Steenbergs Organic Silver Needle Tea

Organic Silver Needle is Steenbergs best white tea. Harvested once a year in late March to early April in Fujian, the leaves are fabulous – long, pale green buds covered in a delicate silver down. Silver Needle has a delicate and very subtle flavour profile – slight astringency with a herby sweetness.

Tea brewing: into warmed teapot, put 1 teaspoon per cup. Bring freshly drawn water to the boil, allow to cool a bit (70C) then pour over the white tea. Steep for 5 or more minutes.

That’s the standard way, but we think it best to go off-piste – get a gaiwan or a small tea cup, fill it about one-third with leaves, pour on some cold water to cover the leaves. This prepares the leaves for the infusion. Boil a kettle then pour onto the leaves and gentle swirl the water around for 15 seconds, then pour the water into a cup and drink. Repeat 2 or 3 times but infuse each time for a bit longer.

Tasting notes: a light green infusion, with a scent that’s delicately honeyed, with a taste that is soft and velvety with a slight astringency. Bright, mellow and delicate – but you need to be in the moment.