Da Bai

The varieties grouped under the name Da Bai (large white) are part of the Xiao Ye Zhong. They find their origin in old, local varieties in the northern part of the province Fujian, where silver needle teas have been produced since the end of the 18th century; probably the oldest known white teas. At the end of the 19th century the Dabai varieties have been described as growing in the villages Fuding, Fu’an and Zhenghe, having been grown from selected local varieties. The common characteristics are large buds with a dense hair-growth on the outside of the leaf. In more recent times the Dabai varieties from Fujian (particularly Fu Ding Da Bai) have been brought to other parts of china and on the other hand new varieties have been bred from Dabai and other local plants of various regions. Interestingly, the China hybrids in India and other regions trace their ancestry back to Dabai tea plants, which have been brought to Darjeeling in the first half of the 19th century, because the large leaf varieties from Assam did not grow so well under the prevailing circumstances.

  • Fu Ding Da Bai Cha: Refers to the original variety for white teas, which was discovered in 1857 in the Taimushan Mountains and propagated via cuttings. Starting in 1885, the old local variety Fu Ding Cai Cha was increasingly replaced by Fuding Dabaicha to produce white teas with abundant down (fuzz). The cultivar was certified as a top variety in 1985 under the name Hua Cha 1 Hao (China Tea No. 1). Today, it is rarely used, almost exclusively in and around Fuding for Bai Mao Cha.

  • Fu Ding Da Bai Hao or Fu Ding Da Hao Cha: Discovered growing wild in 1880 in what is now the town of Diantou, it was then systematically cultivated. Notable features include its thick, fleshy buds, comparatively large, long leaves, and striking leaf hairiness (down). At the beginning of the 20th century, producers began using it to make white teas. In the 1950s, cuttings were planted extensively in and around Fuding, gradually replacing the old Fuding Dabaicha. Fu Ding Da Bai Hao was also increasingly planted across the rest of China. The cultivar was certified as a top variety alongside Fuding Dabaicha in 1985 under the name Hua Cha 2 Hao (China Tea No. 2). Originating from the city of Fuding in Fujian, it is used for local white teas (Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Bai Mu Dan, Xin Gong Yi Bai Cha), partly for black tea (Bai Lin Gong Fu), and for green tea (e.g., Lü Xue Ya), as well as green tea with jasmine (such as Jasmine Silver Needle). More recently, it has also been grown elsewhere, e.g., in Sichuan Province, and is used for yellow tea (e.g., Meng Ding Yellow Bud, Huang Mao Jian) and black tea (e.g., Si Chuan Gong Fu).

  • Zheng He Da Bai: Discovered in the village of Tieshan during the same era as the two Fuding Dabai varieties, it was also recognized as a top variety in 1985 under the name Hua Cha 5 Hao (China Tea No. 5). Zhenghe Dabai sprouts later than the varieties from Fuding and is darker in color. It is used in Zheng He County for local white teas (Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Bai Mu Dan), for black tea (Zheng He Gong Fu), and for green tea with jasmine (e.g., Jasmine Silver Needle).

  • Guang Nan Da Bai Cha and Guang Xi Da Bai Cha (large white tea from Guangnan and Guangxi) are newer varieties that were selected and propagated from individual Fu Ding Da Bai.

  • Fu Xuan 9 Hao and Fu Xuan 12 Hao (selected from Fu Ding Da Bai No. 9 and No. 12 respectively) are varietals bred in Fujian Province that are also used in Sichuan Province for yellow tea (e.g. Huang Mao Feng) and green tea (e.g. Zhu Ye Qing), among others.

  • Fu Ding Xiao Bai (Fuding small white): a variety originating from Fuding, possibly further bred, which is used in Mingshan in Sichuan Province for green teas (e.g. Meng Ding Gan Lu).

  • Fu Ding Xiao Ye (Fuding small leaf): selected seeds or cuttings of the original tea plants grown from seed in the mountains of Fuding, which were cultivated in another region. This newly created varietal is called Fu Ding Xiao Ye and is possibly the same variety as Fu Ding Xiao Bai.

  • Ming Shan Bai Hao: a new varietal bred from Fu Ding Da Bai and local tea plants from Sichuan, which is used primarily in Ming Shan in Sichuan Province, including for black tea (e.g. Meng Ding Hong Ya).

  • Zhong Hua 302 Hao (China No. 302): cross between Ge Lu Ji Ya 6 Hao (Georgia No. 6) from Georgia and Fu Ding Da Bai from Fujian Province. Crossed in 2010, first cultivated in Mingshan (Sichuan Province) from 2011.

  • Bi Xiang Cao (Early Jade Perfume): a cross between Yun Nan Da Ye Zhong and Fu Ding Da Bai bred in Hunan, developed from 1978-1992. Used in Hunan and Shandong Provinces for local teas.

  • E Cha 1 Hao (Hubei No. 1): a cross between Fu Ding Da Bai and Mei Zhan developed in Hubei from 1974 to 1992, used for green and black teas.