Sample comes from 221Tea who kindly sent me a very generous sample after I requested trying it in our large swap. I’ve wanted to try pretty much all Stacy’s Silver Needle blends for ages now – but haven’t been willing to blindly buy them for fear I wont like them for whatever reason. It’s semi foolish because I know already that I adore Silver Needle tea in general, but getting to try a sample first is just really reassuring…
So this is part of my breakfast tea line up: I haven’t had a lot of hot white teas in a while (just cold brews) because I don’t want to take the time in the mornings before work to make a hot cup, and after work I’m still too impatient to wait for the water to cool – I want the instant gratification of white tea! So, today is gonna be a white tea day, at least up until I leave for my date.
Dry, this smells so… Fresh. I feel like, already, I know I’m gonna be in love and I’m already feeling validated in wanting to buy a few ounces of it. Yum!
Steeped up: I was so right! There’s so much flavour in such a small amount of leaf! And it’s rich, and thick, and delightfully creamy! I for sure get sweet milky/creamy notes (almost like condensed milk) first and foremost, and then some gentle hay and malt notes and a cherry/marzipan like sweetness to finish off and round out the cup. It’s one of, if not the best straight Silver Needle I’ve ever had.
I don’t typically resteep but I’m confidant that I’ll be resteeping this one.
And…
On that note this will be added to my wishlist/shopping list because I am quite literally drooling. My mouth is watering that much.
EDIT: So I did resteep it and I’m very impressed! The creaminess, hay notes and marzipan flavours held up really well to the second steep. I did lose a lot of the maltiness but some more fruity notes emerged that I hadn’t picked up before.
And I’m still drooling… Mmm!
Flavors: Cherry, Cream, Hay, Malt, Marzipan
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Oh so I don’t know what website it was but one of the tea sites suggested to get 80C water, put cold water in 1/5 of the mug and that has worked for me. I just don’t pour the boiling water over the leaves. Instead I put the cold water in, then the hot water and then lower the basket into the water and give it a stir.
I am so borrowing that idea for work, VariaTEA!
Haha I was pretty mind blown when I read that. I think it was on Bluebirds site. Hope it works for you, OMGsrsly :)
It should, if I ever remember that there’s a kettle hiding in the cupboard.
This one is so good!
Oh so I don’t know what website it was but one of the tea sites suggested to get 80C water, put cold water in 1/5 of the mug and that has worked for me. I just don’t pour the boiling water over the leaves. Instead I put the cold water in, then the hot water and then lower the basket into the water and give it a stir.
I am so borrowing that idea for work, VariaTEA!
Haha I was pretty mind blown when I read that. I think it was on Bluebirds site. Hope it works for you, OMGsrsly :)
It should, if I ever remember that there’s a kettle hiding in the cupboard.
This one is so good!