Yin Zhen "Silver Needle" is a variety of remarkable and ethereal Chinese teas made with an exacting skill in plucking, handling, and processing. A delicacy, it is made using a fine pluck standard in which only buds are harvested. We think this lot captures the essence of the spring harvest. Clearly, Yin Zhen is a spring offering that should be in any tea lovers cupboard!
Lot Notes. This lot is made from a cultivar known as #6. It is notable for its flavor profile. Its origins are in the Fu'An area. Tea was purchased from a farm run by Mr Wang. We cupped this lot in his shop and found it to be a wonderful spring Yinzhen. Our lot is the first pluck of the season. The farm is located at an elevation of approximately 800 meters. The buds were withered using a warm-air method followed by light heat with minimal oxidization. Our lot harvested on April 2026.
Tea Facts. The cultivar for this year’s tea is locally known as Varietal #6, developed from the famous Fuding Da Bai cultivar. The buds are slender, a light green color and covered with tender, downy hair giving it the classic velvety appearance.
Tasting Notes. The liquor is fresh herbs. Offers sweet, lite savory flavors of fresh apricot and honey. Offers a long, gentle grassy finish.
Brewing Suggestions. Use a rounded tablespoon or 3 grams of leaf for 6-8 ounces of water at a temperature of 165-195 degrees F. A lower temperature will preserve this tea's softer notes and preserve the flavors of the leaves. Steep for 2 minutes and taste. This tea can be steeped quite a bit longer to strengthen taste and it will remain sweet. Leaves offer multiple steeps.
SKU: W-SNF-6
White Tea
Add 30 seconds for each successive steep — flavors evolve.
White teas are produced in a brief window of time in the spring. The best whites are prized as they consist entirely of sweet buds. These teas are minimally processed in two steps – withering and drying.
Steeped white tea is delicate, extremely refreshing, and considered to contain less caffeine. The leaves will open to fresh floral, herbaceous, naturally sweet, and honey-like flavors. A stronger cup can be attained by extending the steep time.