Pai Mu Tan Lavender Latte

This velvety, creamy latte blends the smooth flavor of Pai Mu Tan tea and coconut milk with the citrusy aroma of lemon and the floral aroma of lavender. It's simply the perfect drink for a cold, cloudy afternoon.

What is Pai Mu Tan white tea?

Pai Mu Tan white tea is a Chinese tea grown in the Zhenghe region and is also known as Bai Mu San and White Peony. Pai Mu Tan is made from the young leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. Its name comes from the way its leaves unfold when infused in water, as they do so delicately, mimicking the appearance of white peony flowers.

Pai Mu Tan Flavor Profile

Like most white teas, Pai Mu Tan tea has a smooth flavor profile with honeyed notes. This Chinese tea has a fruity flavor, a soft body, and a profile that offers a taste more similar to that of mild green teas. White tea has a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with lemon and honey.

How do you prepare Pai Mu Tan?

As we saw in our Beginner's Guide to Tea, white tea should be steeped in hot water at around 75-85°C for 1 to 3 minutes. It's important to monitor both the temperature and the steeping time, as otherwise the tea may have an unpleasantly bitter taste.

You'll also be interested to know that Pai Mu Tan white tea leaves can be re-infused two to three times. If you'd like to learn how, visit our article on Re-Infusing Loose Tea .

Pai Mu Tan Recipe

At first glance, lemon may seem like a strange flavor for a latte, but you'll find it's a perfect match for a tea with milk. White tea is much less oxidized than black and green tea, so it retains its catechins, which are a great support for the immune system and help fight free radical damage to our cells.

Although this tea's caffeine content is relatively low, I recommend drinking this latte in the morning or early afternoon. We used coconut sugar to balance the citrus flavor of the lemon and add other nuances to our recipe. Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than white and brown sugar and has a flavor reminiscent of molasses and caramel.

To complete the latte, we'll add whipped coconut cream (100% vegan) and a pinch of lemon zest. If you're not sure how to make whipped coconut cream, you can learn how in this article on the Danza de Fogones blog.

Ingredients

• 100 ml of water
• 1 small spoonful of lemon juice
• 1 small spoonful of coconut sugar
• 2 small spoons of Pai Mu Tan white tea
• 200 ml of coconut milk
• Whipped cream with coconut milk
• Lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

1. Infuse the Pai Mu Tan tea for 2 minutes in water previously heated to 80°C. Remove the tea leaves.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the prepared tea, lemon juice, and coconut sugar and stir for a couple of minutes over medium heat until the coconut sugar dissolves.
3. Froth the coconut milk. You can use a frother to do this. Remember not to overheat the coconut milk, as it could become very thick. Add the frothed coconut milk.
4. Finally, add the whipped coconut cream and sprinkle with lemon zest.

We hope you enjoy your healthy Pai Mu Tan Latte!