Spilling the Tea about Tea: White Tea

WHITE TEA

When you think of herbal tea, many think of black or green tea, seldom does someone think of white tea. White tea is an herbal tea made from a plant called Camellia Sinensis.. This is the same plant that green tea, black tea, and oolong tea come from. The difference is that white tea is minimally processed in comparison to the others. While very underrated, it has been said that white tea can have many important health benefits such as lowering 'bad' cholesterol, insulin resistance, and even slowing down physical appearances of aging.

Where Does It Come From?
The earliest believed origins of white tea can be traced to the Fujian Province during the early Chinese dynasties around 600-1300. Citizens would offer their finest teas to their emperor in what is known as imperial tea tributes. To ensure these teas being offered were the best of the best, imperial tea gardens were created in secret. Although the traditional form of white tea is different today than it was during this time.

Traditionally, the young tea buds would be harvested and gathered in the spring, steamed and the outer leaf was taken from it. They would then be rinsed with spring water, naturally dried out, and grounded into a powder. This silvery, white powder would be whisked into hot water. Chinese white tea was depicted as "white like the clouds, green like a dream, pure like snow, and as aromatic as an orchid," in literature [4].
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What Is It Like Today?
Today, white tea is much different than before. As for processing, the white tea buds are often dried and withered utilizing one of the following methods: heated vents, wind drying chambers, or natural sunlight immediately after picking to prevent oxidation. Oxidation is the time of how long tea leaves are exposed to oxygen after they have been picked. The longer teas have been exposed, the darker the color is and the stronger the flavor profile.

Additionally, other countries have started to make white tea and are not exclusive to Fujian anymore. 

What Does It Taste Like?
Nowadays, there are many different variations of white teas. Some tasting notes for white teas can include "floral, grassy, honey, fruity, melon, peach, apricot, vanilla, chocolate, citrus, herby, mild, subtle, delicate, and sweet".

What Are The Health Benefits?
White tea is known to have a higher amount of antioxidants due to it being processed the least (in comparison to green tea, black tea, and oolong tea). White tea is known to be loaded with powerful polyphenols (plant-based molecules) called catechins. According to Healthline, these antioxidants may help protect the cells from damage from free radicals, relax blood vessels, increase immunity, lower risk of insulin resistance, suppress several cellular components that may damage the fiber network that would normally help slow down the aging process, and lower chances or even prevent LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidized.

Where Can I Find It?
The five main types of white teas are still grown in china: Yin Zhen Bai Hao (Silver Needle), Bai Mu Dan (White Peony), Gongmei (Tribute Eyebrow), Shou Mei (Noble, Long Life Eyebrow), and Fujian New Craft (DaBaiCha or DaHoaCha).

Today, there are also some grown outside of China: Ceylon White (Sri Lankan), African White (Africa), Darjeeling White (India), Imperial Himalayan White Tea (Himalayan Mountains).

Today you can find great white tea online:
-https://www.artoftea.com/collections/white-tea
-https://www.letsdrinktea.com/buy-white-tea-online/
-https://www.borntea.com/products/chinese-white-tea-moonlight-white
 
How Do I Make It?
Unlike darker teas, white tea is more finicky in preparation. You will want to ensure you have hot water, but not boiling water. Having boiling water can ruin the tea and have the leaves give off a bitter taste. Also, make sure you measure the appropriate amount of tea to water as directed on your specific tea. Senchatea Bar recommends about 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water just depending on your type of white tea. Art of Tea recommends a tablespoon per 8 oz cup. It is recommended to let the tea steep anywhere from 1-5 minutes, taste testing at the one-minute mark and every 30 seconds after until you receive your desired level of taste. Although most teas can be re-steeped, it is not recommended for white tea as it will not give enough flavor the second time around. If you want to get fancy, you can heat your teacup before pouring the tea by placing a small amount of boiling water in and throwing it out before pouring your tea.

While the purpose of this writing this posting is to help provide education, it is important to note to continue doing your own research! This information should not substitute seeing a medical provider or act as treatment. You should contact your personal provider and medical team regarding any personal concerns related to you and your health! 
 
References
Raman, R. (2018). 10 Impressive Benefits of White Tea. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/white-tea-benefits
Teatulia. (n.d.). What is White Tea? https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-white-tea.htm
Wilkinson, I. (2017). Everything You Need To Know About White Tea. Good Proper. https://www.goodandpropertea.com/blogs/all/everything-you-need-to-know-about-white-tea
Huang, T. (2020). Black Tea, Green Tea, and… White Tea? Thimblety. https://shop.thimblety.com/blogs/news/black-tea-green-tea-and-white-tea
The Gourmet Chai House. (2021). White Tea: No Strings Attached - The Ultimate Tea Dating Game. https://gourmetchaihouse.com/blogs/teas/white-tea-blog-post
The Art of Tea. (n.d.). What is White Tea? https://www.artoftea.com/blogs/tea-101/what-is-white-tea
Sencha Tea Bar. (2020). How to Brew a Perfectly Delicate White Tea. https://senchateabar.com/blogs/blog/how-to-brew-white-tea

Author: Eliana Rosete
Reviewed by: ZenDeva Team
Date of Last Update: 14 March 2022

​Photos are free stock images from Pexels and Unsplash.