W-CN-005
Aged White Tea (Lao Bai Cha)
老白茶
Aged compressed or loose white, from Fujian, China.
White tea
Aged White Tea (Lao Bai Cha) is strongest on smoothness, sweetness and body. Typical tasting words: date, dried fig, camphor, honey, cedar. Rooted in the Chinese adage 'one year tea, three years medicine, seven years treasure', aged white tea gained modern cult status. Frequently simmered in clay kettles during winter months or shared in lengthy evening gongfu tea ceremonies.
Also known as Lao Bai Cha, Aged White Tea and Old White Tea.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Fujian, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Fuding Dabaicha or mixed varietals
- Harvest
- spring or autumn picking, aged 3+ years
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 25 to 45%
- Roast
- unroasted
- Leaf
- compressed
- Price band
- premium
- Availability
- common
- Ageing
- made for ageing
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: withering, then drying, then pressing, then extended storage.
Caffeine
A cup of Aged White Tea (Lao Bai Cha) carries a typical estimate of 25 mg of caffeine, within a range of 15 to 35 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 90 to 100 °C | 4 min, 5 min, 6 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 95 to 100 °C | Rinse, then 15 s, 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 10 to 16 hours |
Up to 8 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- afternoon
- evening
- cold_weather
- after_dinner
- evening
- meditation
Pairs with nuts, cheese and dessert. Milk: no. Iced: no. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- H-ZA-001Rooibos (Red Bush)
shares sweetness and smoothness - D-CN-002Sheng Pu-erh (Aged 15+ years)
shares smoothness and sweetness - D-CN-022Liu Bao (Aged)
shares smoothness and sweetness - H-CN-069Red Date and Goji Tea
shares smoothness and sweetness - D-CN-025Hunan Fu Zhuan Brick
shares sweetness and body - D-TW-036Taiwan Aged Dark Tea
shares smoothness and sweetness
More: all white tea teas, teas from Fujian, China, or filter the whole drawer.