Food and Cooking Tips

Everything about white tea is different from the traditional black and green teas including how the tea is prepared for use. Regular teas are steeped in boiled water for a particular length of time designed to make the tea as strong or weak as the personal preference of the tea drinker. This pale tea is not to be made in boiled water and should be steeped for about three to five minutes. Some people will let it set a little longer if they prefer it really strong. It is also best made using loose leaves, not in a tea bag or tea egg, with two teaspoons of leaves being recommended per cup.

This tea originates in China where they have enjoyed it for centuries. Only recently have North Americans become aware of its unique flavor and health benefits. It is made from young leaves and early buds that have been picked early. Due to this early picking the leaves contain more natural healing antioxidants as well as a higher caffeine level. It is believed that because there is less processing done to these younger leaves that this tea, more than any other, is the healthiest you can drink. In short, anyone who is looking to incorporate tea into a holistic approach to diet and exercise will find that white tea is an ideal way to go.

Like black teas the white teas come in several varieties. The best of these has the English name Silver Needle. It is picked in China between the beginning of the third week in March up until the tenth of April. The buds must be bright in appearance and have little white hairs covering them. Only those buds that have remained unopened, and are in perfect condition, may be picked to make this tea. The next tea, of only slightly lesser quality is White Peony. This is made with the buds and leaves. The leaves are to be incased in something that looks silvery in appearance and feels like down to the touch. Next comes Tribute Eyebrow which is made from the leaves of different smaller tea trees. Lastly is Noble or Long Life Eyebrow tea. This last one has a darker color than the others and made from the tops of the leaves. It has more of a fruity taste than the others. If you are looking to this white tea for its health benefits that drinking a few cups daily is recommended.

Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://www.specialty-tea.tea-universe.com/. Please visit for information on all things concerned with White Tea

White tea is obtained from the Camellia sinensis plant, which also gives the other varieties of Oolong, Black, and Green tea. However, white tea is mostly made up of the uppermost, still immature leaves and buds picked just before the buds have opened. Silver, whitish fuzz covers the buds, and this turns white when the tea is dried, leading to its characteristic name. These are best picked during early spring, especially when there is no rain or frost.

White tea is the most unprocessed tea variety. The leaves and buds are steamed to prevent oxidation, and then dried. Not rolled and only slightly oxidized, its taste is light, delicate, and with a slightly sweet flavor.

This tea is mostly associated with the Fujian province of China. There are four varieties, each one representing a step of the grading process. The Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) is the most prized and sought-after variety. Only the buds - undamaged and unopened - are used for this tea. The White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) variety consists of the bud and the first two leaves underneath it, which should be covered with fine, silvery-white down. The Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei) variety comes next, made from a special tea bush and processed in a slightly different way. The last is the Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei) variety, an eclectic mix of buds and leaves with a slightly fruiter taste than the other white teas. Other varieties include the White Puerh Tea from China’s Yunnan province, the Ceylon White, Assam White, and Darjeeling White, as well as others with added components such as fruit for flavor.

Since white tea is the least processed of the different kinds of tea, it retains almost all of the inherent nutrients and benefits of tea. It boasts one of the highest levels of antioxidants, helps in cancer prevention, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, aids in heart protection and maintenance of strong bones, healthy gums, teeth, and skin, as well as providing powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. For someone that is looking for a tea to incorporate into a diet and exercise plan, few options can compare with the use of white tea.

White tea should be brewed in very hot but not boiling pure water, for 3 to 5 minutes. The leaves can be reused, and should be allowed to brew longer each time. The best variety is the loose leaf tea, and should be bought from a reputable seller who can ascertain where the tea comes from.

Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website http://www.leaf-tea.tea-universe.com/. Please visit for information on all things concerned with White Tea