Silver Needles
High-altitude buds from 1,700 m set an effortlessly poised, silvery tone. Thin mountain air concentrates sugars into elegant power — sweetness that reads as light yet deep. This first spring pick uses only tight, downy buds gathered at dawn, so the fragrance stays pure and cool. Precision withering preserves fragile aroma compounds, and the texture simply glides. You feel quiet before flavor — then honey, pear blossom, and a dusting of soft cinnamon arrive in sequence. Yunnan Silver Needles shows restraint without weakness, a calm, luminous cup with resonant length. It’s mountain stillness captured in tea, graceful and steady from first sip to last.
Craft & Origin
This batch comes from Da Si village in Fengqing, Lincang, Yunnan, China. The garden sits around 1,700 m, where cooler nights slow growth and focus sweetness. The plants are a local large-leaf tea plant variety — that phrase just means the specific kind of tea tree used. Pickers choose only the unopened bud, a strict single-bud pluck that keeps the profile clear and elegant. Harvested in March 2025, the fresh buds are spread thin for a long, gentle withering. Trays are rotated often so airflow stays even. Some time in soft, filtered light encourages floral tones; shaded rest keeps the bouquet bright. Low-heat drying follows, just enough to set the shape without singeing the tiny hairs. Finally, careful hand-sorting removes any stray leaves and late-season picks. The result is clean, snowy buds that brew with satin mouthfeel and a bright, composed finish.
Yunnan’s mountain growing environment — soil, altitude, and climate and how they shape taste — gives this tea its particular poise. The large-leaf trees lend quiet depth and a round, nectar-like center, while the high site keeps everything lifted. You taste pear blossom first, then warm honey; with air, a gentle cinnamon warmth appears. As the liquor cools, a light grain note emerges, like barley water, and a clear, alpine line holds the cup steady. Each small step in making — single-bud pluck, gentle withering, low-heat drying, and hand-sorting — protects that clarity. This is Yunnan Silver Needles made with patience and restraint; the cup finishes long, leaves the palate clean, and invites another pour.
Texture & Character
You notice texture before taste — a satin glide that feels almost weightless. The down on the buds softens edges, and minimal oxidation lets floral notes stay bright. Early sips bring pear blossom and white honey. With time, warmer tones surface: soft cinnamon, faint cereal sweetness, and a breeze of alpine cool. Nothing shouts; everything lingers. This balance is the signature of Yunnan Silver Needles — gentle structure, quiet depth, and a calm, resonant afterfeel that lasts without heaviness.
FAQ
What makes this different from coastal Silver Needle styles?
Mountain gardens in Yunnan grow on larger-leaf trees at higher altitudes. Expect a silkier feel and deeper honeyed core, while coastal versions often lean lighter and more reed-like.
Why do the buds look silvery?
Fine white hairs cover each spring bud. They scatter light and appear silvery, and they also help create the tea’s smooth mouthfeel.
Does altitude change how the tea feels?
Yes. Cooler nights and strong light at 1,700 m slow growth. Buds develop tighter aromatics and slightly denser sugars, which translate into a brighter finish and a cleaner, calmer energy.
What does “single-bud pluck” mean here?
Pickers take only the unopened tip — no leaves. This strict standard boosts uniformity, protects delicate florals, and keeps the cup clear and refined.
Why emphasize gentle withering and low-heat drying?
These steps protect fragile floral compounds. A slow, airy wither develops aroma without harshness, and low-heat drying fixes the shape while preserving the soft, honeyed finish.