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derk drank Guangxi Silver Needle by Whispering Pines Tea Company

1644 tasting notes

Thanks to White Antlers, I was able to try another Whispering Pines Guangxi province tea, the other being a gold bud which was a tasty, easy-drinking tea.

The tea possesses, like other silver needles, a mellow sweet aroma, though the tastes lie within a lower tonal nature along the lines of dry forest duff and sweet, fresh mushrooms. When brewed western with 3g to 300mL, the body is medium with a dry finish followed quickly by sweet mushroom. The lingering aftertaste has a dominant, mouth-filling note of sweet cream butter mixed with fresh sweet corn (I listed kettle corn below since sweet corn is not an available taste). The second steep is earthy and still very mellow.

This tea serves as a pleasant contrast to the fruity, floral silver needles from the Yunnan and Fujian provinces and even Kenya. I could see this tea appealing to some fans of green and yellow teas, as well as fans of Jinggu puerh.

Flavors: Butter, Cream, Earth, Flowers, Forest Floor, Kettle Corn, Mushrooms, Nectar, Sweet

Preparation

190 °F / 87 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 300 ML

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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