White Peony Tea

Sharad Subba of Jasbire Tea Garden in Illam, Nepal.

Sharad has spent more than 20 years in the tea garden. Starting as a tea plucker and now a tea maker and owner of a factory, he employs 15 workers and buys green leaves from over 72 farmers. Sharad says that tea is his life. He really cannot imagine a life without it. He says, “We don’t make tea, nature does that herself. Our only job is to identify them.”

He wants to grow Jasbire Tea Garden’s impact and pass on the legacy to his young son. He believes his practice of tea to be the “Art of Tea”, that will be backed by the modern understanding of science, brought in by his son.

This is pretty much one of the simplest teas to make. However, it is considered to be one of the most delicate yet complex in terms of taste profile. White tea is generally the least processed of all teas and this is no different. Carefully crafted as a Chinese Bai Mu Dan style tea, the leaves for this white tea are carefully plucked and sun-withered for an extensively lengthy period. After that the leaves are left to rest and piled up for a very short oxidation period, followed by the drying process. This is the major reason why this tea is super delicate, reminiscent of a complex fruity undertone with a nice floral finish.

Jasbire Tea Village, Maipokhari, Nepal

White Peony is the best fit for tea lovers who enjoy light yet bright floral white teas. This particular white tea is best enjoyed cold-brewed which highlights the floral notes to its full potential.