white2tea

Overview

White2Tea is a China-based puer tea vendor and producer founded in 2012 that specializes in curated and house-blended puer teas, along with other tea varieties including white, oolong, and black teas. The company operates as a small, selective vendor that sources directly from tea mountains in Yunnan and other regions, distinguishing itself through a curated approach rather than warehouse-scale inventory. White2Tea is known for its diverse selection covering various ages, storage conditions, and production methods, with pricing that accommodates both beginners and experienced collectors.

History

White2Tea was founded in 2012 by TwoDog (Paul), an American tea enthusiast who relocated to China and developed a deep passion for puer tea beginning in 2005. The founder spent seven years studying and drinking puer before pressing his first cake in 2012, eventually transitioning from personal obsession to a formal business. The company released its first house-blended sheng puer in July 2013 through collaboration with Tao Cha Ju, followed by standalone productions like New Amerykah that established the brand's independent voice. By 2015, White2Tea had expanded significantly, nearly doubling its sheng puer production and establishing itself as a recognized name in the specialty tea market.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

White2Tea oversees shou puer fermentation from start to finish with nearly a decade of experience in the pile fermentation process. The company sources raw puer materials from tea mountains in Yunnan and other regions, with the founder personally visiting during spring and autumn seasons. Specialty smoked teas are sent to a traditional Lapsang smokehouse in Tongmuguan, Fujian for pine smoking by experienced tea makers.

Notable Products

• Giant Steps (2012) - Collaborative house-blended sheng puer with Tao Cha Ju that established the brand's reputation for quality blending
• New Amerykah - Standalone produced puer that demonstrated White2Tea's independent production voice
• 2014 Autumn Tea - Seasonal release showcasing the brand's spring and autumn sourcing practices
• House-Blended Sheng Puer Collection - Diverse spring releases featuring multiple terroirs and production styles
• Pine-Smoked Specialty Teas - One-of-a-kind smoked teas processed through traditional Fujian smokehouse methods

Reputation

White2Tea is recognized within the specialty tea community as a thoughtful curator with strong sourcing practices and transparency about its blending philosophy. The brand has gained trust among tea enthusiasts through honest business practices and willingness to share information about its production methods, though some debate exists around the opacity of specific tea origins. The company is noted for its community engagement, with the founder active on Reddit and maintaining a separate tea blog. White2Tea is positioned as a more selective alternative to large warehouse vendors, appealing to collectors seeking quality over quantity and unique offerings unavailable elsewhere.