Silverback Needles (Rwanda)

1.7 oz. (20 cups) or 6 oz. (80 cups) Named for Rwanda's famed "gorillas in the mist," Silverback Needles is our first ever Rwandan white tea. Exceedingly rare, this hand-plucked tea is made from the youngest buds grown at high altitude in the Rukeri Valley. Crafted into needles, it has light floral notes and a delicate flavor. Brewing instructions Amount: 1 teaspoon of loose tea per cup of water Temperature: 180 ̊ (When small bubbles appear at the bottom of the pot) Steep time: 2 – 3 minutes About Our Rwandan Tea Rwanda produces only one percent of the world’s tea, but its fertile volcanic soil and temperate climate make it some of the finest. Rwanda’s economy suffered a great deal during the country’s civil conflict in the 1990s, but tea has played a major role in its recovery. Our Rwandan teas are grown in the Rukeri Valley at an elevation of 5,500 to 6,500 feet. The estate from which we import was the first facility in Rwanda to introduce environmentally-friendly policies like waste recycling. It has been at the forefront of banning child labor and supporting workers’ rights and was also the first private company in Rwanda to sign a collective bargaining agreement with its workers. The factory employs sustainable agricultural practices, has an organic section, is a participant in the Ethical Tea Partnership, and the estate is Rainforest Alliance Certified.™ It is also Fair Trade certified, which means premiums and a percentage of the profits are reinvested in the local community.