A young monk approached the wise tea master Lao Cha.
— Sifu, I am looking for a tea that encompasses the gentleness of the Moon itself. One that is sweet, smooth, warm, and fuzzy. One that hosts no bitterness and will wash every last worry away.
Lao Cha extended a cup full of "Moonlight Beauty".
"Moonlight Beauty" Yue Guang Meiren is made exclusively from tender buds covered in soft fuzz. This tea also goes by the name "Yue Guang Bai Cha" (月光白茶). Farmers usually pick one bud and two leaves for Yue Guang Bai. However, this tea is of an even higher grade, containing only tender and delicate buds covered with a soft white fuzz. The taste is rich, with slowly unfurling honey notes and fresh sweetness.
The name "Moonlight Beauty" (月光美人 – Yue Guang Meiren) originates from a legend that speaks of beautiful young girls who would harvest the tea buds at night, under the full moon. While it is a legend, there is some truth to it:
Farmers usually harvest the tea leaves in early April. They pick tea leaves in daylight, like any other tea. However, they then spread them indoors to wither in the shade and dry them overnight. The tea leaves are then kept in very little or no direct sunlight. Processed as white tea, the leaves don't undergo "kill green" or kneading. It's tea in its most natural form. Heat and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight are two factors that can destroy the volatile amino acids in tea leaves. Thus, keeping the tea leaves shaded and cool increases the overall amount of amino acids in Yue Guang Mei Ren. No wonder this tea is reputed to have one of the highest amino acid contents, ranging from 6-9%. Some samples reach a whopping 11% – twice that of an ordinary green tea! Thus, we get a tea with an added dose of fresh and delicate sweetness.
Tea's taste speaks for itself – sweet and smooth, without even a hint of bitterness. The brew has a delicate, pale yellow color, reminiscent of the soft glow of moonlight. A poetic description of this tea says, "Its buds are white and bright like a curved moon".
Brewing guidelines:
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185℉ / 85℃
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1 g per 70-100 ml
3-5 min -
1 g per 20 ml10 sec + 5 sec for each subsequent infusion