白茶等级分类标准：特级一级二级

Per GB/T 22291, Fuding White Tea grades (using White Peony as example): Special—mostly one bud one leaf, prominent down, tender leaves; First—mostly one bud two leaves, visible down, fairly tender; Second—one bud two to three leaves, some down, thicker leaves; Third—mostly one bud three to four leaves with stems, coarse leaves. Silver Needle has only Special and First; Shou Mei has Special and First. Grade directly affects price: same-grade Silver Needle costs roughly 3-5× Shou Mei. Grade is determined by plucking standards—related to but not identical with quality, as craft and storage also matter.