In brief: White Monkey 1st Grade Deluxe Green Tea, organic, a Chinese grand cru with silver buds. Floral notes, the gentle sweetness of vegetal nougat. Brewing: 60-65°C, 2 minutes, 12-15g/L.
Among the grand crus and rare teas in our collection, the White Monkey 1st Grade Deluxe holds a place of its own. This exceptional organic green tea comes from the mist-wrapped mountains of Fujian, China. Its poetic name calls to mind the long silver buds that make up the leaf, reminiscent of the white monkey's paws.
Hand-picked at the very start of spring, this harvest belongs to the Bai Mao Hou family. It is defined by its whole-leaf character and silky down. The picking is exacting: only the youngest buds and the first leaf are selected.
Julien Huot, founder of our house, chose this lot for its pure vegetal clarity and crystalline softness. Explore our selection of rare teas to continue your journey through exceptional leaves.
The aromatic profile of White Monkey 1st Grade Deluxe
The dry leaf, long and silky, reveals a pale green hue lifted by its characteristic silver down. On the nose, the buds release a tender fragrance of white blossom and fresh almond, an invitation of pure delicacy, with no bitterness or harsh green edge.
In the cup, the liquor takes on a very pale, almost crystalline yellow. The first sip offers a gentle, silky, almost milky entry. The top notes evoke fresh pea, spring blossom, and a whisper of zest.
The mid-palate unfolds the vegetal nougat sweetness that is the hallmark of Bai Mao Hou teas. A floral caress lingers, evoking orchid and jasmine, yet no aroma has been added: this refinement is entirely natural, born of Fujian's terroir and the skill of its artisans.
The finish, long and clean, leaves a vegetal freshness and a gentle minerality that draws you back for the next sip. No astringency, no trace of bitterness. This is what sets a true Deluxe grade apart from a more common green tea.
This rare profile makes it a grand cru to savour on its own, without food pairing. If you are drawn to this delicate signature, you will also love our Lung Ching Superior green tea, another jewel of the Chinese tradition.
How to brew White Monkey 1st Grade Deluxe
Getting the best from this grand cru comes down to precision. The buds are fragile, and their delicacy reveals itself at low temperature. Water that is too hot will scorch the leaf and introduce a bitterness entirely foreign to its character.
The water: use a low-mineral spring water at 60 to 65°C. If you do not have a temperature-controlled kettle, bring the water to a boil then let it cool for 4 to 5 minutes before pouring it over the leaf.
The quantity: use 12 to 15 grams per litre, roughly a heaped tablespoon for a 300 ml teapot. The buds are bulky but light, so a visually generous measure is needed.
The time: steep for 2 minutes on the first infusion, no longer. The whole leaf holds up to two or three successive infusions; simply extend the time slightly each time (2 min 30, then 3 min).
The vessel: choose a glass or white porcelain teapot, which will not interfere with this cru's delicate profile. Glass also lets you watch the silver buds as they dance in the water, a spectacle unique to whole-leaf teas.
Avoid cast-iron teapots, which are too assertive for such a subtle tea, and paper filters, which hold back the finest aromas. A simple fine-mesh strainer, or better still, a free infusion directly in the teapot, will let every note come through.
To explore other brewing methods, our guide to hojicha, genmaicha and gyokuro offers a broader perspective on approaches suited to exceptional green teas.
Storing your White Monkey
Store this grand cru in its original tin, sealed tightly, away from light, moisture and strong odours. A closed cupboard at room temperature, away from the hob and spices, is all it needs.
The silver buds retain their aromatic freshness for 12 to 18 months after opening, provided these simple precautions are followed. Avoid the refrigerator: the condensation it creates will dampen the characteristic floral notes of this cru.
To continue discovering precious whole-leaf teas, savour our organic Shincha Miyazaki, another exceptional harvest packaged in our workshop with the same care.
Frequently asked questions
What is White Monkey green tea?
White Monkey, or Bai Mao Hou, is a Chinese grand cru made up entirely of long silver buds and young leaves, hand-picked in spring. Its name refers to the white monkey's paws, a nod to the silky down that covers the buds.
How do you brew White Monkey tea?
Steep 12 to 15 grams per litre in water at 60-65°C for 2 minutes. A glass or porcelain teapot is ideal for preserving its delicate profile. The whole leaf holds up to two or three successive infusions.
What are the benefits of White Monkey tea?
This cru is above all a sensory pleasure: its floral softness, vegetal nougat and crystalline liquor make it a moment of pure contemplation. Our article on the antioxidant properties of green tea explores the subject further for the curious.
Where can I buy White Monkey tea?
Thés & Traditions offers this organic 1st Grade Deluxe, selected by Julien Huot directly from a garden in Fujian. The buds are packaged in our workshop to preserve their freshness right up to the moment of tasting.
Where does White Monkey tea come from?
This tea comes from China, specifically from the mountains of Fujian, a region renowned for its fine green and white teas. The high-altitude gardens, wrapped in mist, give the bud ideal conditions to develop its silver down and floral notes.
To continue exploring exceptional green grand crus, discover more about Mao Feng Hua Hai green tea, another singular harvest from our selection.
