The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) states that “the lungs govern the skin and hair.” With each breath we take, the lungs, through their function of dispersion, distribute vital energy and body fluids throughout the body to nourish the skin and hair, maintaining normal skin metabolism.
If there are issues with the lungs, they often manifest through our skin. For example, dull skin without luster, roughness, and enlarged pores…
To nourish the lungs and beautify the skin, according to the principle of “five colors correspond to five organs,” there is a saying that “white nourishes the lungs.” Mentioning white, Tea enthusiasts immediately think of White Tea.
Silver Needle White Tea, made from tea buds, stands out among all white teas as particularly charming. Some describe it as “green snow bud” and call it the beauty among teas.
Besides its high aesthetic value, Silver Needle is also rich in nutrients, with amino acid content reaching up to 9%. Its polyphenol content is also high, and after being stored for a year, it becomes richer in flavonoids.
Silver Needle is not only widely recognized and consumed by the general public; its components' effects have been researched by countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. Many large companies have also been racing to develop related cosmetics and skincare products.
The elegant beauty among teas.
Due to its tenderness, freshness, and abundance of fine hairs, Silver Needle is often rejected by tea connoisseurs who find it “tasteless.”
This is inherent in Silver Needle, which is made entirely of tea buds, giving it a slightly lighter taste. Additionally, its production is lower than other white teas, making its price higher. As a result, many tea enthusiasts admire it from afar.
In truth, missing out on Silver Needle is somewhat regrettable.
Though it may seem tasteless, it actually has a subtle depth. During the process of the tea entering the mouth, one can experience the layers of aroma, the thickness and smoothness of the tea, the aftertaste, and the changes in its rich internal components.
Silver Needle offers excellent value for money.
Each Silver Needle consists of a single bud core. If a serving of tea weighs about 5 grams, there will be an incredibly large number of buds. Just the craftsmanship involved makes it worth every penny.
The picking of Silver Needle is meticulous and requires strict standards. Only plump single buds are selected. If a shoot with one or two leaves is picked, only the bud heart is used, commonly referred to as “extracting the needle.”
There are also ten rules for what not to pick: “No picking on rainy days, no picking when dew is still present, no picking thin and weak buds, no picking purple buds, no picking wind-damaged buds, no picking buds damaged by humans, no picking buds damaged by insects, no picking open buds, no picking hollow buds, and no picking diseased buds.”
Traditionally crafted, its beauty lies in its naturalness.
Silver Needle is not stir-fried or kneaded. The fresh buds are simply picked, then sun-dried or air-dried to naturally wither and dry, becoming white tea.
Without complex processes or excessive human intervention, it presents a fresh and sweet taste that is close to nature. Sun-dried white tea produces a full-bodied “sunshine flavor” that uplifts the mood just by smelling it.
It's like steaming fish; only tender and fresh fish can be cooked to be truly delicious.
It's covered in fine hairs, and upon closer inspection, it really looks like a “furry child.”
You shouldn't think that these furry teas are of poor quality; in fact, these fine hairs are excellent!
The hairs on the tea leaves are one of the important components that contribute to the freshness and pleasantness of the tea broth. The amount of these hairs directly affects the quality of Silver Needle.
Originating from organic tea gardens in Fuding.
As the saying goes, “high mountains and mist produce good tea.” The Silver Needle recommended in this article is sourced from the tea gardens of Mount Taemushan in Fuding, which are organic, pollution-free, and have a very good ecological environment. It is precisely such a good environment that produces high-quality tea.
It can be brewed not only in a lidded bowl but also in a transparent glass cup. A water temperature of 80-90°C is ideal. Warm the cup, add an appropriate amount of Silver Needle, and then pour in the water.
When brewed in the cup, the tea appears like clouds reflecting light, forming a milky foam, with each bud standing upright, creating a spectacular sight.
Silver Needle has great potential for appreciation.
In recent years, the price of white tea has significantly increased. Regardless of your understanding of the market situation for white tea, various tea markets and industry insiders agree that the price of white tea is rising!
Whether considering the price of raw materials, production costs, weather conditions, the risk control measures taken by manufacturers in tea-growing areas, or the chaotic phenomena driven by profit, Xiao Cha can only accept the reality of rising prices in the white tea market with tears in her eyes.