Which of these White Peony white teas were made for export to the West, at low prices (roughly 1/3), and from Guangxi? Can’t tell? At very close look, I can tell, but the taste gives it away. The palate is the ultimate judge, above any claims from anyone. But that means one has to have a frame of reference for what is true white tea (or true any other tea). Mr. Lin says few local professional tea buyers would ever be fooled, and at the prices that the Western importers demand, they can only get a version from Guangxi. They do disclose that fact if asked. I bet no one does. There is even white tea from Vietnam in the West. But some of us live and die by specificity of terroir and maker, and the truth is always paramount above business dealings. Mr. Lin was highly amused with the faces I was making today- he intentionally trotted out a bunch of fakes to test my reaction. Not knowing it was pop quiz time, I didn’t want to offend, but every face said- WTF…. Mr. Lin smirked and was very entertained. I must have passed with flying colors, because at the end, he brought out the small batch of sublime Bailin Gongfu. And Guangxi, folks, is very far away from Fuding, Fujian, home of white tea. But not as far as Vietnam.
