Bai Hao Yin Zhen, 白毫銀針

 

According to one legend, during ancient times Bai Hao Yin Zhen was gifted to common folk by the heavens. For a long time the tea bushes were guarded by a fierce black dragon that wouldn’t let anyone get near the bushes. But one day a brave young girl was able to trick the dragon and obtain the magical plant. It turned out that the tea made from this tea bush could cure different illnesses and had an amazing flavour.

The first written mention of Bai Hao Yin Zhen (silver needles) dates back to 1976. The tea consists of tea buds (tips) covered in small silver hairs or fluff. They are harvested in the spring time and then dried by way of a long, complex drying process. Bai Hao Yin Zhen is not thermally processed which allows the tea to preserve it’s initial taste and aroma. This tea is produced in Fujian at a height of 1000 m., it is considered to be rare and expensive.

Bai Hao Yin Zhen is best brewed using water at a temperature of 75-85°C. The liquor is almost transparent with a gentle yellow hue. Steeping time should be 10 to 20 seconds, tea liquor should not get heavily infused. Bai Hao Yin Zhen can be brewed in glass or porcelain teaware, when brewed in glass teaware you will be able to enjoy the “dance” of the tea. But if you are looking to spice things up, you can try brewing it in a Yixing teapot.