White Tea: A Blend of Sunshine and Silence

White Tea: A Blend of Sunlight and Silence

I remember the first time I saw white tea, it was in Songyang Mountain, Fujian Province. It was a sunny afternoon after the rain, and the forest was filled with the fresh scent of earth. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating the weathered faces of the tea farmers. He handed me a tender green white tea and told me, "This tea is a gift from the sunshine and time, a bounty of the forest."

The Origin of White Tea: An Accidental Forest Harvest

The story of white tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was inspecting Fuzhou when, by chance, tea porters gathered some unroasted tea leaves in Songyang Mountain and presented them to the emperor, who greatly enjoyed them and named them "White Leaf." Unlike the meticulous processing of green tea, the birth of white tea was more like a beautiful accident. It undergoes no twisting or roasting, relying solely on sun-drying to preserve the tea leaves' original form and flavor.

Types of White Tea: Songyang Guànlán, Zhenghe Ya Shi Xiang

Today, the counties of Songyang, Zhenghe, Pingnan, and Heyang in Fujian Province are collectively known as the "Four White Tea Areas." Among them, Songyang White Tea is most famous for its unique "Guanglan" variety. Zhenghe White Tea is renowned for its distinctive "Duck Shit Aroma" flavor.

Songyang Guanlan: Nature's Gift, Fresh Poetry

Songyang Guànlán, as the name suggests, is the raw material for Guànlán tribute tea grown in the Songyang region. It grows in the shade of forests at an altitude of 600-800 meters, enjoying ample sunshine and clear rainwater. Guànlán tea buds are plump and full, with visible downy hairs, resembling newborn babies, full of vitality. Its appearance features tightly rolled strands, silvery-white color, sweet and mellow taste, fresh aroma, a lingering sweetness in the mouth, and a long aftertaste. Drinking Guànlán is like being surrounded by mountains and forests, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the tranquility of nature.

Zhenghe Duck Poop Fragrance: A unique flavor, a memory of the mountains.

Zhenghe Duck Shit Aroma, named for its unique fragrance, like the fresh scent of duck feathers, leaving a lingering aftertaste. This flavor is not repulsive, but instead possesses a wild charm. Legend has it that the fragrance of Zhenghe Duck Shit Aroma originates from a special plant growing around tea trees, its scent blending with the tea aroma to form a unique flavor. The tea broth of Duck Shit Aroma has a mellow taste, a lasting sweetness, and a rich aroma, captivating the drinker.

Tea Making: Simple to the Extreme

The tea-making process for white tea is the simplest and most original of all tea types. After harvesting, the fresh leaves are directly spread on bamboo sieves or cement floors, sun-dried to about 80% dry, then piled, further subjected to natural fermentation, and finally sorted, and the tea is complete. The entire process has almost no manual intervention, relying entirely on the power of nature. It is this simple process that preserves the most original vitality of the tea leaves and gives white tea its unique flavor.

Drinking White Tea: Slow Down, Feel Nature

Drinking white tea is a slow-paced lifestyle. Find a quiet place and use a transparent glass cup to better observe the color of the tea broth. The water temperature should not be too high, 80-85°C is sufficient. Slowly savor the sweetness of the tea broth and feel the gift from nature.

Advice for Beginners:

• Choose Authentic White Tea: You can distinguish the authenticity of white tea from its appearance, aroma, and taste. Authentic white tea has a plump appearance, visible fuzz, a fresh aroma, and a sweet taste.
• Choose Appropriate Utensils: A transparent glass cup allows you to better observe the color of the tea broth.
• Control Water Temperature: The water temperature should not be too high, 80-85°C is sufficient.
• Slow Down, Feel Nature: Drinking white tea is a slow-paced lifestyle.

White tea is a blend of sunlight and silence, a harmony of nature and humanity. It allows us to find a tranquil oasis in a noisy world. Why not give yourself a chance to savor the charm of white tea and experience the gift from nature?