I was reading on the internets and saw that one company recommended that white teas be steeped at 160F for 15 minutes. I’ve had one of their white teas, and I’ve smelled others… and I wasn’t terribly impressed. Now, that’s not the steeping recommendation that came with the tea, so that might have something to do with it.
Since I’m out of that tea, I thought I’d try some other Silver Needles I have in my cupboard. Sorry, Stacy. This review might not be so great because I’m experimenting… :)
Dry, it smells (to me) pretty typically like a white silver needle. I pre-heated my mug, and steeped for what felt like AGES. Pulling the leaves out, they smell… green, actually. Green and hay and astringent. The tea doesn’t taste of much, but I bring it over to my desk to sit and really focus on.
It smells delicately floral. The taste is somewhat syrupy and floral. There is some bitterness (Ugh, it’s on the back of the tongue, not drying on the teeth. So that’s correct, right?) at the end of the sip. Sweet honey and a touch of hay. It feels green in my mouth.
This is a really interesting way to steep a white tea. I’ll have to try it with others! Maybe Watermelon Xylophone? Or I have DavidsTea’s silver needle as well…
And now for this tea. I’m not sure I love the combination of flavours and textures, but that might be due to the steeping method I’ve chosen. It’s interesting, yes. And I’ll drink the other serving I have left, for sure (I won’t finish this cup because it’s late and caffeine is a bad idea.). But would I buy more? Probably not.
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Wow! I’ve never steeped a white tea for that long. I usually go with 170°F for 3 1/2 minutes. That’s usually plenty of time for me to get a really satisfying flavor from a white tea.
That’s about what I do as well! So of course I had to try this. So odd, but it mostly works I think. It definitely pulls out loads of caffeine, whoa.
Wow! I’ve never steeped a white tea for that long. I usually go with 170°F for 3 1/2 minutes. That’s usually plenty of time for me to get a really satisfying flavor from a white tea.
That’s about what I do as well! So of course I had to try this. So odd, but it mostly works I think. It definitely pulls out loads of caffeine, whoa.