024
One and young leaves
In the misty hills of Fuding, where ancient tea traditions have flourished for centuries, a sweet and rich White Peony is born. Crafted from the Da Bai cultivar, this tea is harvested from 50-year-old bushes, a testament to the enduring legacy of the region. Sun-dried and made with a careful blend of tender buds and young leaves, it offers a taste that is as timeless as the mountains it comes from.
White Peony, known as Bai Mu Dan, is often classed as the second-highest grade of white tea, just below Silver Needle. But to compare them as if one were superior to the other misses the point. Each tea has its own unique character—Silver Needle is elegant and delicate, while White Peony is rich and warm, offering a comforting embrace. Both deserve to be celebrated, each in its own right.
This White Peony is a blend of Silver Needle buds and larger leaves, withered and dried to allow for a touch of natural oxidation. This process darkens the leaves, making them brittle, and infusing the tea with a depth of flavor that is both robust and soothing.
For those who cherish the passage of time, this tea is also suitable for aging, much like Pu-erh. Store it loose, in airtight conditions with humidity levels over 50%—preferably around 62%—and let the years work their magic. As the tea ages, it will continue to evolve, offering new layers of flavor and experience with each passing season.
Almond biscotti
The nutty, crisp texture of almond or hazelnut biscotti pairs beautifully with the tea’s own hazelnut nougat notes, creating a harmonious balance between the tea's sweetness and the biscotti's crunch.
Cherry clafoutis
This classic French dessert, with its juicy cherries and custard-like base, mirrors the cherry jam flavors in the tea. The light, airy texture of clafoutis complements the tea's soft, syrupy mouthfeel.
Brie or Camembert cheese
Soft, creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert add a layer of richness that pairs well with the tea’s floral and nutty profile.
Lightly grilled apricots or peaches
Grilled stone fruits like apricots or peaches, with their caramelized edges, enhance the fruity and floral aspects of the tea. The slight tartness of the fruit complements the tea’s sweetness, creating a balanced flavor experience.
Tea character
Leaf
nougat, apricots, sundried-hay
Cup
blueberry muffin, aloe, sorrel
Flavor
sugared lemon pulp, cherry jam, almond milk
How to brew
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
90 °C
4 gram
100ml
25 sec (add 5 sec per steep for at least 5 steeps)
Temperature
Tea weight
Water amount
Steeping time
90 °C
4 gram
500ml
2 min (you can resteep 2-3 times)
What teaware to use
The tea farm
The Fuding tea region, nestled in the northeastern part of Fujian Province, China, is renowned for its production of exquisite white teas, particularly the famous Bai Mu Dan and Silver Needle varieties. This mountainous area, with its misty peaks, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil, provides the perfect environment.
