2026 Sun-Dried Yunnan Silver Needles White Tea

While the original Silver Needle white tea comes from Fujian Province's smaller-leaf tea plants, this Yunnan version is made from buds of the region's large-leaf trees, the same varietal used for puerh. That difference shows up in the cup: fuller body, richer sweetness, and more robust character compared to Fujian's delicate, subtle style. The buds come from old-growth trees in Baiying's high elevation forests in Lincang, where mist and clouds move over the gardens, naturally shading the plants from direct sun and keeping them moist. This high altitude environment is considered ideal for producing high-quality tea. After harvest, the buds are laid out on bamboo trays to wither and dry naturally over several days. This minimal processing preserves the tea's natural compounds and creates smooth, clean character with complex floral aromatics. Harvested in early spring before the Qing Ming Festival in April, these single buds are picked when their amino acid content is highest, contributing to natural sweetness and pronounced floral notes. The light apricot-colored liquor is both rich and delicate, with layers that unfold over multiple infusions. March 2025 harvest, free from agrochemical inputs.