There is a wide variety of teas out there. The most familiar ones, easily found on the market, are black tea, green tea and rooibos. But have you had the chance to explore white tea? It is true that white tea is less well-known than the others: it is, in fact, a rare tea. And rarity, of course, comes with a higher price.
What is worth knowing is that all teas come from the same plant: the Camellia Sinensis. The rarity of white tea stems from its composition, made up almost entirely of closed buds, and from its harvest window, which lasts just 3 days a year, the very first days of spring.
White Tea: Unrivalled Delicacy
What sets white tea apart is the refinement of its flavour. Lightly and naturally sweet, delicate and floral, with a discreet fruitiness, white tea offers a truly captivating burst of flavour. It is deeply appreciated by discerning tea lovers. Low in caffeine and rich in polyphenols, white tea can be steeped for longer without releasing any bitterness. For true connoisseurs, white tea is not simply drunk, it is savoured. To bring out its full range of flavours, including its notes of peony and citrus, the Zhong is the ideal vessel. This traditional three-part teacup allows you to prepare tea directly in a personal cup rather than a teapot. Refreshing and thirst-quenching, white tea can be enjoyed throughout the day, whether as a warm infusion or a chilled iced tea.
The Different Types of White Tea
Contrary to popular belief, white tea does not come from a different variety of tea plant. All teas, regardless of their origin, are harvested from one and the same plant: the Camellia Sinensis. The differences between teas stem primarily from which part of the plant is selected, the processing applied after harvest, and the region where they are grown.
We can therefore distinguish 3 different types of white tea:
- The so-called "original" white tea is produced exclusively in China, in the Fujian province. Exceptionally rare, it is made up entirely of buds,
- The new white tea, also from Fujian, is made up of buds along with the two or three youngest leaves,
- The "classic" white tea, produced in other countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Nepal and across Africa. Flavours can vary depending on climate and the location of the harvest.
What exactly is white tea?
Originally from China, white tea comes from the Fujian region. The earliest white teas are believed to date back to the 6th century. It is closely related to green tea, as the leaves are harvested before they reach full maturity. White tea is made primarily of closed buds, long, downy and pale in colour, hand-picked during a very short window at the very start of spring.
White tea requires the fewest steps of any tea in its production process. Just 1 to 2 stages are needed before packaging:
- Withering. After picking, the tea is laid out in the sun for a few hours or days,
- Drying. Depending on weather conditions, drying is sometimes needed to fully dehydrate the tea.
Like its counterpart green tea, white tea undergoes very little oxidation.
White Tea: Its Medicinal Properties
White tea is one of the least processed teas before packaging, which gives it undeniable health benefits. Of all teas, white tea contains the highest concentration of active compounds. Rich in polyphenols, particularly catechins, it is an excellent antioxidant and a powerful fat-burner. White tea helps reduce cholesterol levels by improving blood circulation and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. It strengthens the immune system and protects skin cells against free radicals. Very close to green tea but lower in caffeine, white tea is wonderfully good for your health.
The Benefits of White Tea for Your Skin
A remarkable anti-ageing resource, white tea takes care of your skin from within. Polyphenols slow the production of compounds that damage the skin's internal fibres and cause it to lose elasticity and firmness. As a powerful antioxidant, white tea is an ideal ally for neutralising free radicals. It is strongly advisable to avoid adding sugar or milk to white tea, so as to make the most of its active compounds. Did you know that tea can also be highly effective as a topical skin treatment? After brewing your tea, do not throw it away. Place your still-warm, moist leaves and buds on a piece of gauze, wrap them up and rest over your eyes. The properties of white tea will have a beneficial effect on blood vessels, helping to reduce dark circles and ease puffiness.
When to Drink White Tea During the Day?
Low in caffeine, white tea can be enjoyed at any time of day. Since it can be steeped several times without losing its properties, you can start the morning with a cup of delicately fragrant white tea alongside breakfast. There is no need to add sugar or a splash of milk, as doing so would mask the aromas and diminish its therapeutic qualities. After lunch, it gently aids digestion and leaves a pleasant lingering taste. As delicate as a herbal infusion, white tea is also a wonderful evening drink, with no risk of the caffeine-induced restlessness that might keep you awake.
Can You Drink White Tea Every Day, at Any Age?
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Much like coffee, tea lovers tend to enjoy a cup at breakfast, after lunch or in the afternoon. White tea contains the least caffeine of all teas and can be enjoyed throughout the day, though it is best to keep to no more than 4 cups. Even children can enjoy a cup of white tea in the morning at breakfast or as an afternoon treat.
Since white tea is excellent for reducing lipid and sugar levels, it is a recommended companion when following a health-conscious diet. White tea is also particularly beneficial for older adults. Studies have shown that, in addition to helping prevent certain cancers and reducing cardiovascular risks, white tea may significantly lower the risk of cognitive decline.
How to Prepare White Tea?
Any regular tea drinker should have at least one teapot at home. Enthusiasts, for their part, know the rituals well and are often equipped with a Zhong, also known as a Gaiwan. The traditional preparation of white tea is a precise ceremony, designed to draw out the fullest range of aromas without compromising its medicinal properties. Here is how to prepare white tea, step by step.
- Heat water to just below boiling point,
- Place a few white tea leaves or buds in the bottom of the Zhong and pour the hot water over them,
- Immediately after, hold the lid in place with two fingers and pour the water into a bowl to rinse the tea,
- Add fresh hot water over the leaves, replace the lid, and allow to steep for a few minutes (2 to 3 minutes at most),
- Drink directly from the Zhong by sliding the lid slightly to one side, letting the precious liquid pass your lips while the leaves remain filtered inside.
Green Tea or White Tea for Weight Loss: What Is the Difference?
When starting a diet, green tea is widely recognised as one of the most suitable beverages to support the process. A natural fat-burner, this smooth and fragrant infusion boosts energy and helps limit fat storage. But did you know that white tea can also support weight loss? Sharing many of the same properties as green tea, drinking white tea for weight management can actually be even more effective. Why? Because white tea undergoes very little processing after harvesting, which means it remains minimally oxidised and contains more tannins, as well as three times more polyphenols than green tea. It is also an excellent reducer of triglycerides (blood sugar), meaning it actively supports weight loss. You may also wish to explore detox white tea options.
Which White Tea Should You Choose? Our Buying Guide
More and more consumers are turning to natural products that are good for the body, in the pursuit of better wellbeing. For this reason, choosing an organic white tea is highly recommended. An organic certification not only ensures you are drinking a tea that is kind to your health, but also a tea of genuine quality. There are two main categories of white tea to choose from:
- Pai Mu Tan
- Made up of buds and the first two leaves, Pai Mu Tan white tea is also known as White Peony, as its flavour is beautifully reminiscent of peony blossom.
- Yin Zhen
- Also known as Silver Needles, this is the most prestigious and rarest of all white teas. Made almost entirely of unopened buds, its aroma is subtle and fresh.
Jasmine white tea is also highly regarded. Among the most exclusive varieties, JASMIN DRAGON PEARLS is an exceptional tea whose leaves are delicately hand-rolled into small, distinctive pearls. China is the leading producer of white tea, making Chinese white tea the most authentic expression of this style. That said, you will also find fine white teas from small estates, notably in Vietnam.