The Race for Oriental Beauty: Bai Hao

A choice few of our teas are selected from samples following the return of our four tasters annual buying trips to Asia. This is the case with Bai Hao which is typically produced once Hugo has returned.

After many visits to Hsinchu,  the region of production of these Oriental Beauties, Hugo has forged a solid network of relationships with some select producers. This has helped both diversify our range and access the intricacies of production and transformation of these highly prized teas. With the constant expansion of the domestic economies of China and Taiwan a vast increase in the demand for such luxury products has had a strong effect on the prices of these teas.  We have seen a similar effect we have seen with white tea, black tea and Pu Er teas in recent years.  Thus the elegant Bai Hao has become the victim of its own success.The artisans that make these fine teas find their crops selling so rapidly and increasingly pre-sold before their production!

Though it would be nice to have the time to taste the selection of carefully packaged samples that are sent to our attention, it is actually a race against the clock. Sometimes our preferred lot has already vanished to a competitor. Now more experienced, we work with several sources to give us a better range of comparison. The goal remains to find a Bai Hao that is sure to please, at a reasonable price.

This year we invite you to discover two batches of Bai Hao, a solid classic and another that ranked ‘Three Flowers Grade’ in the annual Bai Hao competition, both are from the highly skilled producer Mrs. Lin.