Osmanthus White Tea 桂花白茶
You may have tasted various types of chinese white tea, but Osmanthus White Tea, scented with fresh Osmanthus flowers, may offer you a unique flavor experience that you have yet to encounter.
Our Tea In Chinese Tea Service Set
About Osmanthus
In China, Osmanthus flowers are primarily divided into four types: Golden Osmanthus(金桂), Silver Osmanthus(银桂), Sweet Osmanthus(丹桂), and Four Seasons Osmanthus(四季桂). Golden Osmanthus has a rich fragrance, while Sweet Osmanthus emits a sweet aroma.
In Northern Fujian, located within the Wuyi Mountain range, the most common type is Silver Osmanthus, also known as August Osmanthus. Silver Osmanthus blooms in the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, releasing a subtle and elegant fragrance that is distinctly different from the strong scent of Golden Osmanthus and the sweetness of Sweet Osmanthus.
We have carefully selected good quality Osmanthus flowers from old trees growing at altitudes above 1,000 meters; these flowers bloom only once a year. When in bloom, their aroma is captivating, but their flowering period is extremely short—only three days before the blossoms quickly wither.
flower osmanthus
About White Tea
Our Osmanthus Tea uses White Peony (bai mu dan) as the tea base, sourced from Zhenghe County in Fujian Province, China. Each spring, during the harvesting season for Zhenghe White Tea, we specifically gather the tea leaves before Qingming Festival (before April 4). The harvesting standards include picking one bud with one leaf or one with two leaves to ensure the tea is rich in white fuzz.
cups of tea
The white tea classification system includes many grades, each representing different harvesting times, picking standards, and flavor profiles. White Peony tea is considered highly valuable among white teas, surpassing both Shou Mei and Gong Mei in quality, and is rich in white fuzz on plants, offering a floral aroma reminiscent of Silver Needle tea (bai hao yin zhen).
This particular Osmanthus White Tea was harvested in 2020, made from high-altitude White Peony picked from elevations between 800 and 1,000 meters according to the one bud and one or two leaves standard. After five years of aging, the grassy taste of the white tea has faded, replaced by a gentle and mellow flavor that offers a lingering aftertaste.
Good Tea Needs Time to Prove Itself
Compared to easily scented teas such as green or black tea, the scenting process for white tea is more challenging. To ensure consistent scent absorption, we have higher quality requirements for the flowers, which is why we choose Osmanthus flowers from older trees to ensure their aroma is both unique and intense.
Moreover, a top-quality white tea needs time to age properly; with our exceptional storage conditions, we guarantee that the tea remains free from any undesirable off-flavors. The naturally matured White Peony blends seamlessly with the inherent aroma of Osmanthus, creating an ideal fusion of floral and honey undertones.
white tea leaves
Lumostea's Choice
We actively collaborate with tea makers from around the world. This tea is the result of a joint effort between tea artisans in Nanping, Fujian, and local Osmanthus flower pickers. We use only pure, natural flowers and high-quality tea leaves for scenting, with absolutely no artificial flavors added. We are delighted to share the process of making this tea with you and hope you enjoy its unique charm.