Oct 26
Dan’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "It may just be that I'm finally getting the temperature and steeping down just right, or it may be that this particular silver needle is superior, but this is one of the nicest white teas I've had in some time. "
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8.5/10
I always like Silver Needles, but each time I come across one, I think to myself: could this really be any different than the others I've had? It may just be that I'm finally getting the temperature and steeping down just right, or it may be that this particular silver needle is superior, but this is one of the nicest white teas I've had in some time.These particular buds were harvested in March '09, coming from the Fuding region. They are are on the extreme side of tippy, with most of the long leaves bursting with plump fluffiness. Color-wise, there may be a bit more green to these leaves, as compared with some of the ultra-fine grade Bai Hao Yinzhen, but to my non-expert palette, I find it exquisite nonetheless. The dried leaves are more aromatic than any other silver needle in recent memory. JING's comparison to various melon fruits appears to be on the mark. A snack consisting of nibbling a half dozen of these leaves reveals a good flavor with a hint of wooden bitterness on the finish.
I began with a gentle temperature - I'm guessing around 140-150 degrees, and a 2 minute brew. The cup retains a heady aroma, more pungent than most on memory, and more earthy than the scent of the dried buds. The flavor is bold for a white, and I'd strongly recommend this to those with aversion to white teas, as they may take to it with a whole new light. It retains a sweetness throughout the cup, and it comes through strongly on the finish, virtually rolling off the tip of the tongue.
A second infusion with significantly hotter water and a 2.5 minute infusion brought a drastically different experience. It has taken on a toastier, almost burnt-like quality on the nose. In the cup, the flavor is much earthier, more woody, and has all but lost that sweetness from the first cup. Despite the fact that this was clearly the result of an error on my part in temperature and potentially brewing time, the results were not bad. Merely a different animal than the first cup. Ultimately the first cup was preferable, though.
A third infusion at lower temp and for just 60 seconds was fairly unsatisfactory, so I kept it going for another 60 seconds. The results were slightly better and tastier than cup #2, but not nearly as nice as the first cup, nor as flavorful as the second.
Although this didn't hold up to my expectations for multiple infusions, I believe further experimentation and more careful attention to times and temperatures would reveal several satisfactory steepings. In all, this tea is top notch when properly done.
— To purchase JING Silver Needle White Tea, 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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