2019 Bai Hao Yin Zhen “Silver Needle” White Tea Cake

Bai Hao Yin Zhen (白毫银针, "White Hair Silver Needle") is regarded as the highest grade of white tea, consisting exclusively of tender buds. Its name comes from its long, slender shape, covered in a thick layer of silvery-white trichomes (fine hairs) that contribute to its signature delicate flavor and silky texture.

Traditionally, Silver Needle is known for its light, refreshing taste and mild, floral character, making it a popular choice for both tea connoisseurs and those new to white tea. However, this particular 2019 Bai Hao Yin Zhen has been compressed into 100g cakes and carefully aged for three years, allowing its profile to evolve. Over time, the tea has deepened in complexity, developing a mellower body, enhanced sweetness, and a richer mouthfeel compared to fresh Silver Needle. The aging process reduces its grassy notes, replacing them with soft honeyed sweetness, a hint of dried fruit, and a warm, lingering finish.

This tea comes from Diantou Village, known as "China’s No.1 White Tea Village". Despite having a lower elevation than other core white tea-producing regions in Fuding, it holds immense historical and cultural significance. Diantou is the birthplace of the Fuding Da Bai cultivar and has long served as the center of white tea trade and exchange. The village is home to some of the most respected white tea producers in the region, making it a prized origin for Bai Hao Yin Zhen.

Aged Silver Needle white tea is highly valued for its gradual transformation, as its once-delicate floral notes mature into a deeper, honey-like sweetness with subtle woody and fruity undertones. It can be enjoyed both fresh or aged, steeped gently for a light, ethereal experience or brewed stronger for a more robust and textured infusion. Some tea drinkers also choose to boil aged white tea, unlocking its fullest depth and complexity.

This 2019 Bai Hao Yin Zhen cake is an excellent choice for collectors, aging enthusiasts, or those seeking a smooth, nuanced white tea with layers of evolving flavors.