Silver Needle

from €11.00

Harvested in early spring from young buds in Fuding, Fujian. This premium white tea is known for its fine silver hairs and refreshing, grassy aroma. The flavor is clean, mildly sweet, with delicate vegetal and hay-like notes — a pure expression of white tea’s natural elegance.

Gram:

Harvested in early spring from young buds in Fuding, Fujian. This premium white tea is known for its fine silver hairs and refreshing, grassy aroma. The flavor is clean, mildly sweet, with delicate vegetal and hay-like notes — a pure expression of white tea’s natural elegance.

  • The name comes from the shape and appearance of the tea buds: long and slender like needles, covered in fine silvery-white hairs (豪hao), giving them a shimmering, elegant look.

  • It is one of the most revered Chinese white teas, known for being made only from spring buds. The minimal processing preserves the tea’s natural sweetness and aroma, making it a symbol of purity and refinement in Chinese tea culture.

  • The main difference between Fujian Silver Needle and Yunnan Silver Needle lies in their varietals, terroir, and resulting flavor. Fujian Silver Needle, the traditional and most prized version, is made from small-leaf tea buds in Fuding and Zhenghe, yielding a pale golden liquor with a grassy, clean, and delicate taste, accented by subtle honey notes. Yunnan Silver Needle, by contrast, is crafted from large-leaf varietals in Yunnan, producing a deeper golden-amber liquor with a fuller body, floral and fruity aromas, and a richer sweetness. In short, Fujian is grassy and refined, while Yunnan is floral and bold.

  • Yes, we offer both. Our “Silver Needle” refers to the classic Fujian variety, known for its grassy, delicate, and refined taste. We also carry the Yunnan version, labeled as “Big Tips Silver Needle,” which is fuller-bodied, floral, and bold. The product you are currently viewing is the Fujian Silver Needle. If you would like the Yunnan style, please select Big Tips Silver Needle.

Recommended Gongfu Brewing Method

Recommended Teaware:
Porcelain gaiwan.

Water Temperature:
80 °C

Brewing Instructions (Steaming Pre-heat Method熏蒸法):

  1. Tea-to-water ratio: 1 g of tea per 30 ml of water (1:30).
    Example: 5 g for a 150 ml gaiwan.

  2. First infusion: Steep for 1 minute at 80 °C, then decant fully.

  3. Subsequent infusions: Add 10 seconds for each round.

Water pouring technique

  1. When pouring, let the hot water run gently along the wall of the gaiwan, avoiding a direct hit on the buds. This allows the tea to float naturally.

  2. Cover the gaiwan and let the steam rise inside, awakening the buds and releasing their fragrance.

Silver Needle can be brewed 5–6 times, gradually unfolding delicate layers of aroma and sweetness.

Essential Info

Chinese Name: 白毫银针 (Simplified) 白毫銀針 (Traditional)

Region: Fuding & Zhenghe, Fujian Province, China
Harvest Time: 2024

Description:
Fujian Silver Needle, or Bai Hao Yin Zhen, is the most traditional and prized form of Silver Needle white tea. Made entirely from tender spring buds covered in fine silvery hairs, it undergoes minimal processing to preserve its purity and elegance. When brewed, it yields a pale golden liquor with a fresh, grassy aroma and smooth, delicate taste. Light, clean, and naturally sweet, it is regarded as one of China’s finest white teas.

Tasting Profile:
Grassy and fresh; light honey notes; pale golden liquor with a smooth, lingering sweetness.