Silver needle white tea is a highly prized and sought-after tea that is made from the tender buds of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. These young buds are picked during a very short window of time in the early spring, usually before they fully open and while they are still covered in fine white hairs, giving the tea its distinctive silver needle appearance.
To create silver needle white tea, only the buds are used, without any leaves or stems. This labor-intensive process requires skilled tea pickers to carefully harvest the buds by hand, ensuring that only the finest and freshest buds are selected for the tea making process.
After the buds are picked, they are withered in the sun or indoors to remove excess moisture, which helps to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas of the tea. The buds are then carefully dried to halt oxidation and preserve the white color of the hairs on the leaves.
The final step in the production of silver needle white tea is the sorting and grading of the tea buds. The highest quality silver needle white teas consist of only the most tender and unblemished buds, which are carefully sorted to ensure a consistent appearance and flavor profile.
The resulting tea is prized for its delicate flavor, smooth texture, and subtle sweetness. Silver needle white tea is known for its floral and creamy notes, with a subtle hint of honey or melon. It is often described as having a light and refreshing taste, with a smooth and clean finish.
Overall, silver needle white tea is a premium tea that is made from the finest and most delicate tea buds, offering a unique and luxurious tea drinking experience. It is a favorite among tea connoisseurs for its delicate flavors and exquisite appearance.