EN
Shou Mei (寿眉), "Old Man's Eyebrows" or "Longevity Eyebrows", is a classic Fuding white tea. Lao Shou Mei is an aged 2017 version from the Ding Yong Hao factory, which specializes in white tea. It uses leaves and a small amount of buds from the spring harvest, and proper storage has brought the tea to maturity. The final pressing was in late 2019.
The tea comes as a neat 350 g cake with soft pressing that is easy to break apart with a tea knife or pick. At the break you can see uniform raw material: large leaves, a moderate amount of buds and a few stems.
Characteristics
- Type: aged white tea (lao bai cha), Shou Mei
- Region: Fuding
- Harvest: spring 2017, pressed in late 2019
- Factory: Ding Yong Hao
- Shape and weight: 350 g cake, soft pressing
Aroma and Taste
Dry leaf: warm, spicy and berry-like, with shades of herbs, flowers and fruit.
Infusion: soft, juicy, floral and berry-like; shades of dried herbs, damp wood, wildflowers and spices. The taste is clean, rounded, light and slightly sweet.
Aftertaste: long and warm, with a pleasant, refreshing berry tang.
Why You'll Love It
A noble aged tea for unhurried tea sessions in the cooler months. It is lovely in gongfu infusions and also suits boiling over a flame, warming you and filling you with comfort.
How to Brew
Gongfu brewing (porcelain or clay ware):
- 3–4 g of tea per 100 ml of water
- water at 90 °C
- short infusions of 10–20 s, then add 5–10 s each time
- the tea holds up to 6–7 infusions
Western-style brewing (glass or porcelain teapot):
- 6–8 g of tea per 1000 ml of water
- water at 90 °C; warm the teapot with hot water
- steep for 4–5 min and pour into cups
Storage
Store in a dry place free of foreign odors, away from light and moisture.