Silver Needles is one of the most famous teas from China, the king of white tea. It is named after its very distinctive appearance as the tea buds shape like needles and the tiny white hairs fully cover the buds. This tea is from the heart of the traditional harvest region of Guan Yang, Fuding, was the earliest batch of spring harvest, sun-dried and traditionally processed. Not all tea created equal, so true as to Silver Needles as well. Just from the appearance of this silver needles that it is the first batch of the harvest. After seven years of aging, you can still taste the so called "sun flavor". It is delightfully floral and fruity, smooth and full-bodied, mellow, sweet, with notes of pear, papaya, vanilla and dates, producing a deeply satisfying cup. 

There is a Chinese saying regarding the aging benefits of Fuding white tea: "Year one a tea, year three a medicine, and year seven a treasure". The color of the wet leaf is a natural brown. It not only brews a deeply satisfying cup, but also provides great health benefits, as Silver needles tea is rich in amino acid and polyphenol content. 

Fuding county is wildly regarded as the true origin of white tea. Most inferior silver needles on the US market are not Fuding white tea, rather from other parts of Fujian province. Most inferior silver needles are from outside Fujian province, and some are even from different countries. At Meimei Fine Teas, we only offer high quality teas from their true origins as terroir plays a critical role in tea taste and the sensory experience.

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Additional Info

Origin:                 Guanyang, the core producing area of Fuding, Fujian, China
Harvest time:       First spring harvest, late March, 2017
Elevation:            700 meters 

Tasting Notes

Floral and fruity, creamy, buttery, full bodied, with notes of fresh citrus, pear, papaya, vanilla and a hint of sweet dates, sweet aftertaste with huigan.