Shou Mei comes from the same bushes as the finer Fujian whites but from later pickings and bigger leaf, which is why it is darker, cheaper and considerably more robust. The cup pours deep gold with hay, dried date and a hint of the earthiness that grows as it ages. It is the white tea that behaves most like a black one, forgiving of hot water and long steeps. Press-aged Shou Mei is a category of its own, and even loose it improves over a few years if you keep it dry and out of the light.
Only unopened buds, each one covered in silver down. Exceptionally delicate, with melon and honey. The most prestigious white tea China makes.
One bud to two leaves, which gives it more body than Silver Needle. Clean and subtly sweet, with a little more depth. The sensible everyday white tea.
More bud than Shou Mei, less than White Peony. That lands it somewhere soft and honeyed. It ages well if you keep it dry.
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