Shou Mei (壽眉)

archetype: Young gardener

A young gardener at the start of autumn: a simplicity of leaf, an even sweetness, a quiet domestic warmth.

History

Shou Mei — 'longevity eyebrows' — is the most 'earthy' of the white teas. Made from a more mature leaf — without buds, or with very few — the leaf is larger and rougher than that of Bai Mu Dan. So Shou Mei traditionally costs less, but many love it for its honest household simplicity: a sweetness without strain, a warm hay note, an even character. With years of ageing it only deepens.

Old people in Fuding say that long ago a gardener lived in the village whose bushes were the most even. His leaf never smelled stronger than his neighbour's — but in the cup it was always calmer. When the gardener died, the villagers called the variety 'longevity eyebrows' — for in every house they know that even simplicity serves longer than loud beauty.

Terroir

200–600 m, lower gardens than for Yin Zhen. weathered granite, loose red clay with a deep layer of organic matter. closeness of the sea, mild winters, humid mists. Shou Mei is mostly made from the Cai Cha cultivar ('field tea'), more rarely from Da Bai. Picking comes after Bai Mu Dan, when the leaf is already larger.

Leaf

dry leaf: large dark-green and grey-brown leaves with few buds; smelling of hay, ripe persimmon and warm wood

warmed: the warmed leaf — dry hay, ripe persimmon, warm wood, a light honey

after pour: after the infusion — hay, persimmon, honey, warm wood

taste: dry hay, ripe persimmon, a light woody sweetness, honey

finish: long, even, without sharpness; the aftertaste is a warm autumn trail

Properties

TCM: neutral-cool; clears heat, supports stomach and lungs, becomes warmer with age

Modern: rich in antioxidants, low catechins because of the mature leaf; gentle stimulation, suits almost everyone

Cha qi: even, soft, dispersing across the chest; felt as 'the calm of a household table'

Caffeine: moderate (25–40 mg)

Brewing ritual

a large 200 ml gaiwan — the leaf is big; 92 °C; 6 g / 200 ml. 15s — the first warmth: hay, persimmon; 20s — the peak: a woody sweetness, a soft body; 30s — a long even note; 50s — a warm autumn trail.

When to drink

day and evening. autumn and shoulder seasons. when nothing special is needed, for everyday tea, for visits. ripe persimmon, biscuits, dried fruit, light cheese, pumpkin pie. the family table; a chat with a neighbour; reading alone

Tea meditation

A simple tea is not a poor one.
An even sweetness is work without applause.
Thank the one who picked the leaf.

Questions and answers

How do you brew Shou Mei?

What does Shou Mei taste like?

dry hay, ripe persimmon, a light woody sweetness, honey

How much caffeine is in Shou Mei?

moderate (25–40 mg)

What are the effects of Shou Mei?

rich in antioxidants, low catechins because of the mature leaf; gentle stimulation, suits almost everyone