2026 Wild Silver Needle

A wild-mountain Zhenghe Silver Needle from scattered Da Bai bushes on Fozi Mountain, producing a thick, sweet liquor with wildflower and honey notes.

Tea Profile

Tea Type	White Tea (Bai Cha 白茶)
Style	Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen 白毫银针)
Origin	Fozi Mountain, Zhenghe County, Fujian Province, China
Altitude	Approximately 800 metres
Harvest	29 March 2026
Cultivar	Da Bai 大白
Garden Type	Wild mountain garden (荒山)
Picking Standard	Tender buds

Origin and Character

On Fozi Mountain, the tea bushes grow scattered among native trees and mountain plants rather than in uniform rows. The shaded environment and difficult terrain make the harvest slow and selective.

Only the tender buds are gathered, and the fresh leaf loses much of its weight during withering and drying. The finished tea retains a substantial texture, combining the delicacy expected of Silver Needle with the deeper sweetness associated with Zhenghe material.

Aroma and Flavour

Aroma	Wildflowers, honey and soft dried grasses
Liquor	Clear golden yellow
Flavour	Deep sweetness with gentle floral and meadow notes
Mouthfeel	Velvety, full and smooth
Finish	Pure, calm and persistent

✦ The Astraluna Perspective ✦

Silver Needle is often described through delicacy, but this tea also has depth. Its wild-mountain origin gives the liquor a fullness that sits beneath the soft flowers and honey, allowing the session to feel both ethereal and grounded. We chose it for that rare balance. It invites close attention, yet never demands it, unfolding with the quiet assurance of something shaped slowly by its landscape.

Brewing Notes

Method	Leaf	Water	Time
Gongfu	4–5 g per 100 ml	85–90°C	20 sec, then extend gradually
Western	3 g per 250 ml	85–90°C	3–4 min

For a complete method, read How to Brew White Tea.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry and odour-free place with gentle protection from humidity. With suitable storage, Silver Needle can develop softer honeyed and dried-floral notes over time.