Description

Shou mei | The Ultimate Daily Drinker | Organic White Tea (Shouning, Fujian)

This is the white tea I drink most. Not the most expensive one. The easiest one. Shou Mei is organic, sun-withered, and from the same Shouning plots as our other white teas. Brew it hot or cold. Forget it in the mug for an hour. It still tastes fine.

What Is Shou Mei White Tea?

Shou Mei  is a Chinese white tea. We pick the third and fourth open leaves from Fuding Dabai cultivar bushes in Shouning, Fujian. The leaves sun-wither on bamboo trays for 60 to 72 hours. No machine heat. No rolling. Just sun, air, and time.

That long outdoor wither gives Shou Mei its amber color and a hay-and-date flavor. The 2025 lot I have on my desk tastes like cut grass in August, with a sweet finish.

Shou Mei is the most affordable white tea we sell. It is also the most forgiving. That is why we call it the workhorse of our spring lineup.

How the leaves are processed

Pluck the third and fourth leaves. Spread them on bamboo trays. Set the trays outdoors in direct sun. Wait 60 to 72 hours. The leaves turn pale brown. They feel dry to the touch.

The bushes are the Fuding Dabai cultivar. This is the standard large-leaf variety for Chinese white tea. You can read more on the Wikipedia Fuding Tea cultivar page and in the official Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences tea research guides.

What Does Shou Mei Taste Like?

Young Shou Mei tastes like cut hay. Add a hint of dried longan and a soft honey sweetness. Cold-brewed Shou Mei tastes clean and lightly sweet. No bitterness, even at fridge temperature.

Aged Shou Mei tastes different. After 3 years, the hay notes fade. A darker, almost woody note shows up. Think dried dates, walnut skin, and a faint cocoa edge.

I tasted a 2018 lot last month. The cup had gone nearly black. The flavor was deep, earthy, almost like a Shou Mei pu’er. Still good. Just a different tea.

How Do You Brew Shou Mei Tea?

This tea works three ways. Pick the one that fits your day.

Western (Teapot or Mug)

1. Use 3 to 4 grams of leaf per 250 ml of water.
2. Heat water to 200°F (95°C).
3. Steep 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Re-steep 3 to 4 more times. Add 30 seconds each round.

Gongfu (Gaiwan or Small Pot)

1. Use 5 grams of leaf in a 100 ml gaiwan.
2. Water at 195°F (90°C).
3. First steep: 15 seconds. Pour out fully.
4. Add 5 to 10 seconds per round. You will get 7 to 9 infusions.

Cold Brew (Fridge)

1. Use 5 to 7 grams of leaf per 1 L of cold filtered water.
2. Steep 8 to 12 hours in the fridge.
3. Strain and keep the jar cold for 2 to 3 days.

Is Shou Mei High in Caffeine?

No. It is at the lower end of caffeine for tea. According to the USDA FoodData Central database, a typical 8 oz cup of white tea has 30 to 50 mg of caffeine. The same size coffee has about 95 mg.

The leaves also has L-theanine, an amino acid that may soften the caffeine effect. There is research on this in the NIH PubMed database on L-theanine and caffeine combination effects.

I cold-brew a liter at night. I drink it through the next afternoon. I sleep fine. If you are very sensitive, use 5 g per liter and stick to mornings.

How Long Does Shou Mei White Tea Last?

White tea does not expire like food does. Store it in an airtight tin, in a dark cupboard, at room temperature. It will age 5 to 10 years. The flavor changes as it ages.

Do not refrigerate. Condensation on cold leaves will ruin them. Keep them away from sunlight, heat, and strong odors like spices or coffee.

Where Is Shou Mei Grown?

This tea comes from Shouning County, in the mountains of northeastern Fujian. The farms sit at 900 to 1,200 meters elevation. The 2025 harvest came from plots at 914 m (3,000 ft).

Shouning is a well-documented white tea region. You can read more in the Shouning County Wikipedia page and the regional National Tea Industry Technology System updates.

The combination of altitude, mist, and a large day-night temperature swing makes the leaves grow slowly. That slow growth is what gives Shou Mei its density and flavor.

Who Should Drink Shou Mei?

This is the tea to keep on the counter all the time.

• Commute mug drinkers: Brew 4 g in a thermos. It still tastes good at 11 a.m.
• First-time white tea drinkers: Shou Mei is hard to mess up. Use hot water, steep 4 minutes, drink.
• Long-term tea cellaring: If you want a white tea that changes over 5 years, this is it.

If you like Shou Mei and want something brighter, try our Silver Needle white tea.

Quick FAQ

Is Shou Mei good for cold brew? Yes. Cold brew is one of its best uses. Use 5 to 7 g per liter. Steep 8 to 12 hours in the fridge. The cup is clean, lightly sweet, and never bitter.

Does Shou Mei have antioxidants? Shou Mei, like other minimally processed white teas, contains catechins and other polyphenols. According to the NIH PubMed database on white tea catechins, minimally processed teas retain high polyphenol levels. These statements reflect general research and are not medical claims.

Is Shou Mei safe during pregnancy? White tea has caffeine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends keeping total daily caffeine intake under 200 mg per day during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your situation.

How long can I keep this tea, and does it expire? White tea is famous for its aging potential! Unlike green tea, Shou mei does not expire quickly. When stored in a cool, dark, and dry place in an airtight container, its profile will actually improve with age. The fresh floral notes will deepen into complex, comforting flavors resembling warm wood and dark syrup.

E-E-A-T Statement (Author & Reviewer Disclosure)

Author & Reviewer Disclosure: This article was written by the founder and head tea buyer at minteashop, drawing on 8 years of hands-on experience sourcing authentic white tea directly from Fujian farmers. The 2025 Shouning Shou Mei described above was personally cupped and selected at origin during our 2025 spring sourcing trip. Health-related claims about caffeine and L-theanine are based on general published research and are not medical advice.