Title: Taste the fragrance of tea, the difference between Gong Mei and Shou Mei**.
Tea, this ancient drink comes in many varieties, each carrying a unique culture and flavor. Among the many teas, Gong Mei and Shou Mei have become the topic of conversation among tea lovers with their unique quality and history. Today, let's step into the world of these two teas and explore the subtle differences between them.
Both Gong Mei and Shou Mei belong to the white tea series, which originated in Fuding City, Fujian Province, China. What they all have in common is that they are all large white tea varieties, and the production process is similar, but they have their own advantages in terms of details, and it is these subtle differences that create the completely different flavors and qualities of the two.
First of all, from the perspective of appearance characteristics, there is a clear difference between Gong Mei and Shou Mei. The leaves of Gongmei are more slender, resembling eyebrows, and the color is grayish-green, with white hair; Shou Mei, on the other hand, is characterized by short, thick leaves, which are darker in color, mostly grayish-brown. This difference in form is just like two painters with very different styles, using their own brushstrokes to outline different artistic images.
Secondly, the subtle differences in the tea making process also lead to the change in the taste of the two. When making Gongmei, the method of natural withering is mostly used indoors, so that the water in the tea leaves slowly evaporates, and more natural aroma is retained. Therefore, the tea soup of Gongmei is usually clear and bright, with a sweet taste and a light floral aroma; In contrast, Shou Mei mostly uses sunlight withering, so that the tea leaves are quickly dehydrated in the sun, which not only deepens the color of the tea, but also makes the taste more mellow, with a certain fruity aroma and honey aroma.
In addition, Gong Mei and Shou Mei also differ in picking time. Gongmei is generally picked around the Qingming Festival in spring, when the tea leaves are moderately tender and rich in nutrients; Shou Mei is mostly picked in autumn, when the tea leaves are more ripe and the contents are richer. This point, just like picking fruits, the flavors of fruits ripened in different seasons are different, the spring Gong Mei is fresh and refreshing, and the autumn Shou Mei is more mellow and deep.
Finally, from a historical and cultural point of view, Gong Mei and Shou Mei also have their own unique stories. Gongmei is named because it was once offered to the royal family as a tribute, symbolizing dignity and elegance; Shou Mei is named because the leaves resemble the eyebrows of the elderly, implying longevity and auspiciousness. Such cultural heritage makes the two not only drinks, but also treasures with profound cultural significance.
To sum up, although Gong Mei and Shou Mei are both white teas, they have their own characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, picking time and history and culture. Gongmei is fresh and elegant, like a spring breeze; Shou Mei is known for its mellow and deep, like the warm sun of autumn. When tea lovers choose, they may wish to choose a tea that suits them according to their taste preferences and savor the various styles in it. Whether it is Gong Mei or Shou Mei, they are the treasures of tea culture, which are worth exploring and appreciating slowly.