福建白芽奇兰茶，作为中国乌龙茶中的精品，其品质优良，被列为青茶类的高端产品。这种茶叶源于福建平和县的特定环境下培育的一种珍稀品种，是从地方茶树群体中通过精心选育而成。
白芽奇兰茶树是一种无性系品种，属于灌木型植物，具有半开放的枝条、粗壮直立的茎干、密集的分枝以及深绿色且光泽满目的长椭圆形叶子。其独特之处在于锯齿细浅，这些特征使得它成为一种非常特别的植物。
采制白芽奇兰茶需要极高的心理投入和专业技艺，其中包括凉青、晒青、摇青、杀青等多个步骤。经过这些精细工序处理后，外观上呈现出紧致整齐且美观的大条索形状，色泽是油润且带有淡黄色的深绿色。这不仅让人一眼就能看出其质量，还能感受到内在香气清新而又愉悦，让人仿佛置身于幽深花园中享受着兰花之香。
关于“白芽奇兰”这个名字，有两则民间传说相传。第一个故事讲述的是明代陈元和发现了一株特殊植株，这株植株生长在地面上，其嫩梢呈现出如同翠玉般纯净的颜色，而叶片则是清新的翠绿色。当他将这棵植株上的部分加工成tea时，不料所产出的teascented with a fragrance like that of the orchid flower. The tea was so delicious and refreshing, it became known as White Tea Chrysanthemum.
The second legend tells the story of a man who found a peculiar tea tree near a well in Pengxi Village during the Qing dynasty. The new shoots of this tree were white in color, and their edges were shaped like saw teeth. After carefully processing these leaves into tea, people discovered that they emitted an aroma similar to that of orchids. This led to the name "White Tea Orchid" becoming associated with this particular type of tea.
These beautiful legends have added to the charm and allure of White Tea Orchid. This exceptional variety has won numerous international awards, including first place at the 1997 Fujian Upland Tea Quality Evaluation Conference, where one box of 500 grams sold for an astonishing 18 million yuan.
Due to differences in production areas, there are various sub-categories within White Tea Orchid such as "Pengxi White Tea Orchid" and "Jiufeng White Tea Orchid". Each area offers its unique characteristics; for instance those from Xishan are marked by more pronounced floral aromas while those from Pengxi village offer clear orchidal scents combined with sweetness. Due to favorable natural conditions on Big Ridge Mountain (Daqushan), teas produced there showcase special mountain spirit.
In summary, white tea is not just about taste but also about tradition and history which gives it immense value beyond its quality alone making it even more precious than gold or silver!