Riverbeki Darjeeling Silver Needle - First Flush White Tea | Low Caffeine, Loose Leaf

Silver Needle is the most prized grade of white tea in the world. It is made from a single ingredient: the unopened first bud of the tea plant, handpicked at the very start of the season before it has had a chance to open. Each bud is covered in fine silver-white down — the natural insulation the plant produces to protect its youngest growth. This is what gives Silver Needle its name, its appearance, and a great deal of its character.

Riverbeki's Darjeeling Silver Needle is first flush — the earliest harvest of the spring season. Pale gold in the cup, with a clean, delicate sweetness and a lightness that is unmistakably the bud: no bitterness, no astringency, just the quiet complexity of Darjeeling at altitude in spring. If white tea is the closest you can get to tasting the living leaf, first flush Silver Needle is the truest version of that.

In the Cup

• Colour: Pale golden, clear and luminous
• Aroma: Delicate floral with a fresh, slightly grassy sweetness
• Taste: Naturally sweet, soft, clean — with a long, lingering finish
• Caffeine: Very low — the gentlest cup in the Riverbeki range

What Makes This Silver Needle Different?

• First Flush, High-Elevation Darjeeling — Harvested once a year, in early spring, from high-altitude Darjeeling gardens. A seasonal rarity with a character that cannot be replicated outside this window.
• 100% Silver Bud Grade — Pure unopened buds. No leaves, no stems. Just the youngest, most tender growth the plant produces.
• Minimal Processing — Withered and gently dried. No rolling, no oxidation, no additives. The natural character of the bud is completely preserved.
• Rich in Antioxidants, Very Low in Caffeine — White tea retains the highest concentration of natural polyphenols and catechins of any tea type. Supports skin health, immunity, and a relaxed, clear calm. Suitable morning, afternoon, or evening.
• Single Origin, Nothing Added — Pure Darjeeling Silver Needle. The harvest speaks for itself.

Available in 50g and 100g packs. Brew at 75–80°C for 2–3 minutes. Rebrew up to three times — each steep reveals a softer, different character.