About White Tea

tea.jpgWhite tea was largely unknown outside China until quite recently. Its revered history dates back to the T'ang dynasty (618-907AD) when it became the beverage of choice in the royal courts. The emperor Hui Zong (1101-1125) became so obsessed with finding the perfect white tea that he ended up losing much of his empire to the invading Mongols.

White tea is tea made from leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis.  It is so-called because the tea buds are covered with silvery white down or fine hairs. It is the least processed and rarest of all the teas. White tea undergoes only withering and drying, with no pan-firing or rolling. The tea leaves are laid over bamboo trays and a fan is used to control the flow of air over the leaves. This drying process takes place over several days. This light oxidation process preserves natural compounds that help retain the natural health benefits.

White teas can be enjoyed throughout the day but are best consumed as a digestive after a light meal. Properly brewed white tea has a pale, slightly golden color, not unlike white wine. The scent is light and fresh, and the taste is mild and silky with a subtle, sweet aftertaste. For those who find green teas too earthy, the clean taste of white tea especially white Silver Tip tea is the perfect way to enjoy all the health benefits. Ripe with antioxidants and low in caffeine, white tea is arguably the healthiest beverage on the market today.