What is white tea?

All white tea come from the same source: the Camilla Sinensis tea bush. But, how do those tea leaves from the Camilla Sinensis end up as different kinds of teas depends on what happens to the leaves after they have been picked off the tea bush.

This tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked soon after the buds have fully opened. Its name is due to the silver fuzz on the bud that turns white after having been put through the drying process.

This tea undergoes even less processing then green tea leaves. And what does that result in? A lightly colored tea that has a sweet and silky favor. Like many other teas, there are various flavored versions of white tea.

A quick story:

Kit Chow notes in All The Tea In China that in hard times, very poor Chinese people would serve guests boiled water if they could not afford tea. Host and guests would refer to the water as "white tea" and act as if the tradition of serving guests tea had been carried out as usual.

Health benefits

• Studies indicate that this tea contains more polyphenols then any other type of tea because the tea leaves are left so close to their natural state. And you might ask, why should I care about polyphenol or what is polyphenol.
  
  Polyphenol is a powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing bacteria.
  
  
• A 2004 study at Pace University concluded that this tea can help your body's immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria.
  Doesn't it sound to you like this may be a definite must during flu season?
  
  
• It is very high in antioxidants.
  
  
• It helps in detoxifying the body.
  
  
• Good for overall bodily health
  
  
• Studies show that this tea is excellent for skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
  
  
• Research indicates that this tea may inhibit the growth of certain forms of cancer.

As the amount of tea lovers grow, more and more research will be done on this kind of tea to discover all of it's health benefits. It's important to remember that tea research is still in the early stages.

Varieties of white teas from China

There are a few different forms of white tea in which there are different grades. The grades mainly depend on when the tea leaves are picked as the longer they stay on the branches of the tea tree, the more different the white tea will be.

The following teas rank from the highest to the last grade:

Bai Hao Yinzhen (Silver Needle).
This is the first and highest grade. The tea leaves are picked from March 15 to April 10, when it is not raining.
Only undamaged and unopened buds are used. The brew is a pale yellow color and the flavor and fragrance is delicate, light, fresh, and slightly sweet.
The Silver Needle comes from Fujian Province, China.

Bai Mu Dan (White Peony).
This is a grade down from the Silver needle. The tea leaves are picked later than the Silver Needle, hence, the White Peony is classified as a lower grade of white tea. The brew is a very pale green or golden color. It is fruity, sweet, and darker than the Silver Needle.
This tea also comes from the Fujian Province, China.

Gong Mei (Tribute Eyebrow).
This is the third grade. The reason why it is clasified as a third grade tea is because it is processed longer than the Silver Needle or White Peony, hence, the lower grade. "Eyebrow" teas are named for their long, thin, crescent-shaped leaves. The brew is dark and has a very earthy taste. It is popular in many Chinese teahouses.

Show Mei (Noble, Long Life Eyebrow).
This is another "Eyebrow" tea. It is the fourth grade. The tea leaves are plucked later than the Bai Mu Dan, so the tea may be darker in color. It is a fruity tasting tea and is similar to the Oolong tea.
This tea is from the Fujian Province and Guangxi Province in China.

White teas from other parts of the world:

Ceylon.
This is a highly prized tea which is grown in Sri Lanka. It is grown and harvested by hand.

Darjeeling.
It has a delicate aroma and it brews to a pale golden. It has a mellow taste and a hint of sweetness.
It is grown in the rainy and hot climate of Darjeeling, India, at altitudes of 2000 meters (approximately 6,000 ft.).

Doke.
This tea is found in North-eastern Bihar, which borders the Terai tea district of Bengal, India. This is a new tea in the area and has a very fruity and delicate flavor.

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