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Golden Mountain Needle
GREEN TEA 50g
GRADE – Special Handmade Needle Tea
CAFFEINE/ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Low/Very High
Cup characteristics: Slightly piquant with an almost sweet honey-like full green tea flavour.
Luxury ingredients: Green tea.
£ 25.50
In stock
PRODUCT ID: 494
Description
Golden Mountain Needle: A Rare Delicacy from Sichuan
Golden Mountain Needle comes from the central peak of Mount Meng in Sichuan, China. This tea thrives on the southern and eastern slopes, where heavy mists and volcanic soil create ideal growing conditions. The region’s unique climate helps produce tea with exceptional flavor profiles. A record from the Qing Dynasty tells of a monk named Sweet Dew, who gathered only ninety leaves each year from seven tea trees on this mountain, crafting an extraordinarily delicious brew that has become legendary.
Scarcity and Value
Despite its rarity, tea from Mount Meng is highly prized by connoisseurs around the world. Its limited production adds to its allure, making each cup a special experience. The meticulous production process is both fascinating and demanding. Tea makers pluck the leaves only during the last two weeks of March, ensuring they harvest them before the morning sun dries the misty dew. Each day, they select only new leaves that measure less than 20 mm long, ensuring the highest quality.
Artisanal Production Process
After plucking, the leaves undergo a delicate process. First, artisans lightly roll the leaves to break their cells just enough. Then, they immediately steam the leaves to halt any fermentation. Finally, skilled hands form and press the leaves before the final drying stage. This careful craftsmanship preserves the tea’s unique characteristics, resulting in a product that showcases the terroir of Mount Meng.
An Exquisite Flavor Experience
The result is an early morning green tea with a wonderfully fresh flavour and an extremely pale liquor. Golden Mountain Needle offers a delightful tasting experience that transports you to the serene slopes of Mount Meng. You’ll notice its light, grassy notes complemented by a subtle sweetness and a refreshing finish.
Enjoying Golden Mountain Needle
To fully appreciate this tea, steep it at a lower temperature to preserve its delicate flavours. Pair it with light snacks or enjoy it on its own for a calming afternoon break. Take a moment to savour this exquisite tea and enjoy your Golden Mountain moment! With each sip, you connect with the rich history and natural beauty of this remarkable region.
HOT BREWING METHOD:
Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz / 200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Milk and sugar are not recommended. Ideal Brewing Temperature: 85ºC/185ºF. For Food Safety reasons bring water to 100ºC/212ºF and let it cool down to 85ºC/185ºF.
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD
(Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher, straining the tea. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing freshly brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
(Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. A rule of thumb when preparing freshly brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today’s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.
