Fuding, Zhenghe — Fujian Province
The second grade of Fujian white tea (after Silver Needle), made from one bud and two young leaves. The leaves show a two-tone appearance: white-silver buds against green-grey leaves. Flavour is more complex than Silver Needle with a honeyed sweetness, melon freshness, and subtle floral notes. White tea's extreme minimal processing (no firing, only natural withering) gives it the highest antioxidant profile of any tea.
Honeyed sweet, melon, hay, white peach — the least manipulated of teas; delicate but present; the flavour is of the leaf itself without any processing transformation
{"Processing: hand-picked, spread on bamboo trays, withered in natural air for 36–72 hours — no firing, no rolling","Bai Mu Dan (White Peony): bud + 2 leaves vs Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needle): buds only","Brew 75–85°C, 3–5 minutes — lower temperature emphasises sweetness; higher temperature adds depth","White tea aged in compressed cakes develops complexity over years — similar aging philosophy to pu-erh"}
{"Fuding, Fujian is the primary Bai Mu Dan production area — 'Fuding White Tea' has geographical indication status","Cold-brew white tea (ice water, 12 hours in refrigerator) makes an extraordinarily clean, sweet infusion","Aged white tea (5+ years) develops a rich, caramel-jujube depth that approaches aged oolong complexity"}
{"Under-steeping — white tea looks weak but is not fully extracted under 3 minutes","Confusing white tea with green tea — completely different processing and flavour despite pale colour","Not aging: white tea cakes from quality sources age beautifully over 5–20 years"}
Chinese tea tradition; Fuding white tea sources