W-CN-003

Shou Mei

寿眉

Coarse leaf white, from Fujian, China.

White tea

Shou Mei is strongest on body, smoothness and sweetness. Typical tasting words: cut hay, dry wood, apricot, honey, raisin. Traditionally plucked later in the season using mature leaves, it was prized as an affordable and deeply soothing everyday tea. A mainstay in Cantonese dim sum restaurants and commonly compressed into cakes to age for medicinal home remedies.

Also known as Shoumei, Longevity Eyebrow and Sowmee.

Compare

The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness3bitterness1astringency2umami0brightness1body4smoothness4aroma intensity3finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral1fruity3vegetal0marine0nutty1toasty1malty1honey2spicy0woody2earthy1smoky0creamy0citrus0stone fruit2tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Fujian, China
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Fuding Dabaicha or Caowu
Harvest: late spring to autumn
Elevation: low
Oxidation: 15 to 25%
Roast: unroasted
Leaf: broken
Price band: affordable
Availability: everywhere
Ageing: made for ageing
Forgiving to brew: 5 of 5
L-theanine: low

Made by: plucking, then sun and indoor withering, then drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Shou Mei 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	85 to 95 °C	3 min, 4 min, 6 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	5 g	90 to 95 °C	20 s, 25 s, 40 s, 60 s, 90 s, 2 min
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 14 hours

Up to 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

afternoon
evening
midday
relaxing
after_meal

Pairs with dim_sum, pastry and poultry. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.