Shou Mei (“Longevity Eyebrow”) is the lowest, most mature grade in the traditional Fujian white tea hierarchy, made mostly from full leaves rather than the young buds that define higher grades.
Where Silver Needle and White Peony are picked for their youngest buds, Shou Mei is essentially what’s left after that earlier, more selective harvest: fuller, more mature leaf from the same Da Bai (“Large White”) cultivar, plucked later in the season. The finished leaf looks mostly broken and brownish, though some green leaf and buds remain visible throughout. “Lowest grade” describes the plucking standard, not the drinking experience. Well-made Shou Mei has a robust, slightly fruity flavor, a darker liquor than other white teas, and a clean, sweet, mellow character that some drinkers prefer to the more delicate styles. It also happens to be the white tea most suited to aging, and is commonly pressed into cakes for exactly that reason, since the fuller leaf and lower price point make it a practical choice for long-term storage in a way the pricier bud-only grades rarely are.
