Silver Needle Teas: Everything You Need to Know
Silver needle tea is one of the premium white teas, having silvery-white hairs.
Originating from China’s Fuzia province, it’s also known as Bai Hao Yin Zhen which is a highly prized tea.
Today, let’s explore why this tea is one of the most expensive and highly loved worldwide.
What is silver needle tea?
Silver needle tea is harvested in the early spring and consists of only young leaves and downy buds. As the silver needle tea undergoes minimal process, it’s usually high in antioxidants with preserved flavor.
What does silver needle tea taste like?
Generally grown in high-altitude regions, the silver needle has a very delicate, sweet, honey-like, jasmine taste profile. The texture is so light and smooth that it gives you a creamy mouthfeel.
When you smell it, you can get the floral scent with a hint of honeysuckle and chestnut.
But, note that the flavor profile could differ based on the tea type you pick. It could range from floral, sweet, mellow, and juicy to creamy.
Types of Silver Needle Tea
Silver needle tea is categorized into different types depending on the origin and cultivation techniques used.
Fujian Silver Needle
As the name says, the Fujian silver needle originated in Fujian, china. This tea has a very silvery look, covered with white hairs. Fujian silver needle is one of the most common teas, offering a floral, sweet, and delicate taste.
Yunnan Silver Needle
Originating in Yunnan, China, this tea has relatively thicker leaves and a robust flavor compared to Fujian tea. Yunnan Silver Needle offers a very exclusive taste profile that could be woody, nutty, or sweet with a light spice note.
Jasmine Silver Needle
Next, you can also find the jasmine silver tea which is processed by blending the scent of jasmine flower. This tea gives off a floral aroma of jasmine flowers, with a sweet taste.
Organic Silver Needle
For health enthusiasts, organic silver needle tea could be an ideal choice for you. While offering the same flavor as the other silver needle teas, this tea is processed organically. That means no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals are utilized.
Wild Silver Needle
Wild silver needles have relatively sweeter flavor profiles in comparison to other types. These teas are produced from large wild or semi-wild tea plants. You could taste the notes of wild strawberries, orange blossoms, river pebbles, sweet flowers, etc.
Nutritional Facts of Silver Needle Tea
In an 8-ounce cup, silver needle tea could contain the following nutritional facts. Keep in mind, these are estimated values which could differ with the tea type, processing, brewing ingredients, and so on.
Calories: 1.6 kcal
Carbohydrates: 0.01 gram
Sugar: 0 gram
Protein: 0.1 gram
Fat: 0.1 gram
Does silver needle tea have caffeine?
Yes, since silver needle tea is a white tea, it’s naturally caffeinated. But, the caffeine amount is lowest in comparison to other teas. Normally, in a cup of silver needle tea, there’s about 6-55 mg. Remember, it depends on the processing and the steep time too.
How to brew silver needle tea?
Silver needle tea is very easy to prepare. You just need warm water and steep it for a while.
However, every tea drinker has their own personal tea-making method. So, we encourage you to experiment with different ways and have fun while enjoying your drink.
Having said that, you may want to avoid using boiling water as it could burn the leaves. It’s because the white teas are delicate in nature.
You’ll Need
- 2-3 grams or 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf silver needle tea
- 9-10 fl oz of filtered water
- A cup
- A teapot or Gaiwan
- Strainer or sieve
Instructions
- First, boil the 9-10 fl oz of filtered water.
- After the water reaches its boil, let it cool down to make it around 185-175° F.
- Put 2-3 grams or 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf silver needle tea in your teapot.
- Now, pour the hot water over the silver needle tea. Then, let it steep for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- If necessary, strain the tea. Then, pour the tea into your cup.
Silver Needle Tea FAQs
What is silver needle tea good for?
Silver needle tea consists of nutritional properties like antioxidants, antimicrobials, catechins, etc. So, drinking this tea may have several health advantages like boosting immunity, promoting heart health, improving digestion, supporting weight management, and minimizing inflammation.
Where to buy silver needle white tea?
To buy silver teas from the Himalayas, you can visit our Danfe Tea Silver Needle Tea page.
Why is silver needle tea so expensive?
Silver needle tea, harvested in the early springtime is made by individually hand-plucking the youngest tea buds. During the winter, the tea plants are in their dormant stage and store more nutrients than in other seasons. So, when spring comes the first tea leaves are very rich in nutrients and these finest tea leaves are used to make the exclusive silver needle tea. This makes silver needles white tea most sought after tea and also the expensive one. Did you know that it takes more than 13,000 buds to make 1 lb silver tea?
Conclusion
Silver needle tea is one of the rarest and most expensive white teas, traditionally reserved for the royal family or emperor only. Its delicate, floral, and sweet notes could be your next favorite flavor.
If you’d like to taste this exclusive tea that gives you a prestigious experience, our Danfe Tea’s Silver Needle Tea is perfect for you. Produced in the Himalayas, our silver needle tea gives you a velvety soft texture with a banana cantaloupe taste. When you smell it, you’ll get the sweet forest honey-like notes. Try today and savor this tea.
