Brewed at low temperature on longer steeps, this tea tastes like a summer day in a hay field. I feel a sweet, cooling sensation after drinking the tea. Really lovely and subtle. Very interesting to compare to the Imperial Grade Silver Needles (Jinggu) because both teas are sweet, but the qualities of sweetness of the two are quite different. This tea’s sweetness has a mineral quality, whereas the Jinggu is floral, reminds me of honeysuckle.

White tea is what got me into loose leaf traditional brewing when I was younger. This Fuding terroir Silver Needle reminds me exactly of the one I fell in love with around 10 years ago at an open market in L.A. Only now have I re-discovered it! The taste is extremely pleasant and has an exquisite completeness. With lower temp, enough leaf, and longer steep time, you'll get this wonderful, almost meaty umami sensation that makes you feel like Chinese royalty. Its "chi" is totally non-disturbing, which is something I really appreciate, being a tea drinker with a sensitive head/stomach. I was a fool for only buying 100g.

Really enjoyable and mild white tea, classic yin zhen profile with dominant hay and dry grass taste in the mouth and some melony notes. Steeped 11 times in a gaiwan and I still managed to get two excellent other western style infusions!

I've mentioned in a few of my other reviews that there are certain teas I use as a standard when judging others in that category. For Baihao Yinzhen, this is it. This may not really seem impressive at first glance, but I have a lot of different Baihao Yinzhens. This one is not good if you are looking for a soft, subtle cup of tea. If that's what you like, I think one of Yunnansourcing's Jinggu Baihao Yinzhens may be better suited. Rather, this one is up front and forthright with its flavor and aroma. It definitely has a bit of a strange, almost smoky aroma similar to what Erik said he tasted, but I didn't notice that in steeping it. I use 7g per 150ml, a bit more than i normally do for gong-fu, and i use 10 second steeps - eventually increasing for up to 30 seconds after 10 or so steepings. The flavors present vary widely, but all come together almost solely in the body of the tea to swirl together and pack quite a punch - then, it fades. But, the build-up to this main body is evident, and the flavor is very vivid, honey-thick, and pleasant. Notes of custard, meringue, and a hint of sarsaparilla are present. A small hint of wild greens and a quick punch of minerality nearer to the back of the tongue (especially in later steepings, where they will move more towards the tip) are also present. It's a very sweet brew, but sugarcane and honey aren't really present in the flavor and no sweetness collects itself on the tip of your tongue. Instead, it's a more robust, bold, "refined" sweetness. A lack of bitter, in a way. All in all, i view this as a very complex tea that presents itself in a very simple manner, with a great ability to go on for many steeps. It's very easy to work with, and perfect for both daily drinking and more ceremonial use. With that said, the flavor definitely isn't for those who prefer a bold Bihao Yinzhen and i would suggest picking up a sample before getting a larger quantity. Regardless, I'd highly suggest any fan of white teas to try this out.

The Fuding "Bai Hao Yin Zhen" Silver Needles White Tea * Spring 2018 has some flaws which I find distracting. There's an almost smoky flavor in the early steeps and a bit of late bitterness. I wanted to like it, but the more I drink it, the more the flaws stand out.