Moonlight White Buds white tea

Moonlight White, known in Chinese as Yue Guang Bai, is a distinctive white tea from Yunnan Province. Its name comes from its striking appearance: the contrast between the dark leaves and silvery-white, downy buds gives the impression of leaves illuminated by moonlight.

The tea is made from the young buds and leaves of Yunnan’s large-leaf tea varieties. These same local tea plants also provide the raw material for many Yunnan pu-erh teas, but Moonlight White undergoes the gentle processing characteristic of white tea. The leaves are withered and dried, naturally undergoing slight oxidation in the process. The resulting dark and silvery tones give the dry leaves their distinctive, almost black-and-white appearance.

Moonlight White has a fuller and more pronounced character than many classic white teas. Its infusion is clear and golden yellow, with honeyed and floral aromas. The flavour is soft, naturally sweet and lingering, revealing fruity notes of peach and a delicate hint of muscatel.

Complex yet beautifully balanced, this tea is a fine example of the remarkable diversity found within the world of white tea.

Moonlight White responds well to a slightly higher water temperature than many delicate white teas. Use soft or filtered water at 80–85 °C. Its character unfolds particularly well when prepared in a gaiwan or Yixing teapot.

Use 3–5 g of tea per 150 ml of water. First warm your teaware with hot water, then steep the first infusion for approximately 1 minute. The resulting liquor should be clear and golden yellow, with honeyed and fruity notes in both aroma and flavour.

Moonlight White can be infused several times. For each subsequent infusion, increase the steeping time by approximately 10–15 seconds. The tea can remain wonderfully expressive through 4–5 infusions, with its character gradually evolving from one cup to the next.