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Bai Hao Yinzhen Tea

(Silver Needle Tea)

Mainly produced in China’s Fujian Province, Bai Hao Yinzhen is a variety of White Tea. The English name is Silver Needle Tea. It got its name from the shape of the processed leaves which are twisted into a thin needle shape covered with white hairs. This is the rarest and most expensive type of White Tea since only the new buds are used in the production of the tea. The tea is grown in four counties in Fujian Province; Fuding, Zhen He, Jian Yang, and Song Xi. The tea originated in 1796 during the Qing Dynasty.

The tea is picked for a period of one month from the middle of March to April. The tea is only picked during ideal weather conditions. Since only the new unopened buds are picked, it takes a large quantity of buds to make a kilo of processed tea. Only undamaged and unopened buds are picked, which are gently separated from the stem. The leaves are then laid out in a single layer on a bamboo try and left in the sun to wither until 70% of moisture is removed. This process is done very gradual to allow slight oxidation of the buds. The tea is then roasted over charcoal. The roasting is done at very low temperature to preserve the tea buds’ white color. If the tea is roasted over too high of a temperature, the buds will turn yellow.

When brewed, the leaves will turn from white, to a light green color almost immediately upon contact with the hot water. Bai Hao Yinzhen is brewed for a long period. It is brewed for up to 5 minutes. The taste and aroma of this wonderful tea is very delicate, mild and slightly sweet with a hint of flowers, and its brewed liquid is a pale yellow color, almost like a light honey.

Legends
During China’s Yao Dynasty (2377B.C.), there was a woman named Zhong Lan who was extremely kind and always helped people. Because of her kindness people called her Mother Lan. She lived at the foot of the Tai Lao Mountain, located in present day Fujian Province’s northeast. One year, the measles that was devastating the country finally came to the village in which she was living and virtually all of the local inhabitants were sick and lots of people were dying. Mother Lan worked tirelessly to help the sick and comfort the grieving. One night when she fell asleep she dreamed that a celestial being from heaven came down to her and told her that due to her benevolence and care of others that heaven had chosen her to be the one to stop the disease and save countless lives. She was told to climb Tai Lao Mountain and she would find hidden amongst clouds and fog, a tea tree. She was to brew tea from this tree’s and administer it to the affected. The tea was Bai Hao Yinzhen. The tea worked miraculously and word of this wonderful woman and her tea reached the legendary Yao Emperor. He was moved by this woman’s benevolence moved him and he gave her the name of “Tai Mu”, which was normally only reserved for the emperor’s relatives and gods. It was an incredibly rare honor. The tea became legendary and is considered precious even to this day.

Fake Teas
Due to the tea's popularity and small amount of production, there is more fake tea on the market than genuine. The delicate aromas and flavors of the genuine tea is absent from the fake teas. Unfortunately without having tasted original Bai Hao Yinzhen it is difficult to discern the fake teas. It is important to purchase teas from a reputable dealer who has direct contact with the tea's producers.