2021 Aged Daxueshan White Tea Dragon Balls

White tea is getting more and more popular across China, but a lot of the attention has been put on the Fuding area of Fujian, the home of white tea, to produce the best quality white teas out there. However, a sleeping giant of white tea is Yunnan province, that can produce the same if not more than what Fuding can muster. The difference is in the varietal. Yunnan white teas are made using Yunnan big-leaf varietals while Fuding white teas use local medium-leaf varietals. The taste difference is stark.

 

This tea is truly a gift from the tea gods. A 3 year aged Daxueshan ancient tree white tea, made using 200+ year old material, and pressed into a small one-session dragon ball for convenience. Honey, floral, and sweet, this tea has a smooth profile yet possesses that gushu kick. Nothing like its Fuding counterpart, this tea really is the embodiment of Yunnan white tea. You can try this tea side by side with a Fuding white tea of similar age, and see the difference in taste.

Tea Information

• Harvest Date: 20th March - 20th April 2020
• Origin: Daxueshan, Mengku, Lincang Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (中国，云南省，临沧市，勐库镇，大雪山)
• Varietal: Mengku Da Ye Zhong (勐库大叶种)
• Elevation: 2100+m
• Source: Friend who runs a teashop in Taiwan
• Organic?: Unsure

Map

Brewing Guide

Gongfu Brewing:

• Leaf-to-water ratio: 8g/100ml
• Temperature: 90°C/194°F
• Steeping time: 1m, then 30s, +5-10s for each subsequent steep

 

Western Brewing:

• Not recommended for western brewing

 

Grandpa Style:

• Not recommended for grandpa-style brewing

 

Don't know anything about these brewing styles? Fret not! Read our "How to Brew Chinese Tea" article here!

 

* Ultimately, experiment with the different parameters to find what works for you. If you think it's too bitter, reduce the temperature. If it's too strong, reduce the number of leaves used. This is just a guide with rough parameters to get you started.

Media

Friend's ancient tea trees in Daxueshan