“White Tea in the World, Chinese White Tea in Fuding” – White Tea and Fuding White Tea
Author:
Release date:
2013-03-12
White tea is one of the traditional six major tea categories. Known as "white tea" due to its unique production method—where the leaves are neither pan-fired nor rolled—the tea retains abundant white down on its surface, giving it a distinctly white appearance. White tea is celebrated for its delicate, refreshing qualities: its leaves remain intact with visible buds and tips, its liquor boasts a clear, apricot-yellow hue, and it offers a light, subtly sweet, and invigorating taste. Primarily produced in regions such as Fuding, Zhenghe, Songxi, and Jianyang in Fujian Province, white tea is a specialty tea unique to Fujian.
The "China Tea Encyclopedia" defines white tea as "one of the basic tea categories: a lightly fermented tea characterized by its surface covered entirely with white downy hairs. … Modern white tea production typically involves just two processes—withering and drying. Because the leaves are not rolled or twisted during processing, they retain their original shape when brewed, unfurling gracefully to reveal intact buds and leaves. The resulting infusion boasts a mellow, harmonious flavor but tends to produce a lighter-colored liquor. White tea is further divided into two main types: 'White Bud Tea' and 'White Leaf Tea.' Famous varieties include Silver Needle White Hair, White Peony, and Gong Mei." However, some finished teas labeled as "white tea" aren’t actually true white tea. For instance, Anji White Tea, despite its name, is processed using green tea techniques and thus belongs to the green tea category rather than white tea. It’s important to note that white tea falls under the category of lightly fermented teas, distinguishing it from fully fermented black tea, unfermented green tea, semi-fermented oolong tea, and post-fermented teas like dark and yellow teas.
Professor Chen Chuan points out in "A Comprehensive History of the Tea Industry": "White tea originally referred to 'Bai Hao Yin Zhen,' commonly known simply as 'Yin Zhen' or 'Bai Hao,' and was historically called 'Ya Cha' (bud tea). Over time, it evolved to include varieties like Bai Mu Dan, Gong Mei, and Shou Mei. Yin Zhen is crafted from the plump, tender buds of the Da Bai tea plant, shaped like needles and boasting a silvery-white appearance—hence the name 'Yin Zhen.' Whether the ancient term 'Ya Cha' referred specifically to Yin Zhen remains to be verified."
For a long time, white tea has primarily been exported to countries and regions such as Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, France, Macau, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, and others—leaving very little available for domestic consumption. As a result, many people are unaware that China even produces white tea, let alone that there is relatively little discussion or documentation about it within the country itself.
Related News
2023/08/26
2023/08/16
2023/08/06
Contact Us
Address: Mayang Village, Diandou Town, Fuding City, Fujian Province
Scan to follow our WeChat official account
Scan to access the mobile version
Copyright © Fuding Dongnan Duoqi Tea Industry Co., Ltd. SEO Cityproducts Privacy Policy
Powered by www.300.cn