Bai Hao Yinzhen tea
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| Type: | White |
| Other names: | Silver Needle, Yinzhen, Yin Jin, 銀針, 银针 |
| Origin: | Fujian Province, Lin Yun, Jiangxi Province and Yunnan Province, China and others |
| Quick description: | The highest grade of White tea, Bai Hao Yin Zhen, should be fleshy, bright colored and covered with tiny white hairs. |
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Bai Hao Yinzhen (Traditional Chinese: 白毫銀針, Simplified Chinese: 白毫银针, Pinyin: bái háo yín zhēn, Jyutping: baak6 hou4 ngan4 zam1) is a White tea which is chiefly produced in Fujian Province in China with only limited or negligible production outside and more commonly just known as Yinzhen. Amongst white teas this is the most expensive variety and the most prized as only top buds are used to produce the tea. Most Yinzhen is made from the Da Bai or Large White tea tree race, however there are exceptions such as the big bud teas from Yunnan.
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[edit] Processing
The very best Yinzhen are picked between March 15 and April 10 when it is not raining and only using undamaged and unopened buds, however lower graded Yinzhen may not be strict on all of these attributes. Yinzhen tea is considered to be good for health. According to the researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, white tea may be used to fight cancer as well as acting as a deterrent.
The tea is nowadays mostly grown in the Fujian Province and there are generally two major producing counties, Zheng He and Fuding.
[edit] Tasting and brewing
This tea is best prepared with below boiling water (at about 75 degrees Celsius) and produces a slightly viscous glittering pale yellow color with evidence of floating white hairs that reflect light. The flavor and fragrance should be delicate, light, fresh, and slightly sweet. Steeping should be for slightly longer than other white teas, up to 5 minutes, and the amount of tea to be used is usually higher. There are few parallels to be drawn as the taste is not similar to any other teas but Bai Mu Dan. The taste is very mild which may lead to confusion and even disappointment when tried for the first time, especially since this delicate tea is rather expensive.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Linus Pauling Institute on white tea
