Baihao Yinzhen, made entirely from single tea buds covered in white down, is named for its straight, needle-like appearance and Silver-white color.
How to Appreciate Baihao Yinzhen? Focus on These 6 Aspects
1. Quality Characteristics of Baihao Yinzhen
Shape: Sturdy and plump buds, straight like needles, fully covered with white down
Color: Silvery white with a lustrous sheen
Infusion Color: Pale apricot yellow, bright and clear
Aroma: Richly fragrant and fresh, with prominent downy aroma
Taste: Robust and refreshing, with ample downy flavor
Leaf Base: Uniformly green, complete, plump, tender, and soft
2. Appraisal
Baihao Yinzhen is made from unopened, plump and tender buds. The buds are sturdy, straight, and uniform, with visible white down and a silvery-gray color that sparkles.
High-quality Baihao Yinzhen, when brewed, displays buds that rise to the top of the cup before slowly descending, then gradually sinking to the bottom. They stand upright, crisscrossing each other in a spectacular display.
3. Brewing
① Glass Cup Brewing: You can use a transparent glass cup. After warming the cup with water at 90-95°C, place 2 grams of tea leaves inside and pour approximately 200 ml of water. Then, holding the cup from the bottom with one hand and supporting it with the other, gently tilt and rotate the cup clockwise for about half a minute. This allows the tea leaves to absorb more water and release their full aroma. After 5 minutes, you can enjoy the aroma and taste of the tea.
② Covered Bowl Brewing: Use 5 grams of silver needle with a 120 cc white Porcelain covered bowl. Pour boiling water at 90-95°C, either by circling or pouring in one spot, and let it steep for around 8-10 seconds before decanting. Observe the shape and smell the aroma.
4. Tasting
After brewing, the internal quality presents a delicate and refreshing downy aroma with a robust, fresh, and sweet taste. Aged Baihao Yinzhen has reduced bitterness and astringency, with increased smoothness, leaving a notably smoother and more comfortable sensation than new Baihao Yinzhen after drinking.
5. Appreciation
In appearance, the buds are sturdy and plump, straight like needles, with dense down and a silvery-green luster. When brewed, the tea buds absorb water, first rising upward with the tip facing up, floating vertically in the cup, and then slowly sinking. The sinking speed varies, creating an interwoven pattern as each bud stands upright in the water, resembling stalactites, a truly spectacular sight. About 10 minutes later, the tea infusion turns pale yellow, presenting an apricot hue.
6. Benefits of Baihao Yinzhen
Baihao Yinzhen has anticancer, antiradiation, antioxidant, blood pressure-lowering, lipid-lowering, and blood sugar-lowering effects. It can also be used to relieve summer heat, detoxify, and prevent cerebrovascular diseases. Additionally, as a precious type of white tea, Baihao Yinzhen helps with digestion, beauty, and diuresis, making it suitable for the general public to Drink. It is particularly recommended for those suffering from wind-heat colds and measles to drink more of it.
For people immersed in the hustle and bustle of daily life, savoring a cup of Baihao Yinzhen that calms the mind and soothes the body can indeed be a form of healing.