SILVER BALLS GREEN
(Artisan Handcrafted China Green Tea)
Country of Origin: China
Region: Fujian Province
Shipping Port: Fuzhou
Grade: Artisan Handcrafted
Altitude: 1500 - 4000 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Handmade and hand tied.
Cup Characteristics: Light liquoring with excellent green tea flavor.
Infusion: Very light green
Ingredients: Luxury green tea.
Information:
Every now and then one comes across a tea that is quite unique. This is one of these teas. After the first 3 weeks of the new season the tea used to produce the silver balls grows (but this special tea only grows until May 10th). Over the years special bushes which have a higher than usual incidence of mottled and ‘white’ leaves have been cloned and planted in one location of the tea estate. The leaves of these bushes grow longer more quickly and are covered with hairy white down giving them a silver appearance. The top two leaves and the bud are plucked. The long leaves are hand rolled lengthwise- one by one! A group of them are tied together, the leaves in the middle of the cluster are clipped short (being careful to leave the outer leaves full length) and then the long outer leaves and molded over the short clipped middle leaves into the shape of a ball. The silver balls are then wrapped in an individual mesh covering and steamed to halt any possible fermentation. The mesh is then removed and the silver balls are re-wrapped in special paper so when they dry the beautiful round shape is maintained. When the tea is infused the silver ball ‘blooms’, so to speak, and final shape is that of a chrysanthemum flower.
Green tea, above all others has a very delicate flavor, which is easily marred by the impurities in the water used for brewing it. In the Tang and Ching dynasties water filters were not available and teas were often as expensive as gold. In those days the wealthy tea drinker would bring water from afar (sometimes up to 1000 miles away). Lu Yu the ‘Tea God’ declared: Mountain spring water is best, river water is next best, well water is the poorest.
There are many legends of the origin of tea. One such legend says that the founder of the Zen Buddhism cult, Saint Bodhidharma, once fell asleep during his meditation. When he awoke, he was so embarrassed that he decided to cut off his eyelids as an act of penance. ‘Cast to the ground, the severed eye lids grew into a tea plant which, when brewed, could banish sleep”.
Hot tea brewing method: Place one ball in your teapot (ideally clear glass for maximum visual effect), and add boiling water. (Very hot or boiling water allows the ball to open, which allows you to see the art of tea better). Infuse until the ball is fully open, usually about 5 minutes. Watch the long leaves unfurl to reveal the hidden flower treasure. Note: Do not remove the leaves after infusing - contemplate life and enjoy a rare Chinese floral Tea. If you wish to have another cup of tea, simply pour more water on the leaves and infuse for another 1-3 minutes.
Iced tea-brewing method: Not generally consumed iced but if you do, (to make 1 qt/lt) Place 3 Silver Ball pods in a heat resistant pitcher. Add 1¼ cups freshly boiled water. Steep 5 min. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with ice water. Add steeped tea and fill with ice water. Garnish with 1 opened Silver Ball and sweeten to taste.
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