I normally don't touch white teas. But someone told me that if I wish to broaden my horizons in Chinese teas, I simply have to try it. Today while I was buying a bottle of Chimay at the Whole Foods, I stopped in to get a can of Rishi's Silver Needle White Tea.
Neelix in Star Trek Voyager once stated that his culture found the history of food and drink just as appealing as consuming it and making it. I did some research into white tea to discover that it was en vogue in the 18th century (Early to mid Qing?) White tea contains the buds and young leaves of the tea plant. Supposedly, according to Wikipedia, they are higher in caffeine than green tea leaves. Imagine that.
So I put some in the gaiwan, brewed it up at 185F, at about 5 mins (steeping suggestion on the can).
I immediately upon opening up the can get notes of honeysuckle and magnolia, and I'm transported instantaneously to summer vacations to New Orleans. The aroma isn't as prominent when steeped, but it still retains the nuances. After the second and third steepings, I began to notice the aromas becoming more vegetal.
Taste is sweet and vegetal, almost spinachy in character, with a buttery finish.
Anyone ever get around to trying white tea?
Neelix in Star Trek Voyager once stated that his culture found the history of food and drink just as appealing as consuming it and making it. I did some research into white tea to discover that it was en vogue in the 18th century (Early to mid Qing?) White tea contains the buds and young leaves of the tea plant. Supposedly, according to Wikipedia, they are higher in caffeine than green tea leaves. Imagine that.
So I put some in the gaiwan, brewed it up at 185F, at about 5 mins (steeping suggestion on the can).
I immediately upon opening up the can get notes of honeysuckle and magnolia, and I'm transported instantaneously to summer vacations to New Orleans. The aroma isn't as prominent when steeped, but it still retains the nuances. After the second and third steepings, I began to notice the aromas becoming more vegetal.
Taste is sweet and vegetal, almost spinachy in character, with a buttery finish.
Anyone ever get around to trying white tea?