Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea

Loved for its intense aroma, this fine white tea is born from the union of the beautiful Silver Needle leaves naturally infused with jasmine flowers and essential oils. The ritual harvesting of the first spring buds and the Silver Needle processing make it one of the rarest types of tea in the world, historically reserved for the Chinese imperial family. The large, silvery buds, still unopened, are hand-picked at dawn, on a few days a year, and then left in the sun to dry. They have soft tips, covered in a soft down that makes them shiny and velvety. During the drying phase, the tea leaves are mixed with jasmine, allowing the fragrance and flavor of the flowers to instill in the long silver-green buds. This creates an infusion with inebriating aromatic floral and slightly citrus notes. When tasted, it gives a very delicate, soft and sweet flavor, with a light and silky consistency. Its light golden color, with pink highlights that evoke champagne, complements its refined qualities, making this jasmine tea a little luxury for tea time.

What is Jasmin Silver Needle white tea used for?

Thanks to the natural way in which they are produced, white teas contain a good amount of antioxidant compounds and polyphenols, useful for our well-being. The reduced processing of the leaves allows for the preservation of the greatest number of antioxidants, compared to other teas, including catechins, flavonoids and tannins. These molecules act in the body, helping it to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals; counteracting the aging process and supporting the immune system. At a digestive level, this tea supports normal intestinal function and the development of healthy bacteria in the intestine, particularly useful after a heavy meal. White tea promotes body weight balance thanks to polyphenols, during the burning of fat, and caffeine which stimulates the metabolism. In addition, to improve the silhouette, it facilitates diuresis and the drainage of excess fluids, useful against water retention and the feeling of swelling. Again thanks to its minimal processing, this white tea can partly answer the question "which tea has the least theine?" The low caffeine / theine content of Jasmine Silver Needle allows you to enjoy it at different times of the day. In any case, the presence of more or less caffeine depends on the type of infusion (time, quantity) and as a rule, leaf tea should be infused for a short time to reduce the release of caffeine. Jasmin Silver Needle white tea can help as a tonic and for good mood, also thanks to its natural anti-stress scent, but without the exciting effects of coffee. The aroma of jasmine relaxes, promoting calm and concentration, useful for enjoying tea in moments of meditation and relaxation.

Where can you find Jasmine Silver Needle white tea?

This particular tea, rare and precious, is not easy to find in normal supermarkets or shops. You can buy it in the Natura d'Oriente e-shop, which offers the online sale of loose leaf white tea, in different varieties including the Chinese Jasmine Silver Needle. We select our teas according to high quality criteria, packaging them in practical freshness-saving packs of 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 150 g.

How to prepare white jasmine tea

Use water at a temperature of about 70 °C. If the leaves are infused with water that is too hot, they may be bitter and not release their aromatic properties to their fullest. Place about 3-5 grams of the mixture in a cup (250 ml) (strainer or infuser), depending on your preference for strength. Pour the water into the cup, leaving the infusion for 2 to 3 minutes - a short steeping time to preserve the flavor.

Where does white jasmine tea come from

Literally the Silver Needle is a tea that comes from the "silver needles", or rather from its long and silvery buds. It is a Chinese tea known by the name of Bai Hao Yin Zhen, it is historically associated with the most precious imperial tea, which was harvested in spring in the coastal province of Fujian, in southeastern China. Tradition has it that it is composed of the buds of the first flowering of a sub-variety of the local Camellia sinensis. These buds are collected before the leaves open, showing themselves not yet open, with a silver and white color - a soft whitish down. Silver Needle is a prized tea because the harvest lasts a very short period, only a few days in spring, and is linked to the weather conditions of the year.
The downy buds are then dried in the sun, spread out on bamboo mats, or in temperature-controlled environments. During this period, the enzymes in the leaves produce sugars and the amino acid theanine, responsible for the fresh andsweet white tea. They are then placed on a bed of fresh jasmine flowers, flavored for several consecutive nights - usually 5. The flowers are collected and placed in contact with the leaves at night and then separated in the morning, to be replaced for a new blend. With this method, a harmonious infusion is created between the white tea buds and the aroma of jasmine, with unique relaxing and aromatic effects. It is a tea suitable for both meditation and important occasions. In northern China, in fact, it is customary to serve jasmine tea as a welcome to guests.

What are the side effects of white tea

It is advisable to drink this tea in moderate doses, as there may be side effects associated with the consumption of this infusion. Some are due to the caffeine content, which although reduced is still present in this tea: nervousness, irritability, difficulty falling asleep, accelerated heartbeat, headache, diarrhea, heartburn. Also, an excessive dose of white tea can trigger tannin side effects such as nausea and vomiting. It is important to drink this tea in moderation (1-2 cups per day).