Gongmei Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel – Chen Pi Tea Cakes
Mellow honeyed apricot, fragrant aged tangerine peel and a beautifully rounded finish. Discover our Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow) Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel, a distinctive Chinese white tea blend combining mature Gongmei leaves with aromatic Chen Pi, pressed into convenient individual tea cakes.
This traditional pairing brings together the gentle sweetness of aged white tea and the warm, fragrant character of dried tangerine peel. The result is a smooth, comforting infusion with notes of dried fruit, mellow citrus, earthy hay and soft herbal depth.
Gongmei is a Chinese white tea style valued for its fuller leaf character and ability to develop a rounded flavour over time. As the tea matures, its fresh, leafy qualities can give way to deeper honeyed, fruity and herbal impressions.
Chen Pi adds a complementary citrus dimension. Unlike the sharp zest of a fresh orange, aged tangerine peel offers a more mellow, layered fragrance with subtle woody and herbal nuances.
Pressed into compact tea cakes, this blend is easy to portion, store and brew. Each cake gradually opens in hot water, releasing the flavours of white tea and tangerine peel over successive infusions.
Whether you're discovering aged white tea for the first time or looking for a distinctive addition to your Gongfu collection, this is a rewarding blend to enjoy slowly.
Tea Name: Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow) Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel
Chinese Tea Style: Gong Mei (贡眉)
Tea Category: Aged White Tea with Chen Pi
White Tea Origin: Fujian, China
Citrus Origin: Guangdong, China
Ingredients: Gongmei White Tea and Aged Tangerine Peel
Format: Compressed Individual Tea Cakes
Aroma: Aged Citrus, Honeyed Fruit and Gentle Herbs
Flavour: Honeyed Apricot, Dried Tangerine Peel and Earthy Hay
Body: Mellow and Rounded
Finish: Naturally Sweet with Lingering Citrus
Water Temperature: 90–95°C
Western Brewing: 2–3 Minutes
Gongfu Brewing: 10–20 Seconds Initially
Multiple Infusions: Approximately 6–8 or More, Depending on Brewing
Pack Options: 10, 20 or 30 Tea Cakes
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine
Why Choose Gongmei White Tea with Chen Pi?
This tea combines two complementary ingredients in a practical compressed format. The aged Gongmei provides body and mellow sweetness, while the Chen Pi introduces fragrant citrus complexity.
-
Aged Gongmei white tea: A smooth, rounded tea base with honeyed and gently herbal character.
-
Real Chen Pi: Aged dried tangerine peel adds warm citrus fragrance rather than artificial flavouring.
-
Honeyed apricot notes: Soft fruit sweetness balances the deeper herbal flavours.
-
Traditional compressed format: Compact tea cakes are convenient to store and portion.
-
Multiple infusions: Explore changing layers of tea sweetness and citrus aroma.
-
Versatile brewing: Suitable for a conventional teapot or Gongfu preparation.
-
Three pack options: Choose 10, 20 or 30 cakes to suit your tea routine.
Its balance of mellow white tea and aromatic citrus makes it an appealing choice for drinkers who enjoy rich flavour without the roasted character of oolong or the earthy intensity of ripe Puer.
What Is Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow) White Tea?
Gongmei (贡眉) is a traditional Chinese white tea style. Its English translation, Tribute Eyebrow, refers to the name used for this category of tea.
Unlike Silver Needle, which focuses on unopened buds, Gongmei generally contains more developed leaf material. This gives it a fuller, more substantial character that can work particularly well in compressed tea cakes.
White tea is made through relatively restrained processing, primarily withering and drying. The leaves are not deliberately fully oxidised in the manner of conventional black tea.
With appropriate storage, white tea may develop a deeper and mellower flavour. Gongmei is especially enjoyable when its gentle herbal qualities are balanced by natural sweetness.
Our aged Gongmei forms the foundation of this blend, contributing honeyed apricot, dried-fruit sweetness and earthy hay notes.
What Is Chen Pi Tangerine Peel?
Chen Pi (陈皮) is dried citrus peel, traditionally made from mandarin-type fruit and associated with Chinese food and tea culture.
As the peel ages under suitable conditions, its fragrance can become less sharply citrusy and more rounded, developing warm, woody and herbal characteristics.
In this blend, the Chen Pi is a real ingredient. It brings aromatic tangerine flavour to the infusion, complementing the honeyed sweetness of the aged white tea.
Rather than tasting like a sweet orange-flavoured drink, Gongmei with Chen Pi offers a more nuanced combination of dried citrus, fruit, hay and gentle herbal depth.
The peel can release flavour at a different rate from the compressed tea leaves, making repeated infusions particularly interesting.
What Does Gongmei Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel Taste Like?
The flavour begins with a mellow, naturally sweet white tea base. Notes of honeyed apricot and dried fruit give the infusion warmth, while aged citrus peel adds an aromatic lift.
Earthy hay and gentle herbal undertones provide balance, creating a cup that feels rounded rather than sharply fruity.
| Characteristic |
Tasting Notes |
| Dry Aroma |
Dried tangerine peel, mellow herbs and fruit |
| Infused Aroma |
Honeyed apricot and warm aged citrus |
| Opening Flavour |
Soft, rounded Gongmei sweetness |
| Fruit Notes |
Apricot and dried fruit |
| Citrus Character |
Fragrant aged tangerine peel |
| Herbal Notes |
Earthy hay and gentle herbal depth |
| Mouthfeel |
Smooth and mellow |
| Finish |
Lingering sweet citrus |
Honey and apricot are natural tasting descriptions, not added ingredients. The tangerine flavour comes from genuine dried citrus peel.
Why Is This White Tea Pressed into Cakes?
Compressing tea leaves into small cakes is a practical way to create convenient portions while retaining the traditional appeal of pressed Chinese tea.
Our Gongmei and Chen Pi blend comes in individual compact cakes, rather than as a large brick or loose-leaf mixture.
The cakes take up little storage space and can be prepared without needing to break apart a larger compressed tea.
During brewing, the pressed material gradually loosens, allowing the leaves and peel to release their flavour.
The first infusion may be relatively delicate as the cake begins to open. Later infusions can reveal more of the white tea's sweetness and the Chen Pi's citrus aroma.
For the best result, allow the cake enough space to expand and avoid forcing it apart unnecessarily.
How to Brew Gongmei White Tea with Tangerine Peel
This tea is particularly suited to repeated infusions. Begin with water at 90–95°C and adjust the brewing time according to the strength you enjoy.
Western-Style Brewing
- Warm your teapot or infuser with a little hot water.
- Add a suitable portion of the compressed tea cake, including both Gongmei and Chen Pi.
- Pour over approximately 200–250ml of water at 90–95°C.
- Steep for 2–3 minutes.
- Strain completely and enjoy.
- Reinfuse the same tea, increasing the steeping time as the flavour becomes lighter.
Because the individual cake weight is not stated, adjust the amount of tea to your teapot size and preferred strength. A starting ratio of approximately 3–5g per 200–250ml works well for many compressed white tea blends.
Gongfu Brewing – Recommended
- Warm a 100–120ml gaiwan or small teapot.
- Add approximately 5g of the Gongmei and Chen Pi blend.
- Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
- Give the tea a brief rinse if desired, then discard the water.
- Begin with an infusion of approximately 10–20 seconds.
- Pour off completely and taste.
- Continue with fresh water, increasing the time gradually.
As the compressed tea opens, the balance between white tea sweetness and aged citrus may change. The listing recommends approximately six to eight or more infusions, depending on preparation.
| Method |
Water |
Time |
| Western |
200–250ml at 90–95°C |
2–3 minutes |
| Gongfu |
100–120ml at 90–95°C |
10–20 seconds initially |
| Further Infusions |
Fresh hot water |
Increase gradually |
Brewing tip: If the first infusion seems light, allow the compressed cake to open before increasing the steeping time. Avoid oversteeping early infusions, as the citrus peel can become more assertive.
Gongmei with Tangerine Peel vs Three Treasures White Tea
Both teas pair aged white tea with aromatic Chen Pi, but their composition and presentation are different.
Gongmei Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel combines Gongmei and Chen Pi in compact pressed tea cakes. It offers honeyed apricot, dried citrus and mellow herbal notes.
Three Treasures White Tea combines aged Shou Mei with Chen Pi and a natural rice-stalk tie, forming distinctive bundles rather than pressed cakes.
Our 8-Year-Old Three Treasures Chen Pi White Tea has a richer aged-mandarin character, with dried fruit, honey and gentle caramel notes.
For a brighter alternative, explore the 3-Year-Old Three Treasures White Tea.
Choose Gongmei for its compact cake format and balanced apricot-citrus flavour. Choose Three Treasures if you enjoy traditional hand-tied bundles and want to compare different ageing styles.
Gongmei with Chen Pi vs Plain Gongmei White Tea
Plain Gongmei allows the natural character of white tea to take centre stage. Depending on its age, it may offer honey, dried fruit, herbs and gentle woody notes.
Adding Chen Pi introduces another aromatic dimension, giving the infusion a distinctive dried-tangerine fragrance and warm citrus finish.
If you want to explore Gongmei without citrus, discover our 2020 Gongmei White Tea Slices, pressed into convenient portions of approximately 5g.
Tasting the two styles side by side is an enjoyable way to understand how a single additional ingredient can transform a white tea's aroma and finish.
Who Will Enjoy This Tea?
Gongmei with Chen Pi is a lovely choice for anyone who appreciates mellow, naturally sweet tea with a distinctive citrus fragrance.
It is particularly appealing to drinkers who find fresh white tea a little too delicate and prefer something with more depth.
The compressed cake format also makes it convenient for people who enjoy traditional Gongfu brewing or want to explore multiple infusions without preparing a large quantity of loose leaves.
Enjoy it plain to appreciate the balance of honeyed fruit, aged tangerine and gentle herbal warmth. Its mellow character also pairs well with shortbread, dried fruit and lightly sweet pastries.
Because the blend contains genuine white tea leaves, it naturally contains caffeine.
Ingredients and Storage
Ingredients: Gongmei white tea (Camellia sinensis) and aged dried tangerine peel (Chen Pi).
No added honey or apricot. These are tasting notes associated with the tea's natural flavour.
Store the tea cakes in a clean, dry, odour-free environment away from direct sunlight, moisture and excessive heat.
Keep the cakes protected from condensation and strongly scented foods. Reseal the packaging after opening to help preserve the fragrance of the tea and citrus peel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gongmei white tea?
Gongmei, also known as Tribute Eyebrow, is a traditional Chinese white tea style with a mellow, gently herbal character that can become richer with ageing.
What is Chen Pi?
Chen Pi is aged dried citrus peel, traditionally made from mandarin-type fruit. It contributes a fragrant, mellow tangerine flavour to the blend.
Does this tea contain real tangerine peel?
Yes. The tea combines Gongmei white tea with genuine aged dried tangerine peel.
What does it taste like?
Expect honeyed apricot, dried citrus, mellow fruit sweetness and earthy hay, with gentle herbal depth.
How many tea cakes are included?
Choose from packs containing 10, 20 or 30 individual tea cakes.
How do I brew the tea cakes?
Use water at 90–95°C. Steep for 2–3 minutes in a conventional teapot, or begin with 10–20-second infusions using Gongfu preparation.
Can I brew the same tea more than once?
Yes. The blend is suitable for repeated infusions. Approximately six to eight or more may be possible, depending on the tea quantity and brewing method.
Is this the same as Three Treasures tea?
No. This product is a compressed blend of Gongmei and Chen Pi. Three Treasures includes Shou Mei, Chen Pi and a rice-stalk tie.
Does it contain caffeine?
Yes. Gongmei is made from the tea plant Camellia sinensis and naturally contains caffeine.
Discover the Mellow Sweetness of Gongmei and Aged Tangerine Peel
Our Gongmei Aged White Tea with Tangerine Peel combines the gentle richness of traditional Chinese white tea with the fragrant warmth of genuine Chen Pi.
Pressed into convenient individual cakes, it offers a smooth infusion with honeyed apricot, dried citrus, earthy hay and a naturally sweet finish.
Enjoy it through multiple Gongfu infusions, prepare a comforting pot to share or compare it with other aged white teas in our collection.
For a pure Gongmei experience, discover our 2020 Gongmei White Tea Slices.
For a different aged white tea and citrus combination, explore our 8-Year-Old Three Treasures Chen Pi White Tea.
Browse more traditional Chinese white teas in our White Tea Collection.
Choose your 10, 20 or 30-cake pack and enjoy the fragrant balance of aged Gongmei white tea and tangerine peel.
Discover the History Behind Your Tea
History of Compressed Tea:
Ancient Tea Bricks & Cakes
For centuries, Chinese tea was pressed
into beautiful cakes and bricks,
carried along ancient trading routes
and even exchanged as currency.
Discover the fascinating history
of compressed tea, from the Tang
dynasty to today's traditional
Puer tea cakes.
Read the Full Story →