Semi Wild Silver Needle

This Semi Wild Silver Needle comes to us from one of our well-respected tea foragers, Mr. Fan, also aptly known as "Hunter."

It is made from trees planted by tea farmers in the 1970's that were abandoned as people left the villages for coastal cities. They grow amidst thousands of acres of old growth forest. Here, tea trees compete with a variety of other plants for sunlight, causing their roots to extend deep into the earth to draw nutrients. They grow slowly in the wild, accumulating these nutrients and compounds in their leaves.

Mr. Fan crafts his white teas traditionally: the leaves are naturally withered and dried by sunlight, a slow and delicate process that takes between 48 and 60 hours. However simple it may sound, this method requires painstaking care and attention, along with a great deal of experience to do well.

The leaves are picked early in the morning and carefully carried down the mountain in bamboo baskets to ensure that they are not damaged as they are handled. Then the leaves are swiftly spread out on bamboo mats, initiating the process of withering. While they wither in the sun their moisture level is monitored closely. When it reaches around 50% the leaves are moved indoors. And finally, when the moisture level reaches 10-20%, the leaves are gently roasted over warm charcoal.

Silver Needle is considered the most precious of all white teas as it is made entirely of the fresh, single buds of the trees. Approximately 30,000 buds are needed to make 500 grams of tea and it requires great understanding of the trees to successfully harvest the buds before they sprout leaves. A very good harvest will depend on an unforeseeable cooperation between the budding trees and the weather.

This Silver Needle has unique notes of wet bark and oud that point to its wild origin. Its mouthfeel is soft and suede-like, aligned with its creamy undertone. In later infusions it has amassed a dense sweetness, while maintaining its soft, uplifting qualities, reminding us of fresh soymilk.