Harvest Location: Fuding, Fujian, China
Harvest Date: 2016
Cultivar: Fuding Da Bai
Flavor: Woody, earthy, mellow, and sweet with a lingering aftertaste
Dried leaves: Compressed large brown leaves
Liquor: Bright Orange
 
Shou Mei, meaning “Longevity Eyebrow,” is a traditional Chinese white tea made from later-season leaves and buds — typically harvested after Bai Mudan. These leaves are more mature and robust, resulting in a darker, more full-bodied tea with greater depth and complexity compared to other white teas.
 
This particular Shou Mei was harvested in 2016 from the renowned white tea-producing region of Fuding, Fujian Province. After natural withering and minimal processing, the tea was carefully compressed into a traditional cake (bing cha) and aged under controlled conditions, allowing the flavors to mature and deepen over time.
 
In Chinese tea culture, there’s a well-known saying about white tea:
“One-year tea; Three-years medicine; Seven-years treasure.”
This reflects the belief that aged white tea not only improves in flavor but also gains medicinal value with time. As it ages, Shou Mei undergoes a slow, natural transformation — developing richer notes of honey, dried fruit, spice, and wood, while mellowing its natural astringency. The brew becomes amber to deep orange, with a smooth, warming body and a slightly sweet, lingering finish.
 
Made primarily from the Da Bai tea cultivar, aged Shou Mei retains the floral undertones of white tea while offering the earthy, grounding qualities of aged teas. It's an excellent choice for tea drinkers who enjoy both the gentleness of white tea and the complexity of aged varieties like pu-erh.
Whether you're enjoying it now or continuing to age it further, this 2016 Fuding Shou Mei cake is a true treasure — rich in flavor, history, and aging potential.