Vilgain White Monkey Green Tea - a delicate green tea made from young leaves and buds with a high percentage of white tips

Vilgain White Monkey (Bai Mao Hou) is a higher grade of Chinese green tea that comes from the mountain tea gardens of Guangxi Province. It is harvested by hand in early spring and is prepared from the youngest, yet undeveloped leaves and tender buds of the Camellia sinensis tea plant. It is characterised by its high proportion of white fluffy tips, which give it a delicate, sweet taste with notes of fruit, herbs and nuttiness.

A rare tea with a legend

According to Chinese legend, mountain monkeys used to collect tea for the local monks - hence the name 'White Monkey'. In reality, however, it refers to the shape of the finely rolled leaves, which, when dried, resemble small monkey paws. Harvesting is very laborious and only takes place during the short period of early spring when the buds are highest in amino acids and antioxidants.

Traditional processing

The harvesting and production of White Monkey requires extreme precision. After harvesting, the leaves are left to wilt, heated slightly to stop oxidation and shaped by hand into a gently curved form. They are then slowly dried at a low temperature to ensure the tea retains its characteristic white fluffiness, fresh aroma and delicate flavour.

Harmonious taste with a fruity profile

Unlike teas like Gunpowder, which is rolled into balls and has a stronger, more pronounced flavour, White Monkey is gently rolled and offers a delicate profile with a sweetish hint. It is ideal for those who want to enjoy a cup of tea at any time of the day. It can also be prepared as a fine iced tea.

A rich source of natural substances

The young leaves and buds of White Monkey contain L‑theanine, which promotes relaxation. The delicate white hairs, called trichomes, contain aromatic oils that release subtle floral and herbal notes when infused.

Recommended preparation

Use 7 g of tea per 500 ml of water at a temperature of 75–80 °C and steep for 1–2 minutes. Can be steeped repeatedly.

For iced tea: prepare the tea as usual, then cool quickly to preserve the delicate flavors.

Vilgain White Monkey green tea in points:

• A higher grade of Chinese green tea from Guangxi Province.
• hand‑picked from the youngest buds and delicate leaves
• limited spring harvest - short harvest period for maximum quality
• Traditional processing to preserve aroma, flavour and nutrients
• high proportion of white fluffy tips - delicate, sweet flavour
• containing L‑theanine
• also suitable for iced tea