On our last day of our 2026 buying trip, we took a boat on a lake in Southern Hunan to MaiDuishi Island. It is an indigenous Yao people island, and we found this unique tea. The silver tips give a sweetness that balances the vegetal flavors that remind us of zucchini.
That boat trip to the Yao island was worth every minute—this tea has a gentle sweetness from the silver tips that lingers in a really pleasant way. I’ve already brewed it three times this week and it holds up beautifully each steep.
Silver tips like these are usually just for show, but these actually make the brew noticeably sweet with a soft, clean finish. I tried it plain and then with a tiny bit of honey, and both worked. This is the kind of tea that makes you slow down and sip instead of gulping.
The silver tips really stand out here, lending a natural sweetness that lingers nicely after each sip. I picked this up on a whim after reading about its origin, and while the flavor is a touch delicate for my usual taste, it's become a pleasant afternoon ritual.