TH0202
Organic Special White Peony
(Baimudan, Bai Mu Dan) 
Organically grown

Origin: Wuyishan,  Fujian, China 武夷山‧福建‧中國
Style: Lightly oxidized, medium bodied, wild floral aroma, nutty flavour
Loose leaf style: Buds
Loose leaf color: Silver white
Wet leaf style: Silver Green
Tea color: Light Gold
Certification: USDA, BCS, JAS certified organic

White Peony or Baimudan is belong to White Tea family. The name came from the shape of the tea buds embraced by two tea leaves, like a peony blossom. The silver tea buds in White Peony Tea determines their grading: the more white buds, the higher grade. The highest grade is Superior Grade, follows by Special Grade, Grade 1, Grade 2, and some other lower grades.
There's a legend about White Peony. In Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), there was a filial man called Mao Yi, who left his public job and lived with his mother in countryside. One day they found a heavenly lotus pond, with 18 beautiful white peonies next to it. They decided to stay at the place for good. One winter day, Mao Yi's mother was seriously sick. He searched everywhere for herb medicine but was in vain. Later one night, he had a dream about an old man telling him that new tea leaf and carp would cure his mother. Mao Yi rushed to the frozen lotus pond and broke the ice fished a carp, but he couldn't find any new tea in mid winter. As he was sad and hopeless, the 18 white peonies at the pond side suddenly became 18 tea trees covered with silver new buds. Mou Yi immediately get the tea buds and leaves, dried and brew with the carp. His mother was cured after having the soup. Since than the tea produced in this area was called :White Peony Tea".
According to science research, white tea contains higher level of antioxidant properties than other teas, due to its production process. In Chinese herb and food science, white tea is "cold bodied",makes it the best tea for summer. It may help to reduce your inner heat. However, if your stomach is weak, usually feel upset when drinking ice drinks or eating cold foods, that is what called "cold stomach" in Chinese medicine (although more complicated), you'll want to go for oolong tea and black tea instead of white tea and green tea (i.e. more oxidized).


Brewing: White tea is better with lower temperature infusion around 70°C-75°C(158F-167F) for taste of its original flavour.
For White Peony, use about 1.5 tsp with 120c.c.(4oz) 70°C-75°C(158F-167F) hot water, steam about 2-3 minutes for the first brew, add 30-40 seconds for the following infusions. Provides about 3 infusions. During your first infusion, it is recommended to spend some time observing the tea buds dancing in the bottom of your teapot or cup. Once you get familiar with the tea, you may explore your own brewing method.

Teaware: Glassware is best for Silver Needle for observation. You can try it without using infuser, to observe the tea buds standing and dancing.