Browse Moonlight White (14)
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Moonlight White

 
Last Updated: May. 6, 2013 

About Moonlight White

Compressed white tea cake
Bai Beeng Moonlight White from Rishi Tea
Moonlight white tea or yueguang bai cha(月光白茶) is a particular style of tea originating in China's Yunnan province. Although we classify moonlight white as a white tea, and the Chinese name contains the word white (bai/白), it is sometimes classified as Pu-erh, sometimes even classified as a black tea, and other times treated as a category of its own. Like oolong tea, moonlight white is a semi-oxidized tea, but its production process is fundamentally different from oolongs and it is typically not classified with them.

Moonlight white is sometimes sold in compressed cakes like Pu-erh, and aged like Pu-erh, although it is also sold in loose-leaf form, and consumed sooner after production. We classify this style as a white tea because its production involves withering and drying like other white teas, and its character resembles other white teas to a large degree, although its processing differs from that of other white teas in some ways.

Large tea leaves with grayish-brown color
Moonlight White Tea,
Chicago Tea Garden
Moonlight white is grown from a particular cultivar of the tea plant, of the long-leafed Assamica cultivar, that has leaves covered in silver hair. Because of the large leaf size and production method involving natural withering and air-drying, this tea tends to have greater levels of oxidation and thus a darker color than white teas made from smaller-leafed cultivars. The partial oxidation resulting from large leaf size and natural withering without heating is shared in common between this tea and other white teas such as shou mei and to a lesser degree, white peony.

The level of oxidation, and thus the color, flavor, and aroma of this tea are sensitive to moisture levels. Dry or drought conditions will result in the leaves drying out more quickly after harvest, resulting in less oxidation, reflected in a lighter color, and a fresher and "edgier" quality. Moister conditions, characteristic of most years, will result in a darker, smoother tea.

Recent Moonlight White Reviews — RSS rss icon

98 / 100
Picture of Yunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea

This tea is great! It tastes vegetabally in a good way and it has a nice fragrant aroma. It is not bitter or astringent at all. It is also a great price for how high quality and delicious it is!

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85 / 100
Picture of Yunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea

This is only the second Moonlight White tea I've ever tried; the first was from Life in Teacup. I've had this tea for nearly two years from its harvest date, but am only reviewing it now, so I've seen how it ages slightly. It seemed to change character much more quickly than a pu-erh.

The leaf is striking and unique...

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90 / 100

Half-litre pot at home. Pours clear and nearly colourless, with just a faint touch of pale straw, with no sediment. Mild aroma of white tea with barely discernible hints of some herbal spice. Delicate flavour of white tea, with mild floral and herbal notes. Smooth palate, with bitterish hints. The second cup has more c...

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80 / 100
Picture of Nightlife 2017

Nightlife 2017 from white2tea

Style: Moonlight White – Region: ?????
Feb. 9th, 2020

I wasn't feeling well lately. I think I may have caught the flu, which has been going around. I tried a remedy of tea and herbs that often helps me, but it wore of quickly. So, I felt the urge to try some of this white tea, because I remember something I was told by someone regarding white tea being considered medicine...

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86 / 100
Picture of Moonlight Dragon Ball White Tea

An amazing and sweet tea! It is not very expensive and is a very high quality tea. The ball is tightly packed and I was able to get several infusions(keep in mind you can't break up the ball easily so I would use a at least 12 oz cup and fuse for 5 minutes). The aroma isn't strong but is very nice and sweet, it smells ...

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Top Reviewers

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1Reviewer icon Alex Zorach214
2Reviewer icon marlena17
3Reviewer icon Whiskey17
4Reviewer icon ConradKay17
5Reviewer icon Mr Bamsen17

Review 2 teas to get on this list!

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Most-Rated Moonlight White

Picture of Jing Mai Moonlight White

Jing Mai Moonlight White

Brand:Life in Teacup
Style:Moonlight White
Region:Lancang, Yunnan, China
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
2 Ratings
No image of this tea

Yunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea

Brand:Yunnan Sourcing
Style:Moonlight White
Region:Jinggu, Yunnan, China
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
2 Ratings
No image of this tea

Ya Bao (Nr. 208)

Brand:Carstensens Tehandel
Style:Moonlight White
Region:Yunnan, China
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Loose
1 Rating
No image of this tea

Moonlight Dragon Ball White Tea

Brand:TeaVivre
Style:Moonlight White
Region:Jinggu, Yunnan, China
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Compressed
1 Rating
Picture of Nightlife 2017

Nightlife 2017

Brand:white2tea
Style:Moonlight White
Region:?????
Caffeine:Caffeinated
Leaf:Compressed
1 Rating

Top-Rated Moonlight White

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