White tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant that green, black and Oolong tea come from. The difference is when it is harvested and how it is processed. The origin of white tea is unclear yet the majority of the arguments point out to China, specifically Fujian Province. To this day the Fujian Province produces much of the white tea you see on the market today. The first noted use of the tea is during the time of Tang Dynasty. During that time white tea was very rare, making it expensive so it was only enjoyed by the rich and privileged. Now modern technology has help change all that so that everyone can enjoyed it.
What Set White Tea Apart?
What makes white tea so different is when it is harvested. The leaves and buds are plucked when they are still young and immature. Then they are taken to dry and the oxidation process is stopped. The leaves itself have silvery white hairs on the unopened buds that give the dried tea its whitish appearance. The brewed tea itself takes on a pale yellow hue and is reminiscent of white wine. It typically has a delicate, sweet flavor. Because of the minimal processing of white tea it retains a high amount of antioxidants.
Health Benefits
Health benefits are one of the strengths of White Tea. It contains catechins, a group of polyphenol antioxidants that is responsible for many health benefits. They are credited with fighting off cancer, atherosclerosis, heart failure and diabetes to name a few. These antioxidants have also been shown to strengthen the immune system and to protect against certain pathogenic bacteria.
Compared to the other types of tea, White tea has been said to contain the least amount of caffeine. This is because the young leaves have not been able to mature and when brewing using less than boiling water of only 170 degrees or below for only 1-3 minutes doesn’t allow the caffeine to be pulled out of the leaf.
White tea is an affordable luxury that is good for the soul that can and should be enjoyed every day. It contributes to an overall sense of well-being.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
