Jun Shan Silver Needle is a rare Chinese yellow tea produced in the Mount Jun area of Hunan Province. Only five ancient tea plants are known to produce this tea, planted on the south of Dong Ting Lake in the Jun Mountains.
The tea is made up of matured buds picked within 24 hours of maturity, and every bud is of the same size, with a natural coat of silver hair. What makes this a yellow tea is an extra step in processing during which the tender white-haired buds are covered with mats which, while not causing oxidation (as in the case of oolong and other darker teas), produces their characteristic pale gold color.
The crystal clear brew is pale yellow in color and the leaves stand up vertically like needles, known as the "floating forest of needles"--when brewed with water at around 85 degree. The tea should be steeped until the needles sink to the bottom of the cup. The tea has a light woody scent that is complex and rich with an intriguingly delicious flavor which combines rich fruity notes with a woody hint of smoke and a lightly sweet aftertaste. Locals in Hunan like to show off this tea by brewing it in tall glasses to best display its special characteristics.
It is particularly sweetish if brewed with spring water. If brewed at the correct temperature and steeping time, when drunk, it gives you a warm comfortable feeling as the tea travels down your throat, filling your chest with warmth. It is really a great tea and a must-try and must-have for people who are after exotic imperial rare teas.
The tea ranks fifth among the ten of the most famous Chinese teas.
100g Net.