Silver Tips vs Golden Tips: What's the Difference?

Same bud, different journey

Both teas start the same way: the unopened bud at the tip of the tea shoot, picked by hand. What happens next decides whether the tea ends up silver or gold.

For silver tips, the buds are withered and dried with as little change as possible, so they stay silvery-white. For golden tips, the buds are allowed to oxidise before drying, which turns them golden-copper and deepens the flavour.

Side by side

• Colour of the dry tea — silver tips: silvery-white with fine down; golden tips: golden to copper
• Tea type — silver tips: white tea; golden tips: oxidised (usually grouped with black tea)
• Cup — silver tips: pale gold, light and delicate; golden tips: golden-amber, rounder and smoother
• Water temperature — silver tips: 80–85 °C; golden tips: 85–90 °C
• Milk — not recommended for either; both are best enjoyed plain

Which should you choose?

If you like light, subtle and naturally sweet teas, start with silver tips. If you prefer a little more body while keeping the smoothness of a bud tea, choose golden tips. Both make an exceptional gift for tea lovers, and both are in short supply because every bud is picked by hand.

Frequently asked questions

Which has more caffeine, silver tips or golden tips?

Both come from tea buds and both contain caffeine. The amount in your cup depends far more on how much leaf you use and how long you steep it than on the tea type.