Silver Needle 白毫银针 (2020)
Tea Profile
Type: White Tea (Bai Cha 白茶)
Location: Jinping Village, Zhenghe County, Fujian Province
Altitude: 850–1200 m
Harvest Date: April 2020
Cultivar: Da Bai Hao 大白毫
Age of Tea Bushes: Old garden tea trees (exact age unknown)
The Story of This Tea
Jinping Village lies along the border of Fujian and Zhejiang Provinces, surrounded by steep, forested mountains that rise above the clouds. Known as a natural oxygen bar and summer retreat, this region provides a pure and unspoiled environment for tea cultivation. The ancient gardens are tucked into high mountain valleys between 850 and 1200 meters. Cool nights and warm days slow leaf growth, concentrating the tea’s inner richness and fragrance.
The soil here is composed of weathered volcanic gravel and shale. Though shallow and rugged, it is mineral-rich and full of organic matter. These challenging conditions produce white teas of exceptional depth and vitality. The 2020 harvest demonstrates this perfectly, showing a thick, creamy texture balanced by refined sweetness and lingering floral complexity. A hallmark of true high-mountain Silver Needle.
Aroma and Flavour
This Silver Needle opens with a clean, elegant aroma that carries hints of wildflowers and light honey. The taste is rich and silky, with natural sweetness unfolding in layers. The liquor feels thick yet clear on the palate, finishing with a long, cooling aftertaste that leaves a trace of sweetness behind. It is both soothing and invigorating, a tea that rewards slow, attentive brewing.
- Aroma: Clean, delicate fragrance with floral and honeyed undertones
- Flavor: Smooth and rich with layered natural sweetness
- Texture: Thick, balanced, and refined
- Aftertaste: Long-lasting sweetness that lingers elegantly
- Steeping Endurance: 8 to 10 infusions
Brewing Guidelines
Gong Fu Style
- Teaware: Porcelain gaiwan or glass teapot. Clay teapots are not recommended for delicate white teas
- Ratio: 5–6 g per 100 ml water
- Water: 85–90 °C spring water
- Infusions: Rinse gently, then brew 8–10 infusions, adjusting steeping time gradually
Western Style
- Teaware: Glass or porcelain teapot
- Ratio: 3–4 g per 250 ml water
- Water: 85–90 °C
- Steeping: 2–3 minutes for the first infusion. Resteep up to 3–4 times
Why Choose This Tea
This 2020 Silver Needle from Jinping Village embodies the purity of high-mountain Fujian white tea. Crafted from the Da Bai Hao cultivar and grown in volcanic mineral soil, it combines floral delicacy with a thick, sweet body and a lasting honeyed aftertaste. The result is a serene and balanced tea that captures the quiet strength of its mountain origin and the gentle beauty of time in every cup.