China White Pekoe is a minimally processed Chinese white tea — one of the least processed tea categories, made primarily from young, downy buds and the newest leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. White tea production involves only minimal withering and gentle drying without rolling, twisting, or firing, allowing the leaf to slowly oxidize naturally at very low levels. The result preserves the natural sweetness of the fresh bud and produces a cup of extraordinary delicacy.
White pekoe has been produced in Fujian Province for centuries, particularly in the counties of Fuding and Zhenghe. The finest white teas (Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Silver Needle) consist entirely of unopened buds; White Pekoe uses buds with one or two young leaves, producing a slightly more full-bodied cup with the same delicate character.
In the cup, China White Pekoe brews a very pale yellow to clear, luminous gold. The aroma is subtle — honey, fresh hay, a whisper of melon. The body is delicate and light, the finish clean and sweet.
Brew at 175°F for 3 minutes. Use 2.5 grams per 6-ounce cup.