Silver Needle White Tea Tea by Chicago Tea Garden

10 Tasting Notes

Auggy 3 tasting notes

Bad news this evening has me reaching for a comfort tea. This one fits the bill nicely. Opening the canister, I get a delicious whiff of honeyed nectar. The taste is sweet, soft and gentle with a vegetal undertone and slightly tingly endnote that combine to give me a comforting cuddle. I can’t help but breathe and let go a bit as I sip.
^8.7g/16oz

about 1 year ago

160 °F / 71 °C

1 min 0 sec

I Like This

13 likes

3 comments

Silver Needle and I have had our disagreements. My first real experience with it created the (as yet) unalterable association of Silver Needle = Soy Bean Water. Not cool. So while I appreciate the free sample in my CTG order, I wasn’t all that thrilled with what the sample actually was.

But this tea could change my mind. The first steep (1min) was very delicate; I couldn’t pick out a whole lot about it. In fact, my only tasting notes were “Delicate. Sweet. Pretty aftertaste.” It was intriguing and I drank it quickly so it was obviously quite tasty, but it wasn’t enough to make me go wow.

The second steep (2min), however, was wow-worthy. It was so pretty. I actually liked it so much that I made the husband try it. (His reaction? “If that’s just a sample, I’m thinking we need to buy some.”) There is a bit of vegetal taste, but it doesn’t make me think of soy bean water. There’s also some very sweet and floral (or maybe fruity?) notes. The aftertaste is really quite gorgeous.

Steep number three (3min) is bolder, not as soft. As it cools, however, the lightness and sweetness begin to come back and bring with them an unexpected spiciness. Pepper, perhaps? It’s a bit like peppered flowers with a hint of vegetal-ness, but just a hint.

In the fourth steep (3min), the flavors start to muddy a little; it doesn’t taste as fresh and clean as the previous steeps. All of the tastes – sweet, peppery, floral, vegetal – are still there but they seem less crisp and clear.

This is definitely the type of Silver Needle I wish I had been introduced to first. I’m pretty sure that regular exposure to this one will remove any Silver Needle = Soy Bean Water associations I have. For this reason, I’m also pretty sure that whenever I place my next CTG order, a tin of this will find its way into my cart.
^{4.8g/8oz/175° → cup → teapot}

I ♥ this tea. Giving it a little bump because it is a gently sweet floral nectar of a tea. It’s simply delightful.

about 1 year ago

175 °F / 79 °C

1 min 0 sec

Batrachoid

For some reason I want sweet tea instead of savory today. I found this sample from Ellen after staring forlornly at my far too empty staple silver needle tin. Given the silver sleet drowning Illinois at the moment, it was a perfect fit for dessert and my penchant of matching a tea to the situation.
But this is quite savory a silver needle! Four steepings all tasted like jasmine broth, I’d say zucchini and konbu based with some vanilla at the start. It’s thin and has that distinct white mouthfeel seem to crave more and more. Each had undoubtedly jasmine notes, yet this isn’t scented. I had it beside a Bai Mu Dan as well, so I know it’s not me now.
Absolutely delicious, but not enough for the night. (Gestures to the aforementioned Bai Mu Dan) I’m not sure this tea would ever be satiating on its own, more of a hold over between other teas. I love it anyway.

about 1 year ago

160 °F / 71 °C

1 min 30 sec

Exquisite. Simply exquisite. Use a tiny porcelain gaiwan to brew this silver needle and heaven is yours.

6 likes

Very delicate. Sweet and vegetal. Really good quality stuff :)

about 1 year ago

160 °F / 71 °C

1 min 0 sec

I Like This

5 likes

0 comments

Ellen

I’ve tried lots of steeping times, but I just can’t bring myself to love it. I prefer Pai Mu Tan to silver needle

about 1 year ago

I Like This

3 likes

1 comment

Brian

Well, I just finished off my sample of this at work today. Got out pretty early which makes the night great!
Anywho, this tea smelt very light, I could pick up just sweet veggies. Well the tea itself reminds me of the same! Almost like snow peas with a little honey on them, the taste is really cool and refreshing.

I enjoyed this tea, but I think I would have savored it more from a gaiwan. Most of those nuances are lost when you don’t have time to relax and focus on them sadly :/

about 1 year ago

155 °F / 68 °C

1 min 0 sec

I Like This

2 likes

0 comments

Christopher McQueeny

One of the most exquisite white teas I have tasted. Sweet floral flavours with a peppery note that I find very refreshing in comparison to the almost excessively subtle flavour of some Yinzhens. Definitely use a gaiwan or a small teapot — brewing and drinking this tea in small amounts seems to bring out the flavours more clearly. Highly recommended.

about 1 year ago

170 °F / 76 °C

1 min 0 sec

I Like This

2 likes

0 comments

Anisa

Really interesting. Overall very light, but there are some very strong floral notes in there. Some sips are sweet. The aftertaste is somehow dry on the tongue, reminiscent of mint.

about 1 year ago

155 °F / 68 °C

1 min 30 sec

I Like This

1 like

0 comments

Steepster Score 8 Ratings Rate This Tea

Silver Needle White Tea

10 Tasting Notes

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