Anji Baicha 2020 No.346

This rare white tea tree 白茶一号 varietal is called this way because in the very first flushes of the tea tender buds are quite white, still lucking chlorophyll. Later on the leaves develop a darker greenish yellowish color. As being early picked the teas is very high in L-theanin, which is responsible for calming, uplifting ethereal effect. Anji Bai Chai said to contain 3 to 4 times more amino acids than green tea. It also contains less polyphenol, so  the taste is less bitter and astringent compared to other teas.

The story:
In the Song Dynasty period emperor Hui Zhong wrote a book on tea, called Treatise on Tea 大觀茶論. He was a great tea master, admired tea ceremony. He claimed in his book that one of his very favorite tea was Anji Baicha.
When reviving the Anji tea tradition in the end of 1990’s, researchers have found a few original Baicha tea trees around 300 years of age. These were the starting point of the new plantations, they made cuttings and from these old trees. Our grower proudly claims that his tea bushes originate from the first cuttings of the trees, as later only cuttings from the new bushes were allowed.

“Today I will tell you the story of Anji white tea. As early as around 2000, Anji was still in poverty. At that time, some foresighted villagers pruned the first generation of Anji white tea on the mother tree of Anji white tea, and started to grow tea to make tea. At that time, it was very difficult to do. There was no money, and the Anji white tea market was not so good. But the people who persevered won. My uncle is one of them. Since 2008, he often wins prizes at the local tea competition. This is half of the credit, also because the tea trees in his tea garden are the first generation of cuttings of the mother tree! Later, after the Anji white tea was gradually accepted by the market, the later-conscious people started cutting. Many of the Anji white tea you bought on the market may be the fifth and sixth generation cuttings. . . That tea is made to bring a baby’s taste, you can imagine. So you are lucky to meet me. We have to get Anji white tea as the first generation of cuttings in the mother tree, 18 years old! Don’t compare with those old trees, it’s not a concept.”  An introduction from our tea grower.

Tasting notes:
Green asparagus, green beans, pea sprout, umami. Finally we just had this nice, ethereal feeling and said “Aaaah”.

Preparing Instructions:

Quantity: 6-7 gramm per 180ml
Water temperature: 75ºC. From fresh, cold spring water or filtered water
Brewing time: 10-15…seconds
Infusions: 5-6