Basic Introduction to Qian Island Silver Needle

Qian Island Silver Needle Tea is produced along the Xin'an River in Jiande City, Zhejiang Province. The Xin'an River runs through the east and west of Jiande, originating from Huaiyu Mountain in northeastern Jiangxi and western Zhejiang. Its source river is Lushui, located within Xiuning County, Anhui Province. The Lushui basin has always been praised for its “green mountains, clear waters, and peaceful villages, with small bridges, bamboo rafts, and fish.” It boasts superior ecology and a unique environment. The unique natural environment along the Xin'an River determines that all teas produced in this region are rare treasures.

Nutritional Value

The main components of tea include tannic acid, caffeine, protein, essential oils, enzymes, pectin, vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, organic acids, etc. Fresh tea leaves contain 75-80% water and 20-25% dry matter. Modern scientific research has proven that there are as many as about 500 different compounds in tea. Some of these compounds are essential nutrients for the human body, such as various vitamins, proteins, amino acids, lipids, sugars, and mineral elements, which have high nutritional value for the human body. There are also compounds that have Health benefits and medicinal effects on the human body, such as tea polyphenols, caffeine, polysaccharides, etc.

Product Characteristics

The shape is straight like a needle, with a lively color. The tea broth is tender and bright green, with a strong aroma and a fresh, mellow taste that lingers. After brewing, it stands suspended in the cup, offering excellent drinking and viewing value.

History and Folklore

According to the “Jiande County Annals,” Jiande was established as a county in the fourth year of Huangwu (225) during the Eastern Wu period of the Three Kingdoms, with the county seat located in present-day Meicheng Town, the main production area of Qian Island Silver Needle. In “The Classic of Tea” by Lu Yu (733-804), under the section “Tea Production Areas,” it is recorded that “In the Zhexi region, Huzhou is the best, Changzhou is second, Xuancheng, Hangzhou, Muzhou, and Shezhou are third.” Jiande was part of Muzhou Prefecture since the first year of Shengong (697) in the Tang Dynasty until the third year of Xuanhe (1121) in the Northern Song Dynasty when it was renamed Yan Prefecture. This indicates that Jiande was already a famous tea-producing region in China when Lu Yu wrote “The Classic of Tea.” Given the isolation and limited information flow in ancient times, historians have speculated that the history of tea production in Jiande could be traced back several hundred years before the Tang Dynasty, which is reasonable.

Additionally, according to “Supplement to the History of the Tang Dynasty,” there was “Jiu Pit” tea from Muzhou during the Tang Dynasty. In the academic paper “Historical Overview and Remnants of Hangzhou's Tea Culture,” published by the former director of the China National Tea Museum, Wu Shengtian, in “Agricultural Archaeology” (Issue 2, 2006), it states: “Hangzhou has a long history of tea production, with solid historical records across dynasties. Nearly 21 teas have been listed in the historical records, including four from the Tang Dynasty: Jian De Fine Tea (from Jiande), Muzhou Pit Jiu (now Chunan), Tianmu Mountain Tea (Tianmu Qingding, produced in present-day Linan), and Dafang Tea (produced in Chunan and Linan).”

“New Book of Tang: Geography” (Volume 11) also records: “Muzhou Xin Ding Prefecture… In the first year of Tianbao (742), the name of the prefecture was changed. Local tribute included patterned silk, mats, white quartz, silver flowers, and fine tea.” Here, the “fine tea” refers to Jian De Fine Tea, indicating that the custom of producing tea in Jiande was widespread during the Tang Dynasty. The Jian De Fine Bud Tea produced at that time was listed among the four famous teas of the Tang Dynasty, showing the deep roots and longstanding fame of the ancient tea-producing town of Muzhou in Jiande. With the passage of time, changes in social politics and economics, and the development of tea-making techniques, most of the ancient famous teas have been phased out or lost. Only traces can be found in local histories and ancient literary collections. Fortunately, the historical tradition of tea production in Jiande has never been interrupted, allowing the Jian De Fine Bud Tea to continue to the present day, which is the historical origin of today's Qian Island Silver Needle.

Awards and Honors of Qian Island Silver Needle

It has won the titles of “Zhejiang Famous Brand” and “One of the Seven Treasures of Hangzhou,” truly making it a rare treasure among teas.