Is Shoumei Green Tea? Why Does It Taste So Similar to Green Tea?

Tea Lover’s Inquiry: I recently bought some Shoumei tea at a tea shop. When brewed, the flavor is quite light with a strong grassy, woody aroma, and the dry tea leaves even have a greenish tint. It feels very much like green tea—is Shoumei actually green tea?

Liao Chang Xing Reply: "Is Shoumei Green Tea?"

Shoumei is not green tea; it is a type of white tea. Although Shoumei sometimes tastes similar to green tea, they differ significantly in their production processes and characteristics.

Differences Between Shoumei and Green Tea

Processing Method: After harvesting, green tea undergoes “fixation” (Shaqing), which involves high-temperature treatment to halt oxidation and preserve the leaves’ green color and fresh taste. Shoumei is not subjected to fixation after harvesting; instead, it is dried directly. This relatively simple production method allows it to retain more of the tea’s natural components.

Appearance: In addition to fixation, green tea goes through a “rolling” process, which breaks down the cellular structure of the tea stems, causing juices to coat the surface of the leaves. Shoumei skips this step, resulting in much more intact leaves.

Similarities Between Shoumei and Green Tea

Although Shoumei undergoes indoor withering, it experiences only minimal oxidation. As a result, much like non-oxidized green tea, it carries a fresh, grassy fragrance. Because of these similarities in flavor, vibrant green dry leaves, and pale green liquor, many people mistakenly believe Shoumei is a green tea.