Harvest
Autumn
The chrysanthemum flower bud is wild harvested from the White Tea Mountain in early autumn, at the height of the dry season. Harvesting the bud rather than the open flower means a smaller yield each season, but the flavor of the buds is smoother and much sweeter than that of the mature flowers.
Processing
The chrysanthemum buds are air dried on bamboo racks in full sun. During the dry season, the sun is harsh and strong, and the buds bask in its heat for two days before they are packed for the yang hua, or ripening, to take place as they age until the next season. The slow ripening maintains the sweetness of the buds, and aging the dried flowers is believed to increase their healing properties.