Imperial Grade Silver Needle – White Tea

Experience the delicate elegance of Imperial Grade Silver Needle, China’s most revered white tea. Made exclusively from tender spring buds covered with soft silvery hairs, this loose leaf tea offers a light, naturally sweet flavor with subtle floral and honeyed notes. 

Tea facts:

Imperial Grade Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) is considered the highest grade of white tea, crafted entirely from unopened buds picked in early spring. The fine silvery down covering each bud gives the tea its name and is a sign of quality and freshness.

Harvesting is done by hand over just a few days each year, making this tea both rare and precious. After picking, the buds are lightly wilted, briefly pan-fried at low temperature, and then allowed to dry naturally — sometimes with the help of fans. This gentle processing preserves the fine silvery down on the buds and the tea’s pure, delicate character.

Region of Origin:

This tea is produced in Jinggu County, Simao Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The tea is crafted from the Da Bai Hao varietal, a natural hybrid of Assamica unique to the Jinggu area. The region’s high elevation, fertile soils, and misty climate provide the perfect conditions for creating this refined and elegant white tea.

Taste and Aroma:

When brewed, this white tea reveals a pale golden liquor with a soft, clean aroma. The taste is smooth and naturally sweet, with delicate floral and honey notes, a silky texture, and a refreshing finish that lingers lightly on the palate.

Interesting Facts:

Silver Needle has been prized since the Song Dynasty and is often called the “Emperor’s Tea,” as it was historically reserved for royalty. Its minimal processing — just withering and drying — preserves the natural essence of the tea buds, making it one of the purest expressions of the tea plant.

Brewing Guide:

To enjoy the full delicacy of this tea, use pure, soft water at about 85°C. We recommend 5-6 grams of tea per 100ml of volume. 

Start by giving the leaves a brief 10-second rinse and discard the wash. Then steep the tea in successive short infusions: about 10, 15, 20, 30, 45 seconds, and then around a minute for each brew until the leaves are spent. This gradual approach gently coaxes out the tea’s subtle layers of flavor.

For a Western-style cup, steep once for about 3 minutes, or try several short infusions to explore its evolving character.

Perfect For:

An ideal tea for quiet reflection, gentle mornings, or pairing with light desserts and fruits. Its soothing qualities also make it a perfect introduction for those new to white tea.

Imperial Grade Silver Needle White Tea- the tea of unmatched delicacy and purity, cherished for centuries as the jewel of Fujian.

Available for UK online orders.