Introduction
Zhenghe White Down Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) is a prestigious white tea originating from Zhenghe County in Fujian Province. Unlike the Fuding variety, this tea is harvested from the Zhenghe Da Bai cultivar and undergoes a traditional, long-duration sun-withering process. It consists exclusively of plump, unopened spring buds covered in thick, silvery-white down, earning it the reputation as the "King of White Teas."
Taste and appearance
The brewed tea has a brilliant, pale apricot or light golden color. The tea releases a delicate fragrance of fresh wildflowers and sweet hay. It possesses a rich, velvety mouthfeel with a deep honey-like sweetness and subtle notes of soy milk.
Health benefits
While all varieties of tea are considered healthier alternatives to coffee, Silver Needle white tea is believed to have the highest level of antioxidants because it consists only of the youngest buds. As one of the least processed teas, it retains maximum nutrients.
Brewing
Add about three to four grams of Zhenghe White Down Silver Needle tea leaves in 150 ml of water between the temperature of 80-85 degrees Celsius. The tea should be steeped between 2-3 minutes, and can be infused multiple times. It is recommended that you use a glass pitcher or a Gaiwan to brew the tea, allowing you to observe the elegant "dancing buds" as they stand upright in the water.
Packaging
Each unit is individually packaged directly from the grower to ensure the freshness of the white tea.