{"product_id":"2015-fuding-gong-mei-white-tea-cake","title":"2015 Fuding Gong Mei White Tea Cake (Tribute Eyebrow)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThis traditional white tea cake is made from Gong Mei white tea leaves harvested in 2015 in Fuding, Fujian Province, the heartland of Chinese white tea production. After seven years of natural aging, the tea was compressed into a cake in 2022.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eAroma, Flavor, and Aging Character\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eAs shown in the photos taken at our tea house, the cake is evenly compressed with a moderate firmness. The dry leaves release a harmonious aroma of honey and aged herbal notes, reflecting a characteristic highly valued in aged white tea. This aromatic profile reflects a famous Chinese saying about white tea: “After three years it is tea, after five years it is medicine, and after seven years it becomes a treasure.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eOnce brewed, sweet honey-like notes emerge first, followed by a deeper aged herbal character. The two aromas complement each other beautifully without becoming overwhelming. The liquor is bright and clear, displaying an amber-orange hue. Smooth and mellow on the palate, it shows almost none of the grassy sharpness often associated with younger white teas. After swallowing, a gentle sweetness and cooling sensation linger, leaving a refreshing and persistent mouthwatering finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThis gentle richness is one of the defining characteristics of white tea aged for seven years or more. In addition to traditional brewing, this tea is also excellent for boiling. With continued heating, jujube-like sweetness and deeper layers of flavor gradually emerge, offering a different experience from standard infusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWhy Aged White Tea Is Highly Valued in China\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eIn China, where tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years, many tea enthusiasts value aged white tea even more than highly bud-rich grades such as Silver Needle. For experienced drinkers, the complexity and transformation that develop through years of natural aging are often more appealing than the tenderness of fresh buds alone.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWhat Is Gong Mei White Tea?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThis tea belongs to the Gong Mei grade, one of the most traditional categories within the Chinese white tea system. Gong Mei is traditionally classified as the third grade of white tea based on bud content. Its name is sometimes literally translated as “Tribute Eyebrow,” although the Chinese name Gong Mei is far more commonly used in the tea trade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThe Origin of the Name Gong Mei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eOne explanation for the name dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). According to legend, the name reflects the sense of comfort and satisfaction traditionally associated with drinking the tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eHistorical records from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1736–1795) provide another explanation. At that time, local officials in Fuding selected this grade of white tea as a tribute tea for the imperial court. The tea gradually became known as Gong Mei, with “Gong” referring to its historical role as a tribute tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWhite Tea Grades and Quality\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWithin the Chinese white tea tradition, however, different grades are not considered inherently superior or inferior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eSilver Needle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWhite Peony\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eGong Mei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eShou Mei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eEach possesses its own distinctive characteristics. The grading system primarily reflects harvesting standards rather than overall quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eTraditional Fuding Gong Mei Production\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eAuthentic Fuding Gong Mei is made from the tender shoots of local heirloom tea bushes known as Cai Cha. It follows the traditional white tea production method, involving no pan-firing or rolling. Instead, the leaves are naturally processed through sun withering and drying.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eOur 2015 Fuding Gong Mei White Tea Cake is a fine example of this traditional standard. Through years of clean natural aging, the tea has undergone continuous transformation, gradually developing its mature aroma and mellow character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eHow to Brew Fuding Gong Mei White Tea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eFuding white tea is remarkably forgiving when it comes to preparation. Whether brewed in a gaiwan, Yixing teapot, or even a simple mug, and whether prepared through standard infusion, extended steeping, or boiling, it consistently delivers a smooth, sweet, and satisfying cup. Many tea drinkers appreciate the smooth mouthfeel and lingering sweetness that make Fuding white tea so approachable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eCaffeine Content in Aged Gong Mei White Tea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eA common question concerns caffeine content. Like all true tea, Gong Mei naturally contains caffeine. The exact level varies depending on leaf grade, aging, and brewing method. In general, aged Gong Mei tends to feel less stimulating than many green teas and younger white teas, offering a smoother and more gentle drinking experience. This makes it well suited for drinking later in the day for those who prefer a gentler tea experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWhy Every Batch of Aged White Tea Is Unique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eBeyond its drinking qualities, aged \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(112, 32, 24);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chineseteagroup.com\/collections\/white-tea\" style=\"color: rgb(112, 32, 24);\"\u003ewhite tea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is also valued for its uniqueness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eUnlike factory-blended products, naturally aged tea is shaped by countless variables, including seasonal weather conditions, the climate on the day of harvest, the withering environment, and the gradual transformation of compounds during storage. Even teas from the same region and grade can develop differently over time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eFor this reason, genuinely aged white tea made from authentic raw material and stored under clean conditions is both a pleasure to drink and worthy of long-term appreciation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eWho Should Try This 2015 Fuding Gong Mei White Tea Cake?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eIf you enjoy the mellow character of aged teas but do not particularly favor the pronounced aged aroma often found in mature Pu-erh tea, or if you are already a fan of white tea, this 2015 Fuding Gong Mei White Tea Cake (Tribute Eyebrow) is well worth exploring, enjoying, and following as it continues to evolve over the years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eNot sure if this tea suits your taste? Try a sample and follow our brewing guide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(112, 32, 24);\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.chineseteagroup.com\/products\/2015-fuding-gong-mei-white-tea-cake-sample\" style=\"color: rgb(112, 32, 24);\"\u003eTry Sample \u0026amp; View Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chinese Tea Group","offers":[{"title":"Whole Cake (350 g)","offer_id":51580914827497,"sku":"010602-350g-2606","price":289.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0734\/7549\/0025\/files\/2015-fuding-gong-mei-white-tea-cake-tribute-eyebrow-main-image.jpg?v=1784965958","url":"https:\/\/www.chineseteagroup.com\/de\/products\/2015-fuding-gong-mei-white-tea-cake","provider":"Chinese Tea Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}