Zhenghe Shou Mei White Tea Cake 2019

The production process of white tea is simple, without rolling or Sha Qing, only naturally withered and dried, so a large number of nutrients in the tea leaves are retained. With the natural aging process, the internal substances and aroma of white tea are slowly changing, so there is also a saying that "one-year tea, three-year medicine, and seven-year treasure."

This Zhenghe Shou Mei white tea, after years of aging, has leaves that have gradually turned brown-yellow. Placing the dry tea into a pre-warmed Gaiwan and gently shaking it releases a rich aroma that immediately fills the air. It's a natural fragrance, a blend of sweetness, floral, and aged scents. Once brewed, the tea liquid is clear, bright, and transparent. The first sip is sweet and moist, with a full-bodied taste. It greets the palate with the sweet aromas of dates and honey, which then transition into a delicate floral aftertaste. This smooth and pleasant transformation of flavors showcases the unique charm and complexity of aged white tea.

	Cup Method		Chinese Gongfu Method
	Teacup: 12oz / 355ml		Gaiwan: 3.8oz / 110ml
	203℉ / 95℃		203℉ / 95℃
	5g		5g
	Brewing time: 3 - 5 mins		9 steeps: rinse, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 100s, 120s

Yangyuan Tea Garden is located in Yangyuan Township, Zhenghe County, Nanping City, Fujian Province, and is characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate. The region enjoys distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, undulating mountains, and mountains shrouded in mist, providing ample moisture and ideal light conditions for tea trees, thus creating a unique microclimate. The soil here is primarily red soil rich in minerals, with good drainage, deep soil layers, and abundant organic matter, offering rich nutrients for the growth of white tea. The growth, harvesting, and processing of tea leaves here are closely dependent on the natural conditions of this area, which also contribute to the tea's unique aroma and flavor.

Zhenghe County, a jurisdiction of Nanping City in Fujian Province, is located at the junction of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces in the northern part of Fujian, making it the easternmost county of Nanping City. It is situated in the mid-subtropical monsoon humid climate zone, characterized by mild and moist weather, abundant rainfall, and distinct seasons. Zhenghe County is one of the key forestry counties (cities) in southern China and is renowned as the "City of Bamboo Craftsmanship", the "Hometown of White Tea", the "Hometown of Nanmu (楠木)", and the "Hometown of Chinese Chestnuts in China". Not only does it boast an exceptional ecological environment, but it is also the origin of a variety of distinctive agricultural products, particularly in the production of white tea. Zhenghe County has a long history and rich cultural heritage in white tea production, with its white tea being of excellent quality and beloved by consumers.

Fu'an Dabai Tea Tree species was discovered as a local fine variety during a mass tea tree improvement survey and selection work carried out in 1964. Although it has only been discovered for just over a decade, its introduction and breeding development have progressed rapidly. This semi-arboreal variety features a tall and large tree form with a distinct main trunk. The tree height reaches about 2.8 meters, with a width of approximately 2.7 meters, and the main trunk diameter is about 5 centimeters. It produces white tea of excellent quality, particularly Silver Needle, characterized by robust buds and prominent white hairs. The fresh leaves (one bud and two leaves) contain 27.16% tea polyphenols and 4.56% caffeine.

Zhenghe white tea originates from Zhenghe County in Fujian Province, China, and is one of the important production areas for Chinese white tea. The history of white tea production in Zhenghe County mainly began during the Song Dynasty. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as tea culture became popular and tea trade flourished, Zhenghe white tea gradually became known to the world. During the Qing Dynasty, Zhenghe County had developed a relatively mature white tea production technology and system, becoming one of the important production areas for Chinese white tea. Zhenghe white tea is renowned for its unique geographical environment and exquisite tea-making craftsmanship, constituting an important part of Chinese traditional tea culture.