Jul 14
Geoff’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "The second infusion was on par, if not better, than the first. While not without peer, it still pulls rank over a white peony. A re-taste is not out of the question."
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Silver Needle white teas are my champagne, my liquid muse, my drink du jour. My exposure to it came about by chance during the second tea-centric year. In any teashop, my eyes and fingers beelined for the Silver Needle. If they even had it, the shop got a nod and a gold star.Rishi Tea had three types of Silver Needle to choose from. I went for the Jasmine-flavored. One can never go wrong with Jasmine...usually.
When my sample arrived, I approached it with eyebrow half-arched. It looked like no Silver Needle I'd ever tried. The leaves should appear neat and hand-rolled, whereas these looked mashed by a drunkard. Removing them from the pouch was also a chore. They were tangled and twined together, a trait I would expect from loose leaf blacks or oolongs. Ideally, Silver Needle leaves are as the name suggests; like pine needles, not brier patch shavings.
Strike Two was the smell. I felt as if my nostrils had freebased flower-powder. This could be partially attributed to the presence of dried Jasmine blossoms amidst the tea leaves. My research led me to believe that petals were included with the leaves but later removed after the flavor had seeped. Only cursory evidence of the blossoms remained.
Perhaps I was being to snobbish, I thought. After all, I hadn't even brewed it yet.
The Rishi site suggested a brewing temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit, 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water, steeped for a minimum of four minutes. In typical "me"-like fashion, I erred on the side of excess. 2 teaspoons in 16 ounces, steeped for the maximum five. After the initial whiff and watchful eye of the dried stuff, my hopes weren't high.
How wrong my presumptions were! It brewed up to a beautiful bronze color. Jasmine let Silver Needle lead in their delicate dance upon my palette. No battle for taste bud supremacy.
The second infusion was on par, if not better, than the first. While not without peer, it still pulls rank over a white peony. A re-taste is not out of the question.
— To purchase Rishi Tea Silver Needle Jasmine, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.
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