White Peony (Bai Mu Dan)

Loose
Appearance: soft, delicate white grey green leaf
Aroma when Dry: soft, floral minty melon,
After water is first poured: floral, sticky chewy sweet
At end of first steep: fruit, melon
Tea liquor:
At end of first steep: hints of grassy green
Staple? Type yes, would gladly restock with brand
Preferred time of day: any
Taste:
At first ?: light, airy, floral, velvety close
As it cools?: gets a bit thicker, juicy, melon notes
Additives used (milk, honey, sugar etc)? No
Lingers? Faintly, melon, almost cantaloupe notes

Second steep (5min)
Aroma: light melon floral
Taste:
At first: velvety floral, melon, apple, rose notes
As it cools: mineral notes surface, tea gets thick, brothy, slightly salty

Let me preface this by saying that this is only the second unflavored white tea I have tried. I really wanted to know what flavor the white tea contributes to the flavored white teas, and after trying this, I can tell that the flavor of the white tea is not lost in Persimmon Tree’s flavored whites, like white guava. You can definitely taste the white tea, along with the added flavor there. Here, I get hayish flavor, but not as strong as in the silver needle white tea. I think I prefer this one over silver needle because of its sweetness. Now I know what the white tea base tastes like, so I’ll be able to appreciate the flavored whites more. In the end though, I think I prefer a little flavor added to my white teas. Maybe that will change, but for now, that’s how it is! ;)

I got this as a sample from Persimmon Tree.
This is the DRIEST tea I’ve ever had. My entire mouth feels parched, and I don’t like it. It’s so dry that my throat even hurts a little bit.

Flavor-wise, it doesn’t taste sweet to me at all. It tastes almost nutty, but in a very flat way, and almost salty/smoky. And I can detect a weird metallic taste if I let it sit on my tongue.

Not a fan.

This is a damn fine white tea…it brews up to a surprisingly rich golden brown brew that sits heavy and comforting in the mouth on each sip. It lacks a lot of the bitter notes I’ve experienced in other whites – which speaks more to my brewing than the blends, I’m afraid – and is all kinds of enjoyable to sit and drink.

It has a lot of nutty, bark-y notes that remind me of fall leaves and the way that autumn smells…although it’s not a flavoured white it has a lot of complexity that keeps me coming back for more. I’ll definitely be buying this one in the future.

I really enjoy white peony teas in general. They are floral but to me a more crisp, clean version compared to more perfumey florals. This one is good, but no better or worse than most other brands I have tried I think.

I had to buy this one, my favorite flowers are peonies! This has a taste that is very different from any other tea I have tried. I am happy that I have now tried a straight white. I like that the dryness from it didn’t go all the way down my throat and become unpleasant as has happened with another white tea I’ve tried. I don’t think white teas are going to be something I reach for often but once in a while is nice.