White Peony Pai-mu-tan

White Peony Pai-mu-tan (or Bai Mudan) is a well-known and beloved white tea cultivar. Folks often describe white teas as "delicate," which applies here, although White Peony is more full-bodied than most. And it tastes fresh, like flowers straight from the garden. It steeps up a sunny, gold color, with a velvety texture and slight tingle on the tongue. Some people think it tastes honey, others like fresh fruit, with lingering floral notes—but above all, it tastes like tea at its best: simple and pure.

These leaves are virtually unprocessed. After getting picked, they go through a withering process—that's it! The leaves are beautiful and large, with the buds delicately layered in between. And with less caffeine than most teas, White Peony Pai-mu-tan makes a good choice to sip any time of day. It's also ideal for making kombucha, if that's "your cup of tea".