Mutan White

The Da Bei (Big White) cultivar produces Mutan White on the same hills as Chinese Silver Needle. In fact, Mutan White is typically harvested shortly after the harvest of Chinese Silver Needle, also known as YinZhen, which is located just outside of Fuan in northern Fujian Province. Once enough tips or buds are gathered to produce Chinese Silver Needle, the plants are allowed to continue growing. Then, when two immature leaves have grown, the whole set is harvested: two leaves and a bud (aka tip). The sets are dried in large barns, where the slow process allows a bit of oxidation to occur. This gives Mutan White some fruity and vegetal flavors. Although the leaves look green, this is a white tea because of the production method.