The Facts About White Tea

If you've ever thought of adding tea to your repertoire of beverages, now is a great time to try. In the wake of impressive evidence of its health benefits, white tea in particular is gaining in popularity in the West. A long time favorite in China and Asia, this delicate beverage has a long history, over 5,000 years long.

What Is White Tea?

Deriving its distinctive appearance from the immature buds of the tea plant, white tea is composed primarily of buds and young leaves. Of the varieties currently available, silver needle and white peony are the most prized, although less expensive offerings like long life eyebrow, tribute eyebrow, and white Darjeeling are also popular.

What are the Health Benefits of White Tea

White tea has high concentrations of polyphenols and antioxidants. It has been reported that white tea can contain over 10 times the antioxidant power of a capsule of vitamin E. The benefits of this bounty are the ability to lower cholesterol, fight cancer, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and increase bone density. With these impressive credentials, white tea is becoming a staple in many households, and is flying off retailer's shelves.

Preparing White Tea

If you're a regular tea drinker, you know the importance of hot water in the process, but preparing white tea is a little different. To get the best results, water used for white tea should never boil. A temperature of 190°F is ideal. For a single serving, try one tablespoon of tea for each eight ounces of water. Want your tea stronger? Try raising the volume of tea leaves to 1 ½ tablespoons.

White tea can be pricey, but the good news is that you can reuse the leaves for multiple brewings. Just be careful to steep additional cups longer.

To keep your tea in good condition, place it in a dark, dry location and be sure to seal it well.