What is white tea?
White tea is related to green and black tea. All these teas come from the Camellia senensis plant. White tea is recognizable by its light color and mild flavor with a floral note. You can smell the flowers while drinking them, making it almost seem like you're tasting them.
Tea leaves
The difference between green and white tea lies in the tea leaves used. For white tea, only the top leaves of the flower buds are used, before they are fully developed. The leaves then still have a downy appearance and are white/silver in color.
When is white tea harvested?
White tea is always harvested in the spring. As with green tea, fermentation (exposure to oxygen, which causes oxidation) is interrupted. The leaves oxidize only briefly before they are dried. The tea leaves are dried for a shorter time for white tea than for green tea. The flavor of white tea depends on the region where it is grown. White tea was long known only in China, but is now also produced in Sri Lanka and India.
Where can I buy white tea?
White tea isn't as well-known as green and black tea, but you can find it in most stores. (White tea pairs well with flavors like jasmine, bilberry, lemon blossom, and mint.)
Is white tea healthy?
Since a scientific study revealed that white tea is even healthier than green tea, demand for white tea has skyrocketed. White tea is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that renew cells in our bodies. Our bodies contain oxidants. Oxidants break down cells and cause our bodies to age. The antioxidants in tea slow the aging process by promoting the production of new cells.
For strong teeth and bones
And that's not the only benefit. White tea also contains a lot of fluoride, which keeps your bones and teeth strong and healthy. It's also low in caffeine. It has the lowest caffeine concentration of all tea and coffee varieties. A cup of coffee contains 80 to 120 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of white tea contains only 5-10 milligrams. White tea also contains vitamin C.
How do you make white tea?
White tea is best prepared with water that isn't too hot. Too hot water will burn the leaves, resulting in a bitter taste. The optimal water temperature is 75 to 85 degrees Celsius, and the tea is best enjoyed when steeped for 3 to 4 minutes. Want to learn more about how to brew the best cup of tea? Then read the blog post " How long should you steep tea?"
