Harvesting and Production Process

The harvesting of Moonlight White Tea leaves is meticulous, focusing on picking one bud and one or two leaves near the bud. After harvesting, the leaves are spread out on sifts, placed on wooden racks indoors to avoid direct sunlight. This allows the leaves to naturally wither, dehydrate, and undergo mild fermentation during the withering process without rolling. Traditional white tea often employs sunlight withering, but Moonlight White Tea requires shade drying, either in moonlight or a dark place.

Origin

Most of the fresh leaves for Moonlight White Tea come from Yunnan Jinggu Da Bai Cha (大白茶), located in Jinggu County, Puer City, Yunnan. Materials from Lan Cang and Lin Cang are also used. The leaves Da Bai Cha (大白茶) are also the raw material for many famous Pu'er teas produced locally.

This Yue Guang Bai White Moonlight tea is made from leaves that are plucked from the same Yunnan trees that are used for producing the region’s numerous pu-erh teas.

A Jinggu Ancient Tea Tree With An Engraved Number Plate

Divergence on the Classification of Moonlight White Tea

There has always been a divergence regarding the classification of Moonlight White Tea, and even within academic circles, there is still no clear consensus on which category this tea belongs to.

Some argue that Moonlight White Tea should be classified as black tea. While its processing technique lacks the frying and rolling typically associated with white tea, its quality characteristics align more closely with black tea. Moonlight White Tea undergoes heavier withering than white tea but lighter fermentation than black tea, placing it somewhere in between the two, leaning towards black tea. Some even suggest that Moonlight White Tea should be categorized as black tea. Traditional black tea involves four main processes: withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying. In contrast, Moonlight White Tea undergoes withering by spreading and air-drying without rolling, allowing for slow, natural fermentation, showcasing a dark leaf surface, similar to black tea but darker than white tea.

Others argue for its classification as Puer tea. This perspective stems from Moonlight White Tea's primary production area being in Yunnan's Puer region (formerly Simao region). Its raw material comes from Yunnan large-leaf tea plants, combined with certain processing techniques resembling those of Puer tea, making it a branch of the Puer tea family.

Alternatively, Moonlight White Tea is suggested to belong to the white tea category. Its production technique shares some similarities with Fujian white tea, with the addition of a light fermentation mode during withering. The infusion gradually transitions from an initial greenish-yellow (first three infusions) to a deeper yellow (fourth to seventh infusions), becoming progressively clear. Its taste is full-bodied and mellow, with a fragrant and warm aroma. Moonlight White Tea offers a unique olfactory experience, starting with a honey-like sweetness, followed by elegant fruity or floral notes.

Yunnan Jinggu Dabaicha Loose Tea

The six major tea categories are classified based on their production methods and the amount of tea polyphenols. Although Moonlight White Tea uses fresh leaves sourced from Yunnan Puer tea trees, its production method involves placing the leaves indoors for natural withering, resulting in mild fermentation (approximately 10%). During the production process, it does not undergo rolling and lacks the characteristics of post-fermentation. Therefore, the production technique, fermentation process, and degree of fermentation all fall within the category of white tea. Hence, Moonlight White Tea is undoubtedly a type of white tea.

In summary, conventionally, Moonlight White Tea is commonly categorized as white tea. It can be understood simply as a unique "white tea" crafted using fresh leaves from Yunnan large-leaf tea plants and employing the white tea production techniques of Fujian.

Characteristics

Moonlight White Tea has a unique appearance with black front and white back leaves, showcasing visible buds like a crescent moon. The infusion is bright orange-red, with a high and long-lasting sweet aroma. The taste is mellow, full-bodied, and leaves a lingering sweetness. The tea leaves have a uniform red color after brewing.By compacting Moonlight White Loose Tea into cakes, we ensure the utmost preservation of its nutritional elements, thereby safeguarding against any loss that could occur during transportation and storage. As time progresses, the tea's polyphenols and amino acids within the leaves continuously evolve, ultimately amplifying its flavor profile.

After brewing, the tea liquor starts with a greenish-yellow color, transitioning to red and then yellow again, becoming increasingly clear. The tea releases a rich, ethereal fragrance, initially reminiscent of honey, transforming into elegant fruity or floral notes. The aroma of Moonlight White Tea subtly changes with each brewing.

The Origin Of Yunnan Jinggu Da Bai Cha

Moonlight White Tea is considered a specialty tea primarily processed through withering, and its main chemical components are similar to those in green tea. It contains a unique marker - the highest known content of amino acids among various tea types, ranging from 6% to 9%, reaching up to 11.4% in samples from Jingmai Mountain, Yunnan.

Embark on a journey of sensory delight with Moonlight White Tea Cake, where every sip unveils layers of flavor and fragrance meticulously preserved through centuries-old techniques. This tea, also affectionately known as "Moonlight Beauty," encapsulates the essence of Yunnan's terroir and the subtleties of Fujian white tea craftsmanship. Its uniquely shaped leaves, resembling the graceful curve of a crescent moon, add an aesthetic charm to your tea ritual. Immerse yourself in the rich history, meticulous harvesting, and distinct processing that culminate in a tea experience that transcends boundaries. Elevate your tea collection with Moonlight White Tea – an exceptional blend that beckons connoisseurs and tea enthusiasts alike to indulge in the sophistication of its taste, the elegance of its aroma, and the timeless allure of its heritage. Purchase a piece of moonlit magic and let Moonlight White Tea enchant your tea moments with every steep.