Bai Mu Dan ("White Peony") is a picking from the tea tree of the bud and two young leaves to be made into white tea. This particular tea comes from the Dehong Prefecture in southwest Yunnan, where the leaves are withered in the shade and air-dried.
The hot dry leaves smell of cocoa, bread, and old wooden buildings, with an undertone of fresh-baked sour cream doughnuts. After boiling water is added, a floral sweet aroma pierces the confection.
In early, short steeps, the tea is crisp and refreshing, with a clean floral flavor. As it sits longer, the flavor moves into the nose, and the flavor of snap peas and green beans comes out.
Comparison photo included for dosing/serving size reference.
