Tsting of China White Silver Needle
amllist
Fujian province this Silver Needle tea consists of the
most tender leaves: single buds that were plucked right after
they fully developed, but before they had time to open.
Vender - Special Teas <http://www.specialteas.com>
Dry Leaf - Green buds of equal length covered with white down.
Wet Leaf - Small, olive-green leaves, not completely open after 3
steeps, low density.
Water - Crystal Geyser natural alpine water bottled
at the source, California, Sierra Nevada Mts.
Brewing method - 2 Gaiwans (one for steeping, pour
liquor into second) , chop with lid
during steep to provide mixing, lid
never completely closed. Water poured
on side of Gaiwan, not directly on leaf.
Since these leaves float they must be
worked with the Gaiwan lid until saturated.
Recommended by vendor: 3 g / 6 oz of water, 185, 2 min.
Sample #1, 185 F (85 C), 3 g/ 6 oz of water.
Steep 1, sample 1 - 2 min
Color - Slight tinge of yellow green
Aroma - Delicate light sweet.
Taste - Light sweet, refreshing.
Steep 2, sample 1 - 2 1/2 min
Color - Tinge of yellow green.
Aroma - Delicate fresh sweet.
Taste - Wonderfully sweet.
Steep 3, sample 1 - 3 min
Color - Pale yellow.
Aroma - Delicate sweet, fresh.
Taste - Sweet, refreshing, brisk.
Sample #2, 175 F (79 C), 3 g / 6 oz of water
Steep 1, sample 2 , 2 1/2 min,
Color - Tinge of yellow. .
Aroma - Delicate sweet, fresh.
Taste - Sweet, brisk, refreshing.
Steep 2, sample 2 , 3min
Color - Pale yellow with a tinge of green...
Aroma - Delicate sweet, fresh.
Taste - Light sweet, brisk, refreshing.
Distinctive as it cools.
Steep 3, sample 2 , 3 1/2 min
Color - Pale yellow with a tinge of green.
Aroma - Light sweet.
Taste - Light sweet, brisk and refreshing..
Conclusions:
1. At 185 F (85 C), 3 g / 6 oz of water, 2 1/2 min.,
the aroma is delicate fresh sweet; the taste
is wonderfully sweet.
2. At 1755 F, 3 g/ 6 oz of water, 2 1/2 min., the aroma
is delicate sweet, and fresh; the taste is sweet,
brisk, and refreshing.
Alan M. Liebschutz