White tea · Yue Guang Bai
Yunnan Moonlight White
月光白, Yue Guang Bai
7.5/10 editor's score
A Yunnan white tea with striking two-tone leaves, black on top and silver below. Said to be dried by moonlight, hence the name.
Based on published sources, not yet tasted.
What you need
At a glance
A Yunnan white tea with striking two-tone leaves, black on top and silver below.
About Yunnan Moonlight White
What sources say about the taste
Sources list Yue Guang Bai, "moonlight white", among white teas and say it is supposedly dried under the moonlight 1.
First sip
Lift the cup and smell before you drink.
Middle
Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.
Finish
What stays after you swallow.
Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.
Where it grows
- Region
- Southwest Yunnan, where its plant mainly grows 2
- Name
- "Moonlight white" 1
- Legend
- Said to be dried under moonlight 1
- Plant
- Camellia taliensis, "Yunnan large leaf" 2
More from Southwest Yunnan and China.
History and culture
Yue Guang Bai is a white tea made from Camellia taliensis, a wild relative of the tea plant that is farmed widely in Yunnan 2.
Editor's score
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 →
Taste profile and caffeine+
Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.
Caffeine
Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.
Harvest calendar+
Picked in spring. Tap a month or a season.
Cultivars and plant+
Camellia taliensis, also called Yunnan large leaf or Dali tea. It grows mainly in south-west Yunnan and nearby Thailand and Myanmar 2.
How it is made+
Dry leaf and liquor+
The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.
Food pairings and storage+
Works well
- Fruit
- Honey cake
- Mild cheese
Best avoided
- Very spicy food
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+
Loose and pressed versions exist.
How to spot a poor or fake one
- Look for clear two-tone leaves.
- Pressed cakes keep well.
FAQ+
Is it really dried by moonlight?
That is the legend: sources say it is supposedly dried under the moonlight rather than the sun 1.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "White tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tea
- Wikipedia, "Camellia taliensis". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_taliensis
- 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.