BIHAR DOKE SILVER NEEDLE
SILVER NEEDLE WHITE TEA
WHITE TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Doke Tea Estate, Bihar, India
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is a refined white tea from Bihar, produced exclusively from young unopened buds. Crafted with a minimal processing approach, it preserves the natural composition of the leaf, resulting in a clean and delicate profile. The tea is valued for its gentle sweetness, soft floral notes, and a smooth, elegant texture. MORE
Gold Medal at the O-Cha Event in Japan
AROMA
Herbal, nutty
TASTE
Floral, honey
CULTIVAR: Assamica TV 25 / TV 26
HARVEST: Spring, 2024
WHITE TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE GARDENING
Doke Tea Estate, Bihar, India
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is a refined white tea from Bihar, produced exclusively from young unopened buds. Crafted with a minimal processing approach, it preserves the natural composition of the leaf, resulting in a clean and delicate profile. The tea is valued for its gentle sweetness, soft floral notes, and a smooth, elegant texture. MORE
Gold Medal at the O-Cha Event in Japan
AROMA
Herbal, nutty
TASTE
Floral, honey
CULTIVAR: Assamica TV 25 / TV 26
HARVEST: Spring, 2024
White tea technology is one of the oldest tea processing techniques on earth when tea was considered a medicine. White tea is prepared according to a special technology of natural withering and drying, while maintaining its rich internal content with substances such as active enzymes, polyphenols, etc. Due to the special cultivars, climate, quality of the tea leaves, and low level of oxidation, this type of tea provides maximum vitamins and microelements. The highest quality white teas are made from spring young buds and leaves, traditionally dried under the sun.
Chinese traditional medicine claims that white tea has a cooling nature, dissipating heat and reducing fire. White tea strengthens the immune system, reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, prevents the development of cancer cells, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is considered that after 7 years of ageing, white tea acquires healing properties and could be used as a medicine. The taste develops and becomes richer and deeper.
Chinese traditional medicine claims that white tea has a cooling nature, dissipating heat and reducing fire. White tea strengthens the immune system, reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, prevents the development of cancer cells, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is considered that after 7 years of ageing, white tea acquires healing properties and could be used as a medicine. The taste develops and becomes richer and deeper.
Learn more about BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
EASTERN (PIN CHA) ★
Temperature: 80-90 °C
Amount: 3-5 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 7+
WESTERN (INFUSION) ★
Temperature: 85 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 3
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture and loses its properties, including taste and aroma. Store it in a dry and cool place in airtight packaging. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
Learn more ABOUT TEA STORAGE
ABOUT
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is a white tea produced in Bihar, in India, crafted exclusively from young unopened buds. It is produced by Doke Tea Estate, a family-run garden known for its focus on small-batch, high-quality teas. The strict bud-only plucking standard defines the purity and refinement of the material. Doke Tea Estate was established in the 1980s by the Doke family, who were inspired by the potential for cultivating tea in the region. The estate covers approximately 200 acres and has been dedicated to producing high-quality tea since its inception. The estate's founder, Rajiv Ranjan Doke, initially experimented with various tea cultivars, ultimately settling on plants that best suited the estate's unique terroir. Over the years, Doke Tea Estate has gained recognition for its commitment to organic farming practices, sustainability, and innovation in tea production. The estate has earned numerous domestic and international accolades for its exceptional quality and distinctive flavors, establishing itself as a prestigious entity in the global tea market.
The production follows the classical white tea method, involving minimal processing without rolling or shaping. After careful harvesting, the buds undergo controlled withering and slow drying, preserving their internal structure while allowing gentle natural transformation. This approach maintains clarity and supports the development of a clean, balanced profile.
TERROIR
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is cultivated in Bihar, in India, in a region characterized by a warm subtropical climate with distinct seasonal variation. The area experiences hot summers, moderate rainfall, and relatively mild winters, creating a dynamic environment for tea cultivation. Early spring conditions, when this tea is harvested, provide a short window of cooler temperatures and balanced humidity, supporting the development of tender buds.
The terrain consists of lowland plains with fertile, alluvial soils formed by river systems. These soils are rich in minerals and organic matter, supporting steady plant growth and the formation of dense, well-developed buds. Unlike high-altitude regions, the lower elevation results in a slightly faster growth cycle, which is balanced by careful harvest timing. Microclimate plays an important role, particularly in the transition between winter and spring. Morning humidity and moderate sunlight exposure allow for a controlled development of amino acids and polyphenols, contributing to both softness and structure in the tea. The environmental conditions support a profile that balances clarity with a slightly fuller body compared to more delicate high-mountain white teas.
Another important aspect is the interaction between terroir and cultivation practices. The tea garden is managed with a focus on quality and precision, ensuring careful plucking and handling of the buds. Combined with minimal processing, this allows the tea to express both the characteristics of Bihar terroir and the refinement of bud-only white tea production.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf consists of slender, uniform buds covered with fine silvery down, showing a pale silver to light green tone and a soft, velvety texture. The aroma of the dry buds is delicate and clean, with notes of fresh hay, light florals, and a gentle honeyed sweetness. In a preheated teapot, the buds open gradually from the first infusion, releasing a refined aromatic profile where soft floral tones are supported by mild vegetal freshness and a subtle creamy nuance. As the infusion develops, the aroma becomes more rounded, combining gentle sweetness with a calm, slightly fruity undertone.
The aroma of the liquor is light and transparent, with a harmonious combination of floral notes, soft sweetness, and delicate hay-like nuances. The taste is smooth and soft, with a light body and a clean, silky texture. A subtle natural sweetness forms the core of the profile, supported by light floral and slightly fruity tones with almost no astringency. The structure remains balanced and approachable, emphasizing clarity and elegance. The aftertaste is clean and moderately persistent, with a soft returning sweetness and a refreshing, gentle finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a delicate sweet and floral aroma remains, leaving a quiet and refined final impression.
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is a white tea produced in Bihar, in India, crafted exclusively from young unopened buds. It is produced by Doke Tea Estate, a family-run garden known for its focus on small-batch, high-quality teas. The strict bud-only plucking standard defines the purity and refinement of the material. Doke Tea Estate was established in the 1980s by the Doke family, who were inspired by the potential for cultivating tea in the region. The estate covers approximately 200 acres and has been dedicated to producing high-quality tea since its inception. The estate's founder, Rajiv Ranjan Doke, initially experimented with various tea cultivars, ultimately settling on plants that best suited the estate's unique terroir. Over the years, Doke Tea Estate has gained recognition for its commitment to organic farming practices, sustainability, and innovation in tea production. The estate has earned numerous domestic and international accolades for its exceptional quality and distinctive flavors, establishing itself as a prestigious entity in the global tea market.
The production follows the classical white tea method, involving minimal processing without rolling or shaping. After careful harvesting, the buds undergo controlled withering and slow drying, preserving their internal structure while allowing gentle natural transformation. This approach maintains clarity and supports the development of a clean, balanced profile.
TERROIR
Bihar Doke Silver Needle is cultivated in Bihar, in India, in a region characterized by a warm subtropical climate with distinct seasonal variation. The area experiences hot summers, moderate rainfall, and relatively mild winters, creating a dynamic environment for tea cultivation. Early spring conditions, when this tea is harvested, provide a short window of cooler temperatures and balanced humidity, supporting the development of tender buds.
The terrain consists of lowland plains with fertile, alluvial soils formed by river systems. These soils are rich in minerals and organic matter, supporting steady plant growth and the formation of dense, well-developed buds. Unlike high-altitude regions, the lower elevation results in a slightly faster growth cycle, which is balanced by careful harvest timing. Microclimate plays an important role, particularly in the transition between winter and spring. Morning humidity and moderate sunlight exposure allow for a controlled development of amino acids and polyphenols, contributing to both softness and structure in the tea. The environmental conditions support a profile that balances clarity with a slightly fuller body compared to more delicate high-mountain white teas.
Another important aspect is the interaction between terroir and cultivation practices. The tea garden is managed with a focus on quality and precision, ensuring careful plucking and handling of the buds. Combined with minimal processing, this allows the tea to express both the characteristics of Bihar terroir and the refinement of bud-only white tea production.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaf consists of slender, uniform buds covered with fine silvery down, showing a pale silver to light green tone and a soft, velvety texture. The aroma of the dry buds is delicate and clean, with notes of fresh hay, light florals, and a gentle honeyed sweetness. In a preheated teapot, the buds open gradually from the first infusion, releasing a refined aromatic profile where soft floral tones are supported by mild vegetal freshness and a subtle creamy nuance. As the infusion develops, the aroma becomes more rounded, combining gentle sweetness with a calm, slightly fruity undertone.
The aroma of the liquor is light and transparent, with a harmonious combination of floral notes, soft sweetness, and delicate hay-like nuances. The taste is smooth and soft, with a light body and a clean, silky texture. A subtle natural sweetness forms the core of the profile, supported by light floral and slightly fruity tones with almost no astringency. The structure remains balanced and approachable, emphasizing clarity and elegance. The aftertaste is clean and moderately persistent, with a soft returning sweetness and a refreshing, gentle finish. In the empty cup after drinking, a delicate sweet and floral aroma remains, leaving a quiet and refined final impression.
WHITE TEA
Explore more White Teas from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.