Moonlight White
Last Updated: May. 6, 2013
↑About Moonlight White
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.
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
Yunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea from Yunnan Sourcing
Style: Moonlight White – Region: Jinggu, Yunnan, ChinaMar. 10th, 2021
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!
Read Full ReviewYunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea from Yunnan Sourcing
Style: Moonlight White – Region: Jinggu, Yunnan, ChinaMar. 8th, 2021
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...
Ya Bao (Nr. 208) from Carstensens Tehandel
Style: Moonlight White – Region: Yunnan, ChinaMar. 3rd, 2020
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...
Read Full ReviewI 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...
Read Full ReviewMoonlight Dragon Ball White Tea from TeaVivre
Style: Moonlight White – Region: Jinggu, Yunnan, ChinaMay. 29th, 2018
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 ...
Read Full ReviewRead More Reviews of Moonlight White (7) ...
↑Top Reviewers
Rank | User | # | % |
1 | Alex Zorach | 2 | 14 |
2 | marlena | 1 | 7 |
3 | Whiskey | 1 | 7 |
4 | ConradKay | 1 | 7 |
5 | Mr Bamsen | 1 | 7 |
Review 2 teas to get on this list!
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↑Most-Rated Moonlight White
Jing Mai Moonlight White
Brand: | Life in Teacup |
Style: | Moonlight White |
Region: | Lancang, Yunnan, China |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Leaf: | Loose |
Yunnan Yue Guang Bai Air-Dried White Tea
Brand: | Yunnan Sourcing |
Style: | Moonlight White |
Region: | Jinggu, Yunnan, China |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Leaf: | Loose |
Ya Bao (Nr. 208)
Brand: | Carstensens Tehandel |
Style: | Moonlight White |
Region: | Yunnan, China |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Leaf: | Loose |
Moonlight Dragon Ball White Tea
Brand: | TeaVivre |
Style: | Moonlight White |
Region: | Jinggu, Yunnan, China |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Leaf: | Compressed |
Nightlife 2017
Brand: | white2tea |
Style: | Moonlight White |
Region: | ????? |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Leaf: | Compressed |