Types of White Tea
There are four main varieties of white tea: Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow.
Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen)
The finest white tea, made only of silvery white buds. Beautiful to behold and delightful to drink. It is the most famous white tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavor. Our personal favorite.
White Peony (Bai Mudan)
Next highest in quality, White Peony consists of buds and leaves. The best White Peony has both bud and leaf covered in silvery white hair. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker color than Silver Needle.
Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei)
A lower rank white tea, Long Life Eyebrow is made from leaves left over after the Silver Needle and White Peony harvest.
Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei)
Another lesser white tea, Tribute Eyebrow is made from a special tea bush and is processed in a slightly different way than other white teas.
Other Varieties
There are a number of other white tea varieties, some named after the region of origin, others for special ingredients added to the leaves and buds. Fruits are a popular addition and add extra sweetness to the flavor. Every variety has something to offer, and we encourage you to experiment and find your own favorites.