Snow Buds
Last Updated: May. 1, 2014
↑About Snow Buds
Loose-leaf snow buds from Arbor Teas, showing the downy white hairs on the buds, and the curled shape of the leaf. Photo by Alex Zorach.According to Rishi Tea, this variety was developed in the 1980’s by blending some techniques from green tea and white tea production.[1] It is usually described as having a delicate aroma; the flavor shares attributes in common with Chinese green teas, and lighter white teas.
Like silver needle, snow buds consists mostly of buds, which have a downy appearance. The tea does contain some larger leaf though, which has a bolder green color. Compared to silver needle, the leaf tends to be more curled and wiry.
Other teas named xue ya or snow buds
Both the names "xue ya" and "snow buds" can also refer to a type of yellow tea. They can also refer to several types of green teas, including ones from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and Guizhou provinces.References:
1. Snow Buds (Xue Ya), Organic White Tea, Rishi Tea Store, Retrieved Nov. 3, 2009.
↑Recent Snow Buds Reviews — RSS 
Tastes to me like a fresh, light green tea, though I do feel like the white tea undertones gives it a fuller flavor. Very smooth, no bitterness, a nice cup of pure tea. Slightly floral in aroma. I think I may have used too little leaf for the first cup because my only complaint is that I'd like a slightly stronger cup....
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A delightful, light tea that tastes to me more like a delicate green tea than a white tea. I've tried two other snow buds or Xue Ya teas, and I think this is a prime example of this style.
Dry leaf is coarse and hairy, silvery.
Brews fairly slowly, as I'd expect for an intact, whole-leafed tea. I steeped for th...
This is very similar to the Xue Ya I tried from Adagio, but I prefer this tea as it is richer and more full-bodied.
I find this to be a very grassy tea, more like green tea than white. It has a sharpness, a bite to it. The cup is quite astringent and pleasingly bitter, but the finish is sweet and has depth to it. ...
This is my favorite tea from Adagio so far. When brewed as recommended this tea is very light with a sweetness and some fruity tones. But I found it too thin this way.
I like brewing it much longer (8+ minutes) and with slightly warmer water (190-ish)...it comes out much stronger and more interesting...more grassy...
↑Top Reviewers
| Rank | User | # | % |
| 1 |  Alex Zorach | 3 | 30 |
| 2 |  Brytta Sóþword | 1 | 10 |
Review 2 teas to get on this list!
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↑Most-Rated Snow Buds
Snow Buds Green Tea
| Brand: | Arbor Teas |
| Style: | Snow Buds |
| Region: | Fujian, China |
| Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
| Leaf: | Loose |
Snow Buds 1st Flush
| Brand: | Rishi Tea |
| Style: | Snow Buds |
| Region: | Fujian, China |
| Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
| Leaf: | Loose |
