Aged Shou Mei | white tea balls
TASTING NOTES: honeydew melon, peach, hay, thyme
Aged Shou Mei white tea with a smooth, naturally sweet, and fruity flavor profile. Compressed into a convenient single-serve tea ball, it’s perfect for Gongfu brewing. Each tea ball provides up to fifteen flavorful infusions, allowing you to enjoy its rich, evolving taste through multiple steeps. Simple to use and ideal for savoring over time.
Tea character
Leaf
sun-dried figs, honeyed dates, baked pears
Cup
stewed apricot, aged wood, cinnamon
Flavor
honeydew melon, peach, hay, thyme
Tea story
Aged Shou Mei originates from the rich tea-growing regions of China, where white tea has been cultivated for centuries. Traditionally produced in the Fujian province, Shou Mei is a lesser-known but highly respected variety of white tea, made from leaves plucked later in the season. Unlike the more delicate Bai Mudan or Silver Needle, Shou Mei leaves are thicker and more robust, offering a deeper flavor profile. Over time, Shou Mei has gained popularity for its mellow, slightly fruity sweetness and its potential for aging.
The tea is harvested in the early spring, and after being handpicked, the leaves undergo a natural drying process. Once dried, they are carefully compressed into convenient tea balls, each containing a blend of mature leaves and buds. The tea balls are then aged under controlled conditions, allowing the tea to mellow and develop a complex, smooth flavor over time.
The practice of aging white tea is an art form in itself. The tea balls are stored in cool, dry spaces where they can slowly mature, with the natural sugars in the leaves gradually transforming into a sweet, rounded taste that only improves with each brew. The final product is a tea that rewards patience, perfect for Gongfu brewing, allowing the drinker to explore its evolving profile over multiple infusions. This tea is ideal for those who appreciate the depth of flavor that comes with aging, offering a soothing and contemplative experience.
Tea Region | Fujian Province, China
Tea tree | Camellia sinensis sinensis
Cultivar | Shou Mei
Harvest | Late spring, 2022
Picking & processing | Older leaves and buds
Caramelized Onion Tart
The sweet, savory flavors of caramelized onions baked into a flaky tart shell create a beautiful contrast with Aged Shou Mei’s smooth, subtly sweet character, highlighting its natural depth and complexity.
Grilled Eggplant
The umami-rich miso glaze and smoky, tender eggplant complement the tea's earthy profile, with the sweetness of the miso bringing out the tea’s floral undertones.
Poached Pears in Honey and Lavender
The fragrant, floral sweetness of poached pears, enhanced by honey and lavender, mirrors Aged Shou Mei’s delicate fruitiness and smooth, rounded flavor. The honey accentuates the tea's natural sweetness while the lavender highlights its subtle floral notes.
Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Thyme
The savory, herb-infused flavors of roasted chicken with a touch of citrus pair beautifully with Aged Shou Mei’s light, crisp taste, balancing the tea’s natural sweetness with the richness of the chicken.
