Elephant Tusk Silver Needle Tea

Description

Elephant Tusk Silver Needle Tea

Elephant Tusk Silver Needle is an extremely rare white tea. It is only grown in the Mulanje region of the African country of Malawi at altitudes of 3500 – 5000 feet above sea level The silver tips are hand selected, hand sorted, which are then naturally dried, ensuring no fermentation takes place.

Any white tea can be picked as a silver needle tea, since these “needles” are the top tips of the tea bushes before the leaves open, leaving the unfurled leaf to resemble this needle shape. Very delicate with the lightest of flavors, each variety’s flavor and look is dependent on the country, soil, elevation and other factors.

We chose this Elephant Tusk Silver needle for it’s light malt flavor, and exquisite gold color in the cup. Like drinking liquid sunshine. Beautiful.

The name is taken from Malawi’s commitment to conserve and protect the elephant herds in their country. They promote eco-tourism by taking steps to prevent poaching the elephant herds. Tourists can take part in helping to round up these magnificent creatures, and then transporting them to the Majete Wildlife Reserve in the south part of the country. The shape of this Silver Needle Tea resembles the curved shape of the elephant’s tusk, The harvest of this tea only takes place during a very limited spring harvest window.

If you like white teas, then you need to experience this Elephant Tusk Silver Needle Tea. It will add a new dimension to your tea journey, as all tea starts as these buds before they open, picked and processed into the white, green, black and other tea you know and love.

If you are a fan of white teas, please try our Midnight Blue White Tea, Cream Earl White Tea, and several others we hand-craft for your drinking pleasure.

HOT BREWING METHOD:
Ideal Brewing Temperature: 85ºC/185ºF. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil, 212ºF and let it cool down to 185ºF. Use 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz. Pour the water into the cup or teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste. Tthe longer the steeping time the stronger the tea.

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD To Make 1 Liter/Quart Pitcher:
Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh 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.