2015 Spring Moonlight Pavilion Pure Bud Bi Luo Chun White Tea

June Wedding! Time to move onto a “borrowed” tea (or in this case, something I was gifted or received via a trade, exchange, or traveling tea box… in other words, something that wasn’t simply purchased from a company). So this tea came from the last Here’s Hoping Traveling Teabox, which was organized by tea-sipper. Thanks to tea-sipper and the kind individual that shared this sampler!

I prepared the 2g sampler I saved from the box western style, and noticed a floral aroma of honeysuckle from the pale yellow infusion. Despite this tea being a 2015 harvest, I was really impressed with the flavor. It reminded me of some of the Yunnan green teas I’ve tasted, but still retained that very light, delicate, silky mouthfeel I’m used to with white teas… I can definitely see myself wanting more of this varietal! The base is warm and grassy, with a subtle hint of anise and nuts, and a sweet floral finish.

Really enjoyed this one, and surprised at how much flavor it produced, considering both its age and the fact that most whites I’ve tried in the past have had such a subtle flavor.

Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #36
I had a massive headache (or everything ache) all day, so I couldn’t drink much caffeine and this sadly only had one steep. But the first steep was definitely delicious. The flavor wasn’t quite like other Moonlight teas I’ve tried either but of course, it’s tough for me to describe.

Of all the plain white teas, which aren’t many, Bi Lou Chun always seems to be the most unique. In this one there are definitely grass notes a bit of hay but I’m also tasting some sweet notes. Not quite floral more like sugar sweet.

Definite notes of grass in this one. This is one I added sugar too. Improves it a lot. Makes it quite a bit more enjoyable.

Brewed this one time in a Teavana Glass Perfect Tea Maker/Gravity Steeper with 3 tsp leaf and 185 degree water for 3 min.

Tasting #1 – Steep Time 2 Minute
Very faint in flavor and aroma. At this point the only thing I can discern is hay or dry grass.

Tasting #2 – Steep Time 4 Minutes
Now there is a very mild flavor of a roasted oolong, but still distinctly the flavors that you might associate with a barnyard.

Tasting # 3 – Steep Time 6 Minutes
There isn’t much more going on at this point. The tea is easy to drink, the flavor is subtle so it’s easy to continuously drink it. Overall, its a good tea but I prefer something with more complex flavor.

COLD BREW
White teas are delicious cold! Its so easy to mess them up if your water is too hot but when they’re cold there is no worry about the astringency and the subtle flavors have an opportunity to flourish.
I’m finishing up the last of this tea and I’m honestly sad to see it go. It was an excellent staple in my fridge and now I wonder what I’ll like next.