Jasmine Silver Needle

About this tea

Jasmine Silver Needle represents the pinnacle of scented tea craftsmanship, pairing the emperor of white teas?Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen)?with the queen of tea flowers, jasmine. This extraordinary marriage of precious ingredients creates one of China's most luxurious tea experiences, offering delicate sweetness, silky texture, and intoxicating jasmine perfume.

Production demands exceptional skill and timing. First, premium Silver Needle buds are harvested in early spring from Fujian Province, processed minimally to preserve their silvery down and delicate compounds, then stored until jasmine season arrives in summer. Fresh jasmine blossoms are gathered at peak fragrance?typically in the evening when aromatic compounds concentrate. The scenting process involves layering tea with jasmine flowers repeatedly over several nights; as flowers open and release their essential oils, the tea absorbs these aromatics. Premium grades may undergo five to seven scenting cycles, each with fresh blossoms. The spent flowers are typically removed after scenting.

The flavor profile achieves remarkable sophistication: Silver Needle's characteristic hay-sweet, honey-like delicacy serves as the perfect canvas for jasmine's heady floral notes. The opening reveals pure jasmine fragrance that seems to float above the cup, while the palate discovers the white tea's natural sweetness?melon, honey, subtle cucumber?enhanced rather than masked by the flower essence. The texture remains silky and the finish lingers with both floral and honey notes. Each infusion reveals different aspects as jasmine intensity gradually softens to reveal more base tea character.

Brewing recommendations: Use 3g per 250ml cup with water at 80°C (176°F), steeping for 3 minutes. Lower temperatures preserve the delicate jasmine aromatics. This tea rewards multiple infusions, easily yielding 6-8 steepings with evolving character. The low caffeine content suits evening enjoyment.

Perfect for special occasions, meditation, or whenever you seek peaceful luxury. Pairs wonderfully with dim sum, light desserts, fresh fruit, and macarons. In Chinese tradition, jasmine tea serves as both a digestive and a symbol of hospitality. The combination of white tea's exceptional antioxidant content with jasmine's calming properties creates holistic wellness benefits alongside sensory pleasure.

The jasmine scenting survives 5-7 infusions, fading gracefully to reveal pure Silver Needle character in later steeps. Use a glass vessel to appreciate the silvery buds. Avoid water above 85°C which can make jasmine notes cloying and overwhelm the delicate white tea base.