Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: thepuriTEA
Tea Description:
Also known as “Bai Mu Dan,” White Peony is an excellent everyday white tea with a full flavor that appeals to many black-tea drinkers. Each spring in Fujian, China, it is hand-plucked as sets of two leaves for each bud, and then minimally processed for a nuanced flavor and high level of antioxidants. White Peony’s pale golden brew has complexly woodsy, floral aromas with hints of cocoa, peaches and apricots. Its layered, full, woodsy, bittersweet flavor is almost reminiscent of our Golden Yunnan black tea. Its light, clean aftertaste makes it a perfect tea for pairing with honey-drizzled apricots or toasted English muffins with butter and honey.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This White Peony Tea from thepuriTea is amazing … it certainly qualifies as one of the best Bai Mu Dan teas I’ve ever had. I shouldn’t be surprised, of course, because thepuriTea seldom fails to impress me … in fact, I can’t think of a time when they have failed to impress me with their teas.
The flavor is so surprising. My first sip, I tasted creaminess: sweet, luscious, creaminess! After that first sip, my palate began to explore many of the flavors that are suggested in the description above. Yes, I taste the notes of cocoa – and they are profound! I taste sweet peaches. I taste a hint of flower in the distance, and a slight woody/oaky taste.
And while most Bai Mu Dan teas tend to be very delicate … this one is much fuller flavored. It does have that lighter quality … this is not a black tea, after all, but from the moment I take a sip, my palate is greeted with so much flavor … it doesn’t have to go searching for it.
What I’m not noticing much of here, are strong notes of vegetation or of hay … which are often found in Bai Mu Dan. That’s why I find this cup so surprising. I enjoy those vegetal and hay notes in other Bai Mu Dan – don’t get me wrong! – but, it was nice to try this cup and discover something a little different!
I’m sure you’re probably thinking, oh, sure, it’s just a Bai Mu Dan … and you’ve tried one, you’ve tried them all. Not true! And the same can be said with just about any type of tea … don’t think that just because you’ve tried one type of tea that you won’t like that tea from any company. It is important to taste around … and discover new teas! Otherwise, you may just be missing out on a new favorite!
