Shuixian White

A robust white tea made from Wuyi's famous Shuixian cultivar, its delectably complex taste gives rise to a wide range notes popping up hear and there: from nutty and woody to sweet and creamy. In gongfu cha, its gentle astringency lifts off the palate in the style of escarole from the summer garden.

From a 2024 Summer tea letter:

The Shuixian varietal is one of the oldest of the region—common to teas of both Fujian and Guangdong. It is usually used for oolong and known for its body and qi more than aroma. While the Mandarin can mean Water Sprite or Narcissus Flower, the name was actually inherited from an older indigenous language. The original meaning may have been Wish Cave. 

The Shuixian tea trees that this year’s white tea was harvested from grow in a wild garden tended by the Chen family, who I get many of my favorite teas from in Fujian. The picking standard for the tea is two leaves and a bud, similar to White Peony. The naming convention for Chinese white teas is to call a tea made of only buds Silver Needles. A white tea picked with one leaf and one bud is King Peony. Two leaves and one bud is White Peony, or Bai Mudan.

I love seeing the untamed leaves and stems of this tea rising up out of my gaiwan. I take particular delight in a large stem that shows the two leaves and bud fully intact. All white teas are cooling. As you sip in the shade, know that even as the water heats you up initially, the tea will be bringing down your body temperature.

Peddler's Note:

This easy-going tea is great for gong fu cha, a casual steep in a cup (grandpa style), immortal style in glass bottle, and cold-brewed. Put 9 grams in a liter of water and leave it in the fridge over night for a cool summer treat.

It's also pretty mild in caffeine in a good way. in the early evening. I find it cleansing, satisfying, and not overly-caffeinating.

Label 22:

Gentle Rabbit 

Quiet Observation

When the gentle rabbit finds a moment for solitary introspection, the demands of her day fade into the background. Approaching her inquiry with modesty and care, she gazes receptively at the tea leaves left in the bottom of her pitcher. Because she displays heartfelt curiosity toward the inner workings of things—the Tao reveals itself to her in simple and intuitive ways. Some would call her a sage. Just look at her tea setup and you can see why.

Pouring emptiness into emptiness, she never runs out. The contents of her black teacup remain hidden. Is there something or nothing, and can it be used? Many seek her uncanny counsel, sensing a mysterious depth born from her practice of quiet observation.

For some, being alone with their thoughts and feelings is frightening. The rabbit enjoys her own company and finds the gifts of awareness to be many. She doesn’t mind when the two birds on her dress part and give her space for reflection. Used to caring for others, she appreciates the ring of protection that solitude grants her. Like the circle on the rabbit’s teacup, everything is complete in the small space. Her white saucer and black carpet give her access to the binary that gives birth to the complexity of the universe. Her simple tea set is a cosmic playground.