Jing Gu White Pekoe Silver Needle 2014

I have this theory that silver needles are always good. Thus far, I have been correct.

I’m hoping to continue this experiment :)

I really like me some tea needles; gold or silver.

Sipdown (117)!

Thank you Brian and 221Tea for the sample. I put off trying it for a while because I really, really didn’t want to be the first one to review it. I always feel so nervous when I’m the first one reviewing a straight tea here on Steepster because I definitely have a little less exposure to straight blends so I’m not as confidant in my ability to describe them accurately.

And like I sorta feared I would; I definitely had a weird experience with this one. The three most poignant notes that I tasted were melon, cucumber, and hay. The melon, in particilar, was more of a green melon taste; like a just slightly under ripe honeydew? I know I’ve seen those used to describe some white teas before so maybe I’m not crazy for picking up on those flavours but at the time of drinking this blend it seemed odd to me how pronounced they were – in particular the melon flavour, and how poorly they meshed together. Every sip felt at least mildly conflicted.

And then there was the really weird part; and this flavour I’m not so sure I have a good word to describe it with. But basically it was like a simultaneous sour and “musty attic” flavour. Definitely did not work with me, and seemed rather out of place. Does anyone have a word for that flavour/experience with a white like this one tasting that way? I felt very lost.

On the whole; I just couldn’t get behind this one. Maybe it’s my lack of experience with straight whites, but the flavours in this were too sharp for me and clashed – and I wasn’t able to relax with my cup at all. It wasn’t bad, and I drank the whole mug, but…

I just felt uncomfortable doing so?