Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Product Description:
White tea from China. Silver Needle is among the most revered of Chinese teas, produced in the Fuding and Zhenhe districts of its Fujian province. Gathered only for a few days in early spring, a dedication to perfection is evident in the pale, ivory colored liquor. The lingering fragrance is delicately honeysuckle floral, with a warmed sugar sweetness. Refreshing texture that is soft and airy on the palate. This is a special grade (‘Bai Hao’) version of this exquisite tea.
Taster’s Review:
I enjoy Silver Needle, but not as often as I’d like to. My favorite time to drink Silver Needle tea is after a meal, because it is very relaxing, and has a sweet taste that helps me forget about that desire for dessert.
This Silver Needle from Adagio’s Artisan Comfort Gourmet Tea Collection makes it possible for me to take Silver Needle with me where ever I go … even when I go out to eat. The handy-dandy pyramid-style tea bags are very roomy and provide plenty of room for the leaves to expand, thereby allowing the tea to achieve full flavor. I love the convenience of these Gourmet Tea Collections from Adagio.
This Silver Needle is delicately grassy, with hints of honey-like sweetness and floral tones in the distance. The mouthfeel is light and silky. Even though I am drinking this as a hot tea, I can feel it cool my palate. This makes it the perfect choice after a spicy meal.
I’ve tried this Silver Needle a couple of times now, and this time, I discovered that this is an incredibly forgiving tea – I over-steeped this by several minutes (it steeped about twice as long as it should have!) and it was not bitter. I will say though, that the longer you steep it, the grassier it tastes. So, if you prefer your Silver Needle on the not-so-grassy side, don’t forget to set the timer the way I did! I didn’t mind the grassy undertones, so I didn’t find the over-steeped Silver Needle off-putting.
A very pleasant Silver Needle, and this is a great way to enjoy it where ever you might be!
White Silver Pearls from Utopia Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: Utopia Tea
Product Description:
Our expertly hand-rolled leaves and buds are combined to create beautiful white tea pearls. When brewed this is a delicate, sweet, and fragrant cup. White tea contains an abundance of polyphenols that are plant derived antioxidants, lowers cholesterol, and protects the body against harmful free radicals. White tea provides the body with potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and K.
Taster’s Review:
When I first saw these pearls, I immediately thought they must be jasmine pearls, but they aren’t. Although they LOOK like jasmine pearls, they do not smell (or taste!) like them.
This has a very interesting flavor – it’s quite unlike any white tea I’ve tasted before. It is more broth-y and vegetative than most white teas I’ve had in the past. It is sweet and it has a very pleasant mouthfeel. I think of all the differences between this and other white teas, it is the mouthfeel that I notice most. It is thick and soft in texture … a little like sipping a consomme (although this isn’t seasoned like a consomme would be).
Overall, the cup is very smooth and well-rounded. I detect notes of fruit and flower. There are palate-pleasing sweet and sour notes. It finishes very clean with very little lingering aftertaste.
These little pearls unfurl slowly, allowing for many wonderful infusions. I recommend steeping this one in a gaiwan using short steeps. My first infusion, I steeped for only 30 seconds and achieved the most delightful flavor with that short short time.
I would highly recommend this tea to anyone, but in particular, I’d recommend this to anyone who feels that white tea is void of flavor. This tea would change their minds with one sip!