Organic White Peony Tea (Bai Mu Dan)

White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) is a classic white tea made from tender buds and the first young leaves of the tea plant. Ours is organic loose leaf White Peony: fuller and more flavorful than bud-only white teas, with soft floral notes, a gentle honey-like sweetness, light vegetal undertones and a clean finish. It is gently caffeinated and lovely hot or lightly chilled.

• Size: 1 oz of loose leaf tea.
• Ingredient: Organic White Peony white tea (Camellia sinensis), buds and young leaves.
• Caffeine: Contains caffeine, usually less than black tea.
• Brew: 1–2 teaspoons per 8 oz of water at 175–185°F (not boiling). Steep 2–4 minutes, then strain.

What Is White Peony Tea?

White Peony, or Bai Mu Dan, is one of the traditional white teas of Fujian province in China. It is made from a leaf bud plus the first one or two young leaves, picked in spring. Despite the name, there are no peony flowers in it; the name describes the way the pale buds and green leaves open in the cup like petals.

Like all white tea, it is the least processed of teas: the leaves are simply withered and gently dried, with no rolling or firing. Because it includes leaves as well as buds, White Peony has more body and flavor than Silver Needle, which is made from buds alone. For more on the styles, read What Is White Tea?

Meet Our White Peony

The dry tea is a loose, fluffy mix of silvery buds and soft green and brown leaves. Brewed, it pours a clear pale-gold cup with a sweet, fresh, floral aroma. The flavor is smooth, with soft floral notes, a gentle honey-like sweetness and light vegetal undertones, finishing clean with no bitterness. Packed to order in a 1 oz size.

How To Brew White Peony

Hot: heat water to 175–185°F, or let boiling water rest for about 3 minutes. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz (the leaves are bulky, so be generous) and steep 2 to 4 minutes, then strain. White Peony re-steeps well: add a minute for each of two or three more cups.

Lightly chilled: cold brew 2 tablespoons in 32 oz of cold water in the fridge for 6 to 8 hours, then strain. It makes a naturally sweet, floral iced tea.

Does White Peony Tea Have Caffeine?

Yes. White Peony is made from the tea plant, so it contains caffeine, usually less than black tea. The exact amount varies with how much tea you use and how long you steep it; cooler water and shorter steeps give a gentler cup. For no caffeine at all, try one of our caffeine-free herbal teas.

White Peony vs. Our Other White Teas

• White Peony – buds and young leaves: fuller, floral and honeyed.
• Organic Silver Needle (Yin Zhen) – buds only: the most delicate, silky and sweet.
• White Tea – our everyday white tea for a simple, gentle cup.

Browse them all in our loose leaf white tea collection.

Who White Peony Is Best For

• Anyone new to white tea who wants more flavor than a bud-only tea.
• Green tea drinkers looking for something softer and sweeter.
• Fans of floral teas such as jasmine or Tie Guan Yin.
• People who want a gentle afternoon cup with less caffeine than black tea.
• Anyone who enjoys re-steeping the same leaves through the day.