FoodBanter.com - View Single Post

wrote:
> I got 1/8 lbs of Silver Needles for Christmas (among other
> things)...I've never had white tea before and I've been experimenting
> trying to find the right steeping conditions. The package it came in
> said to steep at 165 degrees for 3-4 minutes. I've read online that
> some people steep much hotter and for much longer. I find that when I
> double the steeping time, to about 7 minutes, the tea is smoother
> (almost milky) and less complex. I prefer it with a rawer edge. Sorry
> I'm not very good at explaining what I'm tasting, I'm relatively new to
> tea.
>
> Anyone have any advice on how best to steep Silver Needles?
>

As a rule of thumb, shorter times go with higher temperatures. Other
than that you have free reign of experimentation. For something as
delicate as Silver Needle, I wouldn't go above 180F. Personally, I like
my Silver Needle at the 160F you mentioned. I'll do a 2-3 minute steep
and then increase the length for subsequent steeping a bit. Sometimes
I'll boost the temperature 5-10F as well for the later steepings.

Steve