Organic Nonpareil Silver Needle White Tea (Bai Hao Yin Zhen)

tasty, viscous, sweet, and a hint of cucumber notes.

Great tea, always in my cupboard.
http://www.teablr.com/2012/12/organic-silver-needle-white-tea-bai-hao-yin-zhen-from-teavivre/

This was for a tea review of a sample of Yin Zhen sent to me by Teavivre.

The leaf was very fluffy and downy. This was very promising as their Bai Mu Dan was similarly fluffy and produced an absolutely amazing cup. I was expecting a high sweetness I think of as typical of Silver Needles over the heartier, richer White Peony.

My first hint that this was a different Yin Zhen was the scent of the leaves. It was very woody and a tad musty. Not in a bad way, just more potent than I expected.

I watched the color closely as I brewed it (in a gaiwan) since I figured it would be wise not to trust my “normal” Yin Zhen technique. The first infusion (80C for 2 min) was sweeter than a Bai Mu Dan, but not overly so. There was a noticeable and pleasant lingering effect of that sweetness on the front of my tongue. It was faintly reminiscent of thyme and rosemary, maybe even with a mintiness. The liquor was a pleasant blond-gold color.

The second infusion (at the same time and temperature) had an aroma of straw and that woodiness that I sensed in the dry leaf. There was less sweetness.

The third and fourth infusion continued to be more woody and less sweet leaving me with the distinct impression of a really good Bai Mu Dan. It’s interesting and not bad, just not what I was expecting.

The leaves are HUGE! Very fuzzy and giant. They really are a beautiful thing. This tea definitely has a hay or grain-like aroma, like some have already pointed out. I always have to get myself past that smell, for I think I won’t end up liking what it tastes like. But this is so light and flowery, I’m also tasting some honeysuckle notes. This is a really high quality Silver Needle tea. It may not be my favourite kind of tea, but I bet if you’re a Silver Needle nut, this will impress you.

This morning I enjoyed these lovely 2013-harvested needles over a two hour period. I understand the high reviews. It is quite a lovely tea.

Needles largely unbroken. The leaves themselves are green with the classic white fuzz and the liquid produced is a pale, pale green (almost yellow) color. The flavor is vegetal, floral, and nutty all at the same time.

Very smooth liquid and I definitely recommend to all. This is everything a silver needle should be – subtle, sweet, delicate.

Colour is very pale. Aroma is gentle and reminiscent of the leaves of a rose.
Taste is primarily floral with buttery notes.

A very summery tea, refreshing and non-astringent.
A perfect tea for when I don’t want to be overpowered by smell and taste.

Water: I boiled 8oz water on the stove,then let cool for 5 minutes.

Leaves: medium size tea buds, light green & fuzzy

Steep: 2m,3m,4m,5m

Aroma: light fresh scent

Color: very pale almost clear

Taste: I decided to brew this tea again. This time using a more proper method than i did the first time around. I never thought I would be able to re-steep it soo many times yet still have a nice light flavor.

This is the real deal. I mean wow! Tastes very vivid, clear and elegant. Has absolutely no bitternes or grassy mouthfeel whatsoever. Color is very light and that gray hair from the leaves really makes the tea almost to sparkle.
Lasts for at least 5 infusions (second seems to be the best). Totally recommended!

(This was a free sample generously provided to me by Teavivre. Thank you kindly Angel and the whole Teavivre Team)
Dry Leaf: Has a hay or even a malt like smell.
Wet Leaf: Has a vegetal smell think green bean like with a slight sweetness to it.
Liquor: Has a pale yellowish color and good clarity.
Taste: This tea has a light refreshing hay or even grain like taste. There is a very slight dryness to it. Along with a slight sweet note I pick up.
My Score/ Over All Opinion: 90, This is my first white tea that was not produced in a bottle by Lipton or even Snapple. I found it very enjoyable and glad I have 50 grams coming to me from my recent order I placed. I had to give it this score since I lack experience with white tea and it felt like quality in my humble opinion.

Strong aroma of melon from the brewed tea.

Melon fruity and slightly creamy note. Soft sweetness which trails into the aftertaste. Slight celery-vegetal note.