As sweet and delicately fragrant as the tender buds from which it’s made, Silver Needle Tea is one of China’s most famous and prized teas
Grown in the Fujian Province of China, Silver Needle is the highest grade of white tea, as it is made from only the leaf shoots of the Large White (Da Bai) tea tree. As the name suggests, the buds are covered with soft fleshy hairs.
What is White Tea?
Of the five main types of tea- Black, Green, White, Oolong and Puerh- white tea is the least oxidized. Oxidation is the chemical reaction that takes place when freshly picked leaves are exposed to oxygen. White tea also contains very high levels of antioxidants and other healthful chemical compounds.
How Silver Needle Tea is Produced
White Haired Silver Needle Tea is produced from the “first flush”, or first harvest of new buds between March and April. Ideally, the leaf shoots are plucked late on a sunny morning, after the dew has evaporated. The leaves are then spread out in shallow baskets to wither in the sun, or they may be wilted indoors with the help of warm air. Finally, they are piled up for minimal oxidation and baked at a low temperature to dry the buds.
Preparation
Like all white teas, Silver Needle should be prepared using less-than boiling water (165- 175 degrees F). Many people user a greater quantity of tea and steep up to five minutes.
Photo by Rebecca Siegel/ Flickr CC
