Other names

• Jasmine White Tea
• Jasmine Yin Zhen Tea
• Moli Yin Zhen
• Mo Li Tea

Introduction

A delicious Jasmine-suffused variant of White Tea, the best Jasmine Silver Needle is made with top quality Da Bai (Big White) leaves and buds suffused with fresh Jasmine petals. Generally considered to be the highest quality White Tea, Yin Zhen is so-called because of the silvery white hairs that cover the young buds. These hairs or silver needles are called Tricomes. They are produced by the tea plant to help stop the young bud from drying out and possibly also to protect it from insects. 

Origin

Fuding, Northern Fujian

Processing

The highest quality Silver Needle buds are picked between March 15^th and April 10^th during dry weather. Silver Needle (Yin Zhen) is made from the first flush of the Da Bai (Big White) varietal. Hand-picked buds are allowed to wither slowly on broad bamboo trays, either in the sun or indoors. Some producers then fire the tea lightly to give it a richer flavour. The long, slow drying process is designed to maintain a light silvery colour of the buds. The tea is then suffused with fresh Jasmine flowers, which are picked at night when they are open. The silver needles are either overlaid with the petals or stored on alternate trays in a special temperature controlled room. The suffusion process is repeated five or six times with fresh Jasmine petals to create an intense floral aroma.

Tasting notes

Silver Needle (Yin Zhen) produces a slightly viscous pale yellow-green liquor. The aroma can include complex notes of fruit and sweetness, all overlaid with the floral intensity of the Jasmine petals. The tea tastes very light and floral.

Brewing instructions

Brew in a glass, cup, Gaiwan or infuser. Use 5 - 6 pearls per serving with water temperature 75 - 80°C: Infuse for around 3 minutes.