An excellent green tea I like just as much is called White Monkey. It
is two leaf and a bud. Just as expensive as any Silver Needles. This
is my favorite green tea because it's taste is more white than green.
All Sow Mee I've seen looks like dried lawn leaf from my maple tree.
I remember packing the pot for any taste at all. You can't complain
about the penny/gram price.

Jim

Steve Hay > wrote in message news:<ebSmd.12867$pP5.1716@trnddc05>...
> Jason, I can vouch for Bai Mu Dan being a good starting point. I'd even
> go so far as to say the Bai Mu Dan would be better tasting than Silver
> Needle for some folks. However, I also think that a sample size of
> Silver Needle is something everyone needs to try. It has a very unique
> and delicate flavor.
>
> Steve
>
> Michael Plant wrote:
> > Tea has a nice White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) which features more leaf than bud
> > and can be slightly smokey, but also a bit sweet which is nice. The offering
> > from Fragrant Leaf features a higher percentage of bud, and is thus not
> > smokey and is more gentle. I'd stay away from Shou Mei and begin with Bai Mu
> > Dan. Either of these companies will serve you well.