Jiuyin Lanxue | Nine-Scenting Orchid Snow — Silver Needle Scented with Fresh Orchid

Jiuyin Lanxue · 九窨兰雪

Jiu Yin — nine scenting cycles. Each round, fresh orchid blossoms are layered with the silver needle buds and slowly removed, allowing only the living fragrance to absorb into the tea. No dried petals, no added flavoring — just the quiet depth of a craft repeated nine times over.

The result is a tea of exceptional floral purity: orchid that doesn’t announce itself, but rather dissolves into the liquor, accompanying every sip from the first pour to the last.

Tasting Notes

• Dry Leaf: Slender, upright buds covered in dense silver-white down; silver-green with a luminous sheen; a scattering of pale yellow-green orchid petals visible among the buds
• Liquor: Pale yellow-green, crystal clear and softly luminous
• Aroma: Quiet, pure orchid fragrance — refined and inward, dissolved into the tea rather than sharp or perfumed on the surface
• Palate: Fresh, smooth, and gently sweet; orchid character lingers in the mouth with virtually no bitterness or astringency
• Leaf Base: Full, plump intact buds; bright, even, and lively

Steeps 4–6 rounds; the tail steeps retain a delicate trace of orchid sweetness.

The Nine-Scenting Process

Traditional orchid scenting (穨花) involves alternating fresh blossoms with tea leaves at precise humidity and temperature, then removing the spent flowers before they wilt. Repeating this nine times builds an extraordinary fragrance depth without any artificial additions — the orchid becomes part of the tea itself.

Steep Guide

Glass tumbler (recommended):

• Water: 80–85 °C (176–185 °F) — never boiling
• Leaf: 3–4 g per 200–250 ml
• Watch the buds stand upright and the orchid open as they steep

Gaiwan:

• Vessel: 100 ml gaiwan
• Leaf: 4 g
• Water: 80–85 °C
• Quick pour-and-drain each steep

⚠️ Avoid boiling water — high heat will disperse the delicate orchid fragrance.

Storage

Seal airtight, away from light and strong odors. Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration recommended to best preserve freshness and floral character.