Guide To Antioxidants Home » Coffee and Tea » White Tea
The thing that makes white tea different from black tea or green tea is the processing.
White tea is not allowed to oxidize much, producing a very unique flavor. It comes from the Fujian province of China. It derives from several varieties of cultivars including Narcissus bushes, Chaicha bushes, Small White and Large White.
Varieties:
It comes in a lot of different varieties. Here are just a few:
- Silver Needle: this comes from China and is one of the more popular. The tea gets its name from the fine white hairs that cover the leaves. This particular variety is thought best when harvested between mid March and Mid April. The most expensive versions are those in which the tea buds are not allowed to open.
-
- Tribute Eyebrow: Not quite as fancy, this comes from the leaves of the small white tea bush.
-
- Shou Mei: A fruity tea from China with a darker color.
-
- Ceylon White: This comes from Sri Lanka and can be very expensive. It has a honey undertone.
-
- Assam White: This is from India and it’s got a light body. The flavor is a blend between malt and sweet.
Healthful Qualities:
Studies done on this tea indicate that it may have more anti-bacterial and anti-viral qualities than green tea. It’s believed this is due to less processing. It also has higher levels of amino acids, the building blocks for life. Both varieties of tea have antioxidant qualities that fight age-related disorders and support the immune system.
Other healthful qualities in this type of tea include:
- reducing the risk of developing cancer
- lowering blood pressure
- decreasing bad cholesterol
- strengthening bones
- supporting healthy heart functions
- improving oral and skin health
- stress reduction
- helping with weight loss
Brewing:
You want about 1.5 teaspoons to one cup of filtered hot water. Don’t boil your water – this tea is a little more delicate and becomes bitter in overly hot water - 180 degrees F should do the trick, then steep the tea leaves for three minutes. If you want to taste more of the subtle notes of the tea, let it steep for 10 minutes.
Caffeine Content
This type of tea has less caffeine than both black and green tea, and certainly less than coffee.
Peek into History
It has been around since the Song Dynasty in China (960 CE – 1279 CE). The Emperor was given the highest quality and it also became an integral component to the Japanese Tea ceremony.
Leave White Tea, Go to Guide to Antioxidants Home
