Yunnan Yin Zhen / Yunnan Silver Needle

云南银针 Yúnnán yín zhēn / yunnan silver needle

Silver Needle is a category of tea traditionally grown in China, first cultivated in Fuding around 1857. Known as Bai Hao Yin Zhen (白毫銀針), which translates to “White Down Silver Needle,” it is often referred to simply as Yin Zhen or Silver Needle.

Originally from Fuding, enthusiasm for this delicate tea has spread to other regions in China and around the world, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, and Malawi. Silver Needle teas are easily recognized by their distinctive, beautiful needle-shaped terminal buds.

Yunnan Province is a diverse and often tropical landscape, which produces tea trees there are a much larger variety, often Camellia sinensis assamica among many others. These tea trees are called da ye zhong, literally “big leaf type”. Silver Needle tea produced from these tea plants is surprisingly bold and fragrant, with large extremely downy buds that are incredibly aromatic.

The leaves of this silver needle are extremely large and have an fruity aroma of lychee. Silver needle leaves are very hardy, so can be brewed at a hotter temperature for a longer period. The infusion has a smooth texture with a buttery touch, with a sweet lingering taste of stone fruits and fresh wild hay. This tea can re-steep 4-5 times.

• Cultivar: Da Ye Zhong
• Region: Jinggu, Yunnan, China
• Altitude: 1500 m

ingredients: organic white tea