Golden Needle Tea
The people of China have consumed tea for thousands of years. Tea is also used as a medicine in China. However, the very first use of tea is unknown. China is considered to be the birth place of tea. Laozi, a Chinese philosopher portrayed tea as the elixir of life. He described tea as if it were the froth of liquid jade. According to the legend, Laozi was very saddened to see the degradation of society. So he was journeying to the west, towards the unoccupied territories. At the borders of China, he was offered a beverage by a customs inspector called Yin His. This beverage was nothing but tea.
Golden needle tea is actually a black tea (which is also known as red tea in China). It is made of pure buds from very old tea trees of Yunnan which is a province in China. The leaves of these ancient trees are of amber gold in color. They are long and narrow in shape and they have golden tips. Hence the tea has been named as Golden Needle Tea. These ancient trees are found in Tai Nu Mountain of Yunnan province.
Golden Needle Tea is a unique and relatively new tea. It has a rich full bodied taste and a rose flavor with a long lasting fresh aroma. In China, Golden Needle Tea is also called as Panyong Congou Needle Tea.
Early spring tea prepared of delicate silky tips, a fragile needle tea is rich with golden hair. Golden Needle Tea is one of the finest black tea of Fujian (which is a province in China). Its leaves are shaped like gleaming golden needles. Golden Needle Tea is carefully plucked. Only one leaf and a bud are picked during the plucking. Then the Golden needle Tea is oxidized and while it is processed, the tea gives out sharp and cutting sweet fluid which gives the tea its full bodied taste and a rich honey flavor.
Glittering golden tea buds produce a crispy and full-bodied black tea (red tea in China). It is prepared of fermented white tea leaves. Most red and black teas are a result of a variety of green tea bush. Golden Needle Tea is a result of a white tea plant. Hence it attains a smoother flavor.
Golden Needle Tea was first discovered in 1851 in Tanyang (which is another province in China). Golden Needle Tea is also known as Panyong Congou. It was an expensive tea and only rich nobles and royalty could afford the tea. It soon became a favorite of the upper class.
The Best Golden Needle Black Tea is made up of new and pure tea buds which are harvested every year from the ancient trees of Yunnan. Utmost care is taken during the fermentation of the tea. The processing and fermentation is done very delicately and due to this the tea has an amazing leaf style and has a smooth sweet flavor with a dash of starchy flavor like that of raisins or yam.
To prepare Golden Needle Tea, all you have to do is add one table spoon of tea leaves to every ounce of boiling water. Boil the brew for about four minutes. Add sugar according to your taste. And enjoy the unique taste of the Golden Needle Tea.
- Seema Khinnavar
Tags: beverages, china, chinese beverages, chinese drinks, chinese tea, drinks, tea
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