Silver Needles is one of the most famous teas from China, the king of white tea. Not all tea created equal, so true as to Silver Needles as well. This tea is harvested in Taimu mountain, the traditional growing area of Fuding. When it is brewed, the buds turn to light brown with green undertone and the liquor takes on an amber tint, like honey and white wine. You will see a lot of hair or particles in the liquor during the first several steeps. The "hairy" liquor is what the connoisseurs refer as "hao xiang", meaning "the fragrance of the tea hair fuzz". It is delightfully floral, mellow and sweet, having a sun-dried flavor with notes of hay, pear, papaya, vanilla and dates, producing a deeply satisfying cup. It not only brews a delicious cup, but also provides great health benefits, as Silver needles tea consists only of buds, which are packed with nutrients rich in amino acids and polyphenol. 

Fuding county is wildly regarded as the core origin of white tea. Most inferior silver needles on the US market are not Fuding white tea, rather from other parts of Fujian province, some 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.

Click here for steeping instructions.

Additional Info

Origin:                   2019 harvest: Taimu Mountain, Fuding county, Fujian

                              2017 harvest: Panxi, Fuding county, Fujian

Varietal:                  Fuding Da Bai / Hua Cha #1 (see the mother tree inside the fenced area behind Victoria, in front of the red flowers, in the last picture.) 

Tasting Notes

Fresh citrus and pear notes delight your taste buds, and a hint of sweet dates lingers into a naturally smooth and light finish. Full bodied, creamy, no astringency or sharpness, even after longer steeping.