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Shou Mei

寿眉

7.8/10 editor's score

White tea from later, larger leaves and tips, naturally withered. Stronger than Bai Mu Dan, often pressed and aged.

FruityGood valueAgeable
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Shou Mei, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafShou Mei
250 ml water90 to 95°C
Steep 3:002 steeps
LiquorGolden to amber
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)

At a glance

White tea from later, larger leaves and tips, naturally withered.

CaffeineLow to medium~15 to 35 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestLate springPicked after Silver Needle and Bai Mu Dan [1].
Pairs withDates, Nuts, Mild cheese, Dim sumLess good with delicate desserts
Grown atCoastal hillsFuding, Fujian
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)Porcelain bowl, lid and saucer

About Shou Mei

What sources say about the taste

Sources say Shou Mei has a stronger flavour reminiscent of lighter oolongs, and lower grades give a darker brew 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

FudingFujianCHINA
Leaf
Naturally withered upper leaf and tips 1
Regions
Mainly Fujian and Guangxi 1
Pick
Later than Bai Mu Dan 1
Grade
Traditionally the fourth grade of white tea 1

More from Fuding and China.

History and culture

Shou Mei was traditionally a by-product of Silver Needle production 1.

Editor's score

7.8/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.0Origin & heritage: 7.5Availability: 8.0Value: 9.0Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 8.0Flavour 7.0Heritage 7.5Availability 8.0Value 9.0Beginners 9.0Versatility 8.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg
Shou Mei~15 to 35 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Shou Mei is picked later in the season 1. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Da Bai (Large White) leaves 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Upper leaves and tips 1.

02Withering

Natural, long 1.

03Drying

Gentle.

04Pressing

Often pressed into cakes.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafLarger, darker green-brown leaves.
LiquorGolden to amber.
After steeping
Wet leafBroad, soft leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Dates
  • Nuts
  • Mild cheese
  • Dim sum

Best avoided

  • Delicate desserts

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Lower grades are more golden, with black and red leaves 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Good mineral water helps bring out its sweetness 1.
  2. Check storage: it should smell clean.
FAQ
Is it lower quality?

It is a lower formal grade, but a different style: fuller and fruitier 1.

Find it inWhite teasTeas from ChinaFudingFruityGood valueAgeable

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Shoumei tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoumei_tea
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.