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Country of Origin: China
Region: Fujian Province
Shipping: Fuzhou
Grade: Pai Mu Tan Grade #1 (a.k.a. White Peony)
Manufacture Type: White Tea - naturally withered
Cup Characteristics: Clear slightly pale cup with a fresh
aroma and a smooth velvety flavor. Delicate jammy notes
reminiscent of Keemun or a mild Bordeaux
Infusion: Pale yellow
This tea is the highest grade of white tea available before entering the stratosphere in
pricing for white teas such as Peony White Needle Tea. Pai Mu Tan leaves are plucked
from a special varietal tea bush called Narcissus or chaicha bushes. The leaves are not
steamed or pan-fired (the process used in green teas). The leaves are naturally withered
and dried in the sun. If mechanical drying is required it is a baking process at
temperatures less that 40’C. Only special ‘two leaves and a bud’ are selected. These
leaves must show a very light green almost gray white color and be covered with velvet
peach fuzz down.
The western cosmetic industry has recently discovered the benefits of white tea. In
addition to its anticancer properties, tea has a calming and detoxifying effect on the skin.
White tea is especially potent in that it is has three times as many antioxidant polyphenols
as green or black tea and has been shown to be 100% more effective in mopping up free
radicals that cause skin to sag. Some of the world’s top cosmetic companies are
becoming very interested in white tea for skin creams and the result is that high grade
white tea is becoming even more rare than before.
Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute in Oregon tested white teas on selected rates
to test for the ability of white teas to inhibit natural mutations in bacteria and to protect the
rates from colon cancer. Interestingly, white teas were found to be more effective than
green tea in inhibiting the early stages of cancer but researchers were quick to point out
that their study was on rats and the effects should not be extrapolated to humans. The
researchers also discovered that white tea contains higher levels of caffeine compared to
green tea brewed under the same conditions. They suggested that this could occur
because white tea oxidizes during withering whereas in green tea the oxidation process is
stopped early in the tea making process by steaming or panfiring.
Hot tea brewing method: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly (à la
chinoise)- about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180’F or 80’C. Place 1-2
teaspoons of leaves in your cup and let the tea steep for 3 minutes. Then begin enjoying a
cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Once the water level is low -
add more water, and so on - until the tea flavor is exhausted. Milk or sugar will mask the
delicate characters of this tea and are not recommended. Look at the pattern of the leaves
- they foretell life.
Region: Fujian Province
Shipping: Fuzhou
Grade: Pai Mu Tan Grade #1 (a.k.a. White Peony)
Manufacture Type: White Tea - naturally withered
Cup Characteristics: Clear slightly pale cup with a fresh
aroma and a smooth velvety flavor. Delicate jammy notes
reminiscent of Keemun or a mild Bordeaux
Infusion: Pale yellow
This tea is the highest grade of white tea available before entering the stratosphere in
pricing for white teas such as Peony White Needle Tea. Pai Mu Tan leaves are plucked
from a special varietal tea bush called Narcissus or chaicha bushes. The leaves are not
steamed or pan-fired (the process used in green teas). The leaves are naturally withered
and dried in the sun. If mechanical drying is required it is a baking process at
temperatures less that 40’C. Only special ‘two leaves and a bud’ are selected. These
leaves must show a very light green almost gray white color and be covered with velvet
peach fuzz down.
The western cosmetic industry has recently discovered the benefits of white tea. In
addition to its anticancer properties, tea has a calming and detoxifying effect on the skin.
White tea is especially potent in that it is has three times as many antioxidant polyphenols
as green or black tea and has been shown to be 100% more effective in mopping up free
radicals that cause skin to sag. Some of the world’s top cosmetic companies are
becoming very interested in white tea for skin creams and the result is that high grade
white tea is becoming even more rare than before.
Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute in Oregon tested white teas on selected rates
to test for the ability of white teas to inhibit natural mutations in bacteria and to protect the
rates from colon cancer. Interestingly, white teas were found to be more effective than
green tea in inhibiting the early stages of cancer but researchers were quick to point out
that their study was on rats and the effects should not be extrapolated to humans. The
researchers also discovered that white tea contains higher levels of caffeine compared to
green tea brewed under the same conditions. They suggested that this could occur
because white tea oxidizes during withering whereas in green tea the oxidation process is
stopped early in the tea making process by steaming or panfiring.
Hot tea brewing method: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly (à la
chinoise)- about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180’F or 80’C. Place 1-2
teaspoons of leaves in your cup and let the tea steep for 3 minutes. Then begin enjoying a
cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Once the water level is low -
add more water, and so on - until the tea flavor is exhausted. Milk or sugar will mask the
delicate characters of this tea and are not recommended. Look at the pattern of the leaves
- they foretell life.
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About Camille's Tea:
Camille's Tea, based in the San Antonio, Texas area, offers a wide variety of gourmet teas, including flavored teas, traditional teas, green teas,
herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, decaf teas, caffeine free teas, and iced teas, and lavender, Time & Again Shea butter, Chantal teapots,
Lomonosov teapots, tea infusers, tea accessories, Aroma Naturals candles, Bearington Bears, tea linens, neck warmers, Herbal Concepts
slippers and eye pacs, and Pre de Provence bath and body products. We also feature multiple tea of the month clubs. Read more >>
Camille's Tea, based in the San Antonio, Texas area, offers a wide variety of gourmet teas, including flavored teas, traditional teas, green teas,
herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, decaf teas, caffeine free teas, and iced teas, and lavender, Time & Again Shea butter, Chantal teapots,
Lomonosov teapots, tea infusers, tea accessories, Aroma Naturals candles, Bearington Bears, tea linens, neck warmers, Herbal Concepts
slippers and eye pacs, and Pre de Provence bath and body products. We also feature multiple tea of the month clubs. Read more >>
| To pay by check or money order, call 210-887-4312 or 210-241-0890 or email camille@camillestea.com. |
