Mellow, honeyed and quietly luxurious, our exquisite Aged Silver Needle from Fujian, China has been aged for more than five years.

History & Heritage

Unbeknownst to many tea drinkers in the West, white teas can actually be aged, much like green Pu-erh and some darker oolong teas. When stored right, white tea continues to oxidize slowly and develops a richer, more mellow taste. In Fujian, the traditional home of white tea, this is captured in an old saying: "One year tea, three years medicine, seven years treasure." The saying is folk wisdom about how the tea's value and character grow with age, not a medical claim.

Interesting Facts

• Our Aged Silver Needle is deeply mellow, with much less of the greenness of a fresh Silver Needle.

• The tea leaves have a reddish tone with just a tiny bit of green left in them.

• The infusion is a warm amber color.

• Fresh Silver Needle first appeared in Fuding, Fujian, around 1796.

Tasting Notes & Pairings

The taste is more honey-like and less floral than young Silver Needle, smooth and deep, another fine example of Fujian white tea. This is truly an extraordinary tea. Pair it with dried fruit, roasted nuts, honey cake, or aged cheeses. It is also a lovely tea to share with friends who think they know white tea, as the aged character is often a delightful surprise.

Brewing tips (general guideline): use 1–2 teaspoons (about 2–3 g) per 8 oz of water at 185–200°F, steeped 3–5 minutes. Aged white teas can be re-steeped several times. Adjust to taste.

Like every tea at Beantown Tea & Spices, Aged Silver Needle is a quality loose-leaf tea offered at an affordable price, with sample and larger sizes so you can find your favorite. Explore more in our White Tea collection, or pair it with our tea accessories.