Silver Needle White Teas are only produced in the Chinese Fujian province of southeast Mainland China and no where else in the world. Silver Needle teas have long been the finest of all teas and consist of the very most tender leaf buds. These buds are hand plucked in the fields right after they begin to develop, but before they have had any time to open into leaves.White Teas are primarily raised in only four of the Fujian provinces and those are: Fuding, Zhen He, Jian Yang, and Song Xi. The special tea called Silver Needle White Tea only comes from Fuding and Zhen He. Both grow the very unique tea bushes that are not found anywhere else, Fuding Da Bai and Zhen He Da Bai. These specific tea bushes produce the larger and often thought stylish tea bud that the Silver Needle White Tea is famous for. Although many have tried to reproduce the same type of tea bush failure has always been the result.Since the delicate harvesting of Silver Needle White Tea buds is only completed by hand and without any machinery at all the harvesting time must be strictly adhered to. No machines are allowed to touch those tender buds. These special buds are uniform in length and covered with very fine white downy type hairs. A complication of the harvesting has often been the weather. This current year, 2010, has proven to be extremely hard and taxing on the region with a snow storm blanketing the tea bushes as well as ice crystals forming on the leaves. The young buds were damaged and the harvest was delayed for some time because of the cold weather.After hand harvesting is completed the new buds then are carefully placed as one layer on special bamboo trays and allowed to dry in the sunshine until most of their moisture in the leaves is gone. This process is again very dependent upon the weather conditions in the region and it is crucial that there be no rain what so ever.After hand harvesting is completed and the tea is allowed to dry the tea next is goes through a withering process which finally is allowed to happen indoors. The teas are slowly warmed further over charcoal yet it does not touch the charcoal. During this roasting process, the tea remains above the charcoal on the bamboo trays which have been lined with a special type of paper. Using a lower temperature drying process is optimal in helping preserve the light coloring of the buds. If the temperature is too high the buds will turn yellow and the effect is not as unique and enchanting to the tea drinker.When Silver Needle White Tea brewed or infused as it is often called, the young buds produce a very pale yellow color with an wonderfully extraordinary fresh, yet sweet fragrance. This revered tea is used for special occasions yet is a delicate and a subtle treat for those quiet, contemplation moments of relaxation. Another more recent use is as a wonderful Summer Tea if allowed to chill - the choice is yours.From centuries ago with the beginning of the White Teas, it became an extremely popular export and sometimes gift to the people of Europe. The First World War halted the export of the white teas to any country in 1918. And those exports did not resume again until around 1926 but only to be halted once again by the escalation of the Second World War.As with any other very special tea it needs very careful preparation and may not be the right choice for just a casual tea consumer. It is suggested that you should brew it in a Guywan or in a Yixing teapot reserved exclusively for Silver Needle White teas and used for no others. The Guywan is a nicely simple yet very elegant system to use. It has a straight side, is often made of porcelain and is without any handle yet also has a saucer and lid. The Yixing teapot is made of clay, very sturdy looking, comes with a snug fitting lid, is free of any lead or other toxic materials and is well know to retain heat for a long time.How to Brew: Begin by placing 2 heaping tsp. of Silver Needle White Tea in your pitcher for each 6 oz. cup, always use only the freshest water and heat it until steaming briskly but not boiling. Allow to steep for 3-4 minutes. You will soon begin to notice the fragrance which is very light and often referred to like smelling newly blooming flowers. The color will be very light yellow and so pale that you will think that you did not steep long enough.For first time Silver Needle White Tea drinkers and even those more seasoned drinkers, Silver Needle White Tea is a wonderful and likable tea. It is much more mellow on the taste buds and also the stomach than its cousin the green tea family and even if brewed with high temperature boiling water the taste will not be bitter. You will find it a very agreeable drink and very simple to make when you have the right tools.The important part of it all is finding a reputable tea company to purchase it from. That can be a chore that often leaves a bitter taste in your mouth so be careful grasshopper. Oh an patience also has its own reward.
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Silver Needles tea have long been the Finest of all teas and consist of the very most delicate leaf buds.
This article is written by Sandra M. Morris of Silver Needle White Tea and she hopes that you will begin the journey to find just how teas can benefit you and your health.
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