2013 Aged Shou Mei White Tea Cake

The 2013 Aged Shou Mei White Tea Cake comes from Hulin Village, Panxi Town, Fuding, a region known for producing some of the finest high-mountain white teas. Harvested in April 2013 from the Fuding Da Hao cultivar, this tea follows a one bud, three leaves picking standard, ensuring a balance of delicate buds and mature leaves. After 48 hours of withering, the tea underwent a meticulous 20-day resting period before final drying and processing, allowing the leaves to develop their foundation for long-term aging.

After 12 years of natural aging, this tea has transformed into a rich, full-bodied brew with remarkable depth. Proper storage has enhanced its natural honeyed aroma, while time has brought out notes of red dates, aged wood, and subtle medicinal herbs. The liquor is smooth and warming, with a velvety texture that deepens when brewed traditionally or simmered for an extended time.

Shou Mei (寿眉, "Longevity Eyebrow") is named for its crescent-shaped leaves, which resemble an elder’s eyebrow. As a later-harvest white tea, it contains a higher proportion of mature leaves and stems, making it particularly well-suited for aging. These thicker leaves house a concentrated reservoir of flavor compounds, while the natural gaps between stems promote airflow, allowing gradual oxidation and the development of complex, layered flavors over time.

With 85% forest coverage, the pristine environment of Hulin Village provides ideal conditions for producing high-quality white tea, resulting in a tea that is both flavorful and naturally rich in beneficial compounds. Whether enjoyed now for its smooth, aged complexity or stored for further maturation, this 2013 Shou Mei White Tea Cake stands as a testament to the beauty of time-honored Fuding white tea craftsmanship.