Gong Mei White Tea 2020

Gong Mei (Gong Mei 贡眉)is a Fujian white tea made from buds and larger leaves of the tea plant. The name translates to "Tribute Eyebrow" — a reference to the leaf shape and its history as a tribute tea during the Qing Dynasty. With fewer buds than White Peony or Silver Needles, Gong Mei has its own character: a brisk, hay-like quality with a subtle sweetness that many white tea drinkers enjoy for everyday drinking.

This 2020 harvest has had a few years to settle, which gives it a smoother edge than when it was fresh. It's one of the more approachable white teas we carry — the flavour is clear and clean without much complexity to navigate, which makes it a good starting point if you're new to white tea.

How it tastes

Brisk and clean with a fresh hay-like note. There's a mild sweetness that comes through as the tea cools. The body is light but not thin. This is the kind of white tea that works well throughout the afternoon — easy drinking, not demanding.

One of our customers, Liam, bought this as his first white tea from our Hobart Tea Shop. He described the flavour as making him "feel like laying on a grass field on a sunny day." That captures Gong Mei well — it's easygoing in a way that doesn't demand anything from you.

A note from Joanne: "Gong Mei is the white tea I suggest when someone asks 'where should I start?' It's less delicate than Silver Needles and less complex than aged white tea — just a clean, naturally sweet tea that works well in the afternoon. Several customers have told us the natural sweetness surprised them because they were expecting something more 'plain'. I find it brews nicely in a glass teapot where you can watch the leaves unfurl."

Available at our Salamanca Tea Bar — come try before you buy.

Tea profile

Taste: Brisk, fresh hay, delicate sweetness
Type: White Tea
Origin: Panxi town, Fuding, Fujian, China
Oxidation: 5-10% — minimally oxidized
TCM Property: Cool (凉性) — gentle, becoming more neutral with age
Ingredients: 100% loose tea leaves
Harvest: Spring 2020
No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

Brewing instructions

Western brewing: 1.5g per 250ml teapot. 85–90°C water. Steep 3 minutes — up to 3 infusions.

Gongfu brewing: 5g per 150ml gaiwan or teapot. Pre-warm the vessel. 95°C water, steep 40 seconds for the first 3 infusions, add 10 seconds from the fourth. Up to 6 infusions.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. White tea stores well if kept dry — this 2020 harvest will continue to mellow over time.

Pairs well with our Glass Teapot . If you enjoy this, our Wild White Peony 2025 ($29) takes things up a notch with a higher bud ratio.