Silver Needle

Tea: Silver Needle
Vendor: Swan Sisters
Price: $6.00 / oz.
Source: Fujian, China
Harvest: 3/08
Vendor Description: This delicately pleasant tea is from the home of white teas, Fujian's Fu Ding county. Bai Hao Yin Zhen is hand plucked in the first two weeks of March and made using century old techniques. The flavor of this tea is earthy and sweet with a velvety, smooth texture that is characteristic of a Silver Needle white tea. SwanSisters' Silver Needle is a higher grade so the flavor and the texture of the tea will be more apparent than in the more common grades. Enjoy Bai Hao Yin Zhen on a quiet afternoon

Leaf: The leaf for this Silver Needle was a bit dryer looking than normal. There are a few small flecks in the mix as well.

1st Infusion Parameters: 5g, 50z, 180F, 2 min

1st Infusion: This Silver Needle has a heavier and thicker aroma than most silver needles. The leaves, once wet, have a very nice green color to them. The tea itself has a nice light light yellow hue to it. It is a very typical looking cup of Silver Needle. The flavor is much bolder than a normal Silver Needle, it is very full bodied with a light sense of bitterness. The flavor on the tongue is much thicker than normal.

2nd Infusion Parameters: 180F, 3 min

2nd Infusion: The flavor in this infusion was still quite rich for a silver needle. There was a light sense of bitterness to it, and for the most part tasted the same as the first infusion.

Rating: 9/10

Conclusion: This Silver Needle has a stronger, bolder taste that the others I have tried. It is thick and creamy almost, while retaining that Silver Needle light flavor. The only thing about this tea is that it is a little on the pricey side, even for a Silver Needle. For a unique SN experience though, this is a tea to try.