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Ocean Green Needle from Hubei — jade needles, light umami, and flowers

I offer this cru from Hubei for its profile of rare elegance. Harvested in mid-April, these buds shaped into needles deliver a wonderfully smooth liquor, marked by delicate umami and floral notes.

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WEIGHT

Not sure yet? Try the 10g sample first (2–3 cups).

€16,00 EUR
€16,00 EUR
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In the Province of a Thousand Lakes, master artisans of Hubei harvest the tenderest buds in mid-April. Each leaf is rolled into a perfect needle, then dried at low temperature to capture the vegetal freshness of this Chinese spring. A jade liquor offering delicate umami and silky sweetness.

Delicate floral Light umami Fresh vegetal Rare Tea
TEMP75-80°CTemperature
TIME2 minInfusion
DOSE2,5 gPer cup
CAFFEINE25 mgLow
162.00 EUR/kg | 0.41 EUR per cup | 40 cups (100g bag)

Brewing Timer

Use my interactive online timer to respect the precise 2-minute extraction and reveal the umami without any bitterness.

Open the THÉ.ŌLOGY timer
CompositionExceptional Green Tea ─ Needle Shape

Ocean Green Needle (also called Palace Needle) is a Hubei vintage made exclusively from buds and young leaves of the first spring harvest.

Aromatic Profile

The liquor reveals a refined palette: natural sweetness, delicate umami, and fine floral notes. The texture is silky, with a very clean finish free of astringency. The infusion ranges from pale green to bright yellow-green.

The Hubei Terroir

Nicknamed the Province of a Thousand Lakes, this mountainous region in south-central China offers natural humidity and moderate temperatures. These conditions allow slow growth of tea plants, concentrating aromas in the young shoots.

ExpertiseTraditional Artisan Production

Production requires ancestral expertise. The harvest is done manually in mid-April. Each leaf then undergoes a precise process: gentle steam cooking, rolling into needle shape, then drying at moderate temperature.

Quality Criteria

  • Gentle steam cooking: It preserves the bright green color and aromatic compounds without altering the cellular structure.
  • Low-temperature drying: This distinctive technique locks in the natural aromatic complexity while maintaining the vibrant color of the leaves.
  • Final manual sorting: Each batch is inspected to keep only perfectly formed needles, ensuring visual and taste consistency.
Spring HarvestManual SortingGentle Drying
DetailsIdentity Card
Name
Ocean Green Needle (Palace Needle)
Type
Grand cru green tea in needle form
Origin
Hubei Province, China
Harvest
Mid-April (First flush)
Caffeine
Low (About 25 mg per cup)
Profile
Light umami, floral, silky, and smooth.
Format
100g bag (about 40 cups)
Moment
Meditative tasting during the day.
Storage
Store in an airtight, opaque container, away from heat.
TipsPreparation Guide

Optimal Preparation

Use filtered water between 75 and 80°C. Dose 2.5 grams of tea for 250 ml of water. Let infuse for 2 minutes. The needles will gradually unfold to reveal large intact leaves, a visual spectacle inseparable from the tasting experience.

Reinfusions

This specialty tea perfectly supports multiple infusions. For the second cup, keep the temperature but reduce the time to 1 minute 30 seconds. The third infusion can last 2 minutes 30 seconds to extract the final subtle nuances.

The art of tasting: This rare tea was created to be enjoyed pure. Adding sugar or milk would inevitably mask its silky texture and delicate umami.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Origin Why is it called Ocean Green Needle?

This name refers to the needle shape of the leaves and the beautiful jade green shades they display in the water, reminiscent of a sparkling ocean. It also evokes Hubei, the famous "Province of a Thousand Lakes."

Flavor What does Ocean Green Needle taste like?

It offers an extremely mild profile. A delicate umami (characteristic but more subtle than Japanese teas) blends with floral notes. The finish is silky, completely free of bitterness.

Drying What does low-temperature drying bring?

Unlike many Chinese green teas quickly dried at high temperatures, this gentle method preserves the bright color, the fresh spring aromas, and the integrity of amino acids (responsible for umami).

Energy Does this tea contain caffeine?

Yes, but at a very low level (about 25 mg per cup). It provides a gentle stimulation without nervousness, making it very pleasant to consume throughout the day.

Julien Salut — Artisan and Founder of THÉ.ŌLOGY A carefully selected range of exceptional teas, sourced and prepared with exacting standards. From June, visit our tea house and Kintsugi workshop on the French Riviera (Nice).
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Tout ce qu'il faut savoir pour bien choisir et préparer son thé.