Pai Mu Tan, an excellent white tea value
Light, sweet, delicious, relaxing, and affordable are the things that come to mind when I think of Pai Mu Tan. Pai Mu Tan is a white tea from China. The tea leaves are plucked from a tea bush called Narcissus or Chaicha. Narcissus and Chaicha are cultivated plants named under the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. The particular Pai Mu Tan I’m drinking today is certified as organic.
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
With all the background of this tea out of the way, it’s time to take a sip. As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog this is an excellent white tea due to its value. The tea has a subtle white tea flavor with a light sweetness throughout. For those new to white tea, just imagine the smell of a freshly cut hay field. That aroma and freshness is similar to the scent and flavor of white tea. White tea is very fresh. After it’s picked it is sun-dried with little to no additional processing. I highly recommend this white tea if you are looking for a new tea experience. Pai Mu Tan will give you a good idea of what white tea is all about. If you like it, you can try other white teas or simply stick with what you know. Pai Mu Tan steeped best by using 180 degree water for 3 minutes.
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