How to Brew White Tea --Unlock the Delicate Flavors of China's Rarest Tea

✅ Water Temperature Matters:

• New white tea (Baihao Yinzhen/Baimudan): 90°C (194°F)
• Aged white tea (3+ years) & Shou Mei: 95°C (203°F) or higher
  ✅ Tea-to-Water Ratio:
• Gaiwan/Teapot: 5g tea per 150ml
• Glass Cup (new Silver Needle): 3g tea
  ✅ Brewing Vessels:
• Gaiwan or teapot for most teas
• Glass cup for visual appreciation of Baihao Yinzhen
  ✅ Aged Tea Tip: White tea over 3 years can be boiled for intense flavor
  ✅ Golden Rule: "New tea for freshness, aged tea for richness."

The Art of Brewing Chinese White Tea
White tea, the least processed of all teas, captures the essence of Fujian's misty mountains. Its delicate flavors demand precise brewing – here’s how to master it.

1. Water Temperature: The Critical Factor

• New Harvest Tea (Current Year):
• Tender buds like Baihao Yinzhen (Silver Needle) or Baimudan (White Peony) require gentle 90°C (194°F) water. Boiling water scalds leaves, destroying their fresh, floral notes.
• Shou Mei (Longevity Eyebrow): Use hotter water (>95°C/203°F) to extract its bolder character.
• Aged White Tea (3+ Years):
• Transformative aging develops deeper notes. Use >95°C (203°F) water or boil to unlock honeyed, woody complexities.

2. Brewing Methods & Tea Amounts

Pro Tip: For gongfu-style brewing (multiple short infusions), use 5g in a 100ml gaiwan. Start with 10-second steeps, increasing by 5 seconds each round.

3. Why Aging Changes Everything
New white tea dazzles with notes of melon, fresh grass, and honeysuckle. After 3+ years, oxidation creates rich layers of dried fruit, wild honey, and antique wood. High heat is essential to release these treasures.

4. Expert Techniques

• Rinse (Optional): For aged tea, a 3 to 5-second rinse with boiling water awakens the leaves.
• Boiling Method: Simmer 5g of aged tea in 300ml water for 3-5 minutes. Ideal for cold days.
• Glass Cup Brewing: Watch Baihao Yinzhen buds dance upright – a meditative experience.

Final Tip: Use soft spring water! Minerals in hard water mask white tea’s subtle sweetness.