Tea Type: White Tea
White Tea
Welcome to the world of white tea! If you're looking for a delicate and refined tea experience, look no further. White tea is made from the young leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant and is known for its subtle flavor and delicate aromas.
Unlike other teas, white tea is minimally processed, which preserves its natural antioxidants and nutrients. This makes it a healthier choice for those looking to incorporate tea into their daily routine.
In addition to its health benefits, white tea has a delicate, light flavor that is perfect for those who prefer a subtle, refined taste. Whether you're sipping on a cup of white tea in the morning to start your day off right or enjoying a relaxing evening brew, white tea is sure to be a delightful addition to your tea collection.
Read on to find more interesting details about white tea.
The Benefits of White Tea
Like other tea types, white tea has some health and general benefits, making it a popular choice among many tea lovers. Some of these benefits are:
- Rich Antioxidants: This tea has a beneficial type of polyphenols known as catechins. This acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps to protect the cells from damage by free radicals. This further decreases the possibility of other health complications and helps improve the quality of life.
- Minimizes the Risk of Heart Disease: According to American Heart Association, about 46% of the American population live with one heart condition or the other. This is a ticking bomb that has gotten many people worried. White tea has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease. The polyphenols in white tea help to relax blood vessels and boost immunity, thereby improving overall cardiovascular health.
- Aids Weight Loss: White tea is just as effective as the others regarding weight loss or burning fat. This is because of its caffeine and catechins; these two compound work synergetically to boost metabolism and aid weight loss. Read the full article Does white tea have caffeine?
- Protects the Teeth: White tea helps to protect the teeth from bacteria. This is possible with the help of the fluoride, tannins, and catechins it contains. Fluoride prevents dental cavities. It does this by ensuring that the teeth' surface can resist acid attacks by bacteria and sugar. Catechins are plant antioxidants that disrupt the spread of plaque bacteria. Tannins have a similar makeup and function as the former. United, these three components help to strengthen the teeth. Also, they help to fight against harmful stuff like sugar and bacteria.
- Suppresses Cancer Growth: According to studies, white tea contains anticancer components. These compounds can fight cancer cells and prevent them from spreading. However, note that white tea is not a replacement for cancer treatments.
- Reduces the Risk of Insulin Resistance: Insulin is an important hormone in the body. It transports nutrients from the bloodstream to the cells. Due to various factors, some people stop reacting to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is linked to many serious illnesses. Like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.
- Protects Against Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a medical condition that makes the bones porous, less dense, and hollow. This health issue usually results in fractures equal to lower life quality. Fortunately, some compounds in white tea like can fight the risk factors. Hence, they can subdue the cells that break down bones.
- Prevents Skin Damage: Skin damage is caused by certain factors, leading to skin aging. While it is normal for the skin to wrinkle and become looser as people grow older, old age isn’t the only cause. The external factors include the sun’s UV rays which may cause inflammation over time. Internal factors include enzymes like collagenase, elastase, and free radicals; however, the polyphenols in white tea help to protect the skin from damage.
- Protects Against Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases: EGCC (epigallocatechin gallate) helps to fight inflammation. It also prevents proteins that cause clumping and damage to the nerves. These are the popular causes linked to the cause of these diseases.
All these and more are some of the health and general benefits of taking white tea in moderation.
Types of White Teas
You’ll find different variations of white tea in shops online and offline. Although they are similar, they have distinct differences. This is usually found in the way they taste. Here are the different types of white teas.
- Silver Needle (Yin Zhen Bai Hao): This is the most popular type of white tea. It has a pure flavor, golden color, and a floral taste. The shape of this tea includes long needle-like silvery tips.
- White Peony (Bai Mu Dan): This type is usually used in blends because it lingers longer on the palate. It has a nutty and sweet taste, with a slightly deeper color than the silver needle.
- Noble, Long-Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei): It is slightly oxidized. Shou Mei consists of leftover leaves of white peony and silver needles. This tea has a darker color and bolder flavor than others because of being harvested later.
- Tribute Eyebrow (Gongmei): It entails young leaves without buds. This makes the taste darker and fuller, with a distinct and lingering experience.
- Fujian New Craft (DaBaiCha or DaHoaCha): The production process of this tea is unique. It entails withering, drying, and slightly rolling to give it a darker color. It is as flavorful as the other white tea types but has an extremely mild fragrance. Read about all the best white tea types.
These are the most popular types you’ll find in the market.
Buying & Storing Black Tea
White tea is on the expensive side compared to other teas. This is because it is hand-harvested for a short period every year. It is usually sold as tea bags, blends, bottled iced tea, or whole tea leaves. You can purchase from online or walk-in stores that you trust and are within your reach. Note that the ones that come in whole-leaf form have the highest quality.
All you need to do in terms of storage is keep your white tea in an airtight container. Then, keep it in a cool and dry place away from light. Flavored white teas can last six months to a year when stored under these conditions. However, unflavored ones last longer, for about one to two years.
White Tea Tips and Preparation
Here are some preparation tips to ensure you get the best white tea.
- It is best to prepare in a mild water temperature. Around 175°-185° F, as extremely hot water can cause the leaves to overcook and become bitter.
- Steep the tea for about one to three minutes only. This helps to get the tea’s best flavor.
- For a flavorful experience, use one tablespoon of white tea per eight-ounce cup.
Following this simple process provides you with a soft and delicate flavor. They range from sweet, buttery, and fruity to floral. So, enjoy!
White Tea vs. Oolong Tea
White tea is usually harvested in the early period of its lifecycle. That is when the buds are still covered with thin white hairs. These thin white hairs initially gave it its name, white tea. This tea is delicate and isn't rolled or crushed like other teas in the making process.
On the other hand, Oolong tea remains between green and black teas. It is one of the most inconsistent teas, as each tea master adds his style. The leaves are semi-oxidized, ranging from 8% to 80% oxidized. This makes it viewed as running between full and light bodies like wine. These tea leaves are withered and rolled before the oxidation process. Also, the flavor is usually enhanced with charcoal.