Fengqing Gao Shan Bai Cha 2026 - Yunnan White Tea

We came to this tea through a third-generation Bai minority (白族) family in Fengqing who have been making tea on their own mountains for decades. From cultivation to processing, they keep every step of craftsmanship and production within the family. The family manages extensive forest land with hundreds of wild, uncultivated tea trees, although this tea itself comes from cultivated ancient trees. Better known for reds like Dian Hong and Shai Hong, they only began making bai cha 白茶 (white tea) from their highest-altitude ancient tea trees a few years ago. We call this tea Gao Shan 高山 (high mountain), a term borrowed from Taiwanese wulong, because these trees grow at around 2,300 meters above sea level.

We reserved this 2026 batch a year in advance. It grows in Fengqing district in Lincang from cultivated gushu 古樹 (ancient trees), many of them over 300 years old. Picked in late March, it is simply shade-dried after harvest. This entire harvest is normally pressed into white tea cakes. That's why we asked the family to reserve part of it for us as loose leaves.

Unlike many Yunnan white teas, this one opens with a refined floral aroma that reminds us of an early first flush Darjeeling, while still keeping the sweetness and inner depth we expect from a Yunnan white. The compressed version has become Pink's parents' everyday morning tea, accompanying them daily to their dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong. We recommend this tea to drinkers who want to experience another side of Yunnan bai cha. Actually, we recommend it to everyone. This is a truly affordable gem.