Jasmine White Needle

Country of Origin:�China ��Manufacture Type: Orthodox

Grade: Hand-made White Tea� Infusion:�Pale yellow infusion with excellent Jasmine floral

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Information: Jasmine White Needle is a low caffeine white tea that is made from the youngest 1st flush (new season growth) leaves and the buds. The tea is smoothly subtle with delicate jasmine aroma. The extraordinary flavor of these Jasmine White Needle leaves is due to the time of plucking, manufacture and the fresh spring jasmine blooms. The new tea season starts in China in late March/early April (dependent on weather patterns) and it is during the first 4 weeks that the best teas are manufactured. After this initial period the quality of the tea leaves start to deteriorate rapidly and the teas become quite plain. Jasmine White Needle tea is only made from leaves and buds plucked in the first 3 weeks of the new season. Coinciding with the new tea growth, the jasmine bushes are in spring bloom. Only the most fragrant blossoms are used (from bushes that are known to produce the most fragrant flowers). These fresh flowers are layered between the tea and before long the intense and uplifting fragrance of the new jasmine blooms is passed on to the tea.

These are rules for picking top grade White Tea:

- Only picked between March 15 and April 10.

- Not picked on days that may be raining

- Not picked if the dew has not dried or if there is frost on the ground

- No purple buds allowed and the stems must not be too long or too short.

- Leaves damaged by wind, handling, insects or partially open are rejected and put into a lower grade.

The western cosmetic industry has recently discovered the benefits of white tea. In addition to its anticancer properties, tea has a calming and detoxifying effect on the skin. White tea is especially potent in that it is has three times as many antioxidant polyphenols as green or black tea and has been shown to be 100% more effective in mopping up free radicals that cause skin to sag. Some of the world�s top cosmetic companies are becoming very interested in white tea for skin creams and the result is that high grade white tea is becoming even more rare than before.

Hot tea brewing method: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180�F or 80�C. Use 15 needles per cup, let the tea steep for about 2-3 minutes for the first infusion and then strain the tea leaves (if you are using a tea infuser, take the infuser out of the cup/pot). When you finish the first cup, put the same leaves back and brew it again for the second cup.

Iced tea brewing method:� (to make 1 liter/quart):� Place 6-8 teaspoons of tea leaves into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves.� Add ice and top up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.

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