Size and shape may vary. Weight approximately between: 14 - 20 g or 0.5 - 0.7 oz
In a country where tea drinking dates to 2737 BC, making tea news isn't an easy accomplishment. Essentially, everything's been done before. Every leaf style, production method and scenting technique has been experimented with and perfected 1000 times over by artisans from Anhui to Zhejiang. Still, developments are possible but to make Chinese tasters and tea-traders stand up and take notice of them, the tea had better be spectacular.
While pu-erh teas and white teas are by themselves quite ancient, white pu-erh is not. In fact, this notable new arrival to the tea party was first manufactured around 2001. Initially, China's tea connoisseurs viewed its creation with skepticism and trepidation - until they tasted it. Once the playfully delicate infusion of the finely fermented silver buds began to tempt China's tea drinking populace, skepticism vanished and the tea began to fly from shelves. In fact, during the past half dozen years or so, collecting white pu-erh has become a popular pastime with the country's newly emerging middle class. Today, as white pu-erh, such as this Xantou Mandarin White Pu-erh, steadily makes it way westward, it is finding converts everywhere it turns up. Interestingly, white pu-ehrs have become highly sought after by German and Belgian collectors.
White pu-erh’s comparatively short lifespan means the qualities one would look for in an aged black or green pu-erh (musty character, assertive earthy tones), will generally not be found to the same degree in a white. Instead, white pu-erhs typically greet the pallet with warm notes of vanilla, early spring grass and the subtle character of a lightly roasted mountain oolong.
Traditional Chinese brewing method:
Break off enough tea for one cup, (About a TABLESPOON)
- 1st brew 30 sec.
- 2nd brew 40 sec.
- 3rd brew 40 sec.
- 4th brew 60 sec.
- 5th brew 90 sec.
- 6th brew 120 sec.
With each subsequent brewing, note how the character of this wonderful white pu-erh subtly shifts in terms of strength and flavor.