Jasmine Silver Needles

Every time I open an ATR sample, I am saddened to realize I won’t be able to get more of it if I want to. My sample collection has outlived the American Tea Room. Sigh.

I am also somewhat surprised that there’s not an entry for this tea already, given the number of ATR fans around here. But I tried a number of different searches and couldn’t come up with this. Sometimes the search algorithm and I don’t see eye to eye, so I apologize if I’ve just added to the duplication problem.

I steeped according to the directions on the packet. This was a never-before-opened packet, and the jasmine scent that comes out of it upon opening is remarkable.

If you read my notes at all, you know I am a huge jasmine fan. I have not met a jasmine green, white, or oolong tea that I didn’t like at least somewhat. With black tea, jasmine can get a bit dicier for me. But then, I don’t encounter that many black jasmine teas.

Moving along. The aroma of the steeped tea is wonderfully, naturally, jasmine. Light, but not too much so. Juicy, but not pasted on. It has depth, but isn’t artificial. It’s really lovely. The tea is golden yellow verging on amber, with a pinkish tint, and clear.

The flavor is the smell made taste-able. To the adjectives above, I’d add that there’s a subtle earthiness to the flavor that comes from the tea base and that gives it even more depth. And also, refreshing — there’s a clean, aromatic, freshening effect in the mouth. The aftertaste is first sweet, then has a slightly bitter downturn, but only slightly.

It’s one of the best jasmine white teas I’ve had. I’m so sad that it is no longer available.