Silver Needle King

Harvest

First flush

In early spring, the buds of the tea plant are hand-plucked just before they open. There are only a few buds on each plant this early in the season. The Silver Needle King is so named for the dense and delicate hairs covering the tea buds, which turn silver as they dry.

Processing

The tea buds are sun-dried on a bamboo rack for one or two days. During the first few hours of drying, the tender buds are spread thinly to reduce the risk of damage. Once the buds are silvered and less likely to bruise, the tea is gently rotated to ensure consistency. Day-to-day weather changes during the harvest week can effect the tea’s condition. Harvests are dried separately and combined later based on their individual qualities. The Silver Needle King comes only from the premium batch of tea buds.

The Silver Needle King is finished over fir and fruit tree charcoal at a low temperature. This slow process maintains the integrity of the young buds, while the nearly odorless flames from the sweet woods impart a clean aroma.

Shang Tea is the one of the few producers left in the region that still uses a traditional charcoal oven to cure teas. Most farmers have switched to electric-powered processing factories to save time and money, though many will finish small batches over charcoal for their own personal collections. For Shang Tea, the clean taste of the tea and the sustainable management of the land are worth the extra time and expense.

Resources

• Brewing Tips

• The History of White Tea

• Traditional White Tea vs Young Leaf White Tea

• What is the difference between white and green tea?