There are many ongoing studies associated with the benefits of drinking a variety of teas for their properties, such as polyphenols and amino acids. Water is only consumed more than tea, which ranks second globally. Here Dr. Joseph Mercola, Mercola.com, reflects on the many benefits of drinking white tea:

 

“Although often eclipsed by other types of tea in terms of popularity, there is no denying that white tea is just as refreshing and beneficial as other varieties. Fragrant and refreshing with a sweet, silky taste, white tea is a widely consumed beverage in China. But did you know that in the early times, it was treated as a drink worthy only of an emperor? Read this article and discover more interesting facts about this delicious beverage.

What Is White Tea?

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Considered one of the most delicate tea varieties today, white tea, just like green, oolong and black teas, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is actually made from new growth buds of the plant, or those that have not yet opened, as well as select young leaves.¹

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The name was derived from the fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds. In fact, this is how Silver Needle, the finest quality organic white tea, got its moniker.² Silver Needle is made only from unopened buds and is the highest quality white tea available today.³

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White tea is said to date back as early as the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD), and became the choice beverage of the royal court during the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 AD). Its flavor is so delicate that it became known as the Emperor’s drink. White tea was a luxury enjoyed by the Emperor and his royal court, who sometimes infused it with subtle floral flavorings like lotus, jasmine and chrysanthemum.⁴

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White tea has a very light or pale yellow color, and a refreshing scent. However, it does not have the “grassy” flavor that is often attributed to green tea.⁵ It’s said to “offer a greater dimension of body,” but without the bitterness of other teas. The flavor can range from buttery to fruity, sweet and floral — each tea is different.⁶

You can get white tea in either loose leaf or tea bags. If you want to get the real tea experience, though, it’s best to choose organic loose leaf white tea over tea bags, as you can sidestep the potential chemicals found in the bags, which can leach into your tea.

How to Make White Tea

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White tea is the least processed of all tea types. In fact, this processing method is what sets these different Camellia sinensis-derived teas apart from each other. Black tea is deeply oxidized and fermented; oolong is only partly fermented; and green tea is not fermented at all — only withered in hot air and then steamed or pan-fried quickly.

 

White tea is allowed to oxidize only minimally. Due to the minimal processing they both undergo, the benefits of white tea versus green tea have often been deemed similar. To produce white tea, the buds are withered and air-dried in the sun or in an indoor environment as soon as harvested, under carefully controlled conditions. Due to oxidation not being manually encouraged, the flavor profile of this tea is softer and more delicate compared to other teas.^7,8

Caffeine Content in White Tea

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All teas acquired from the Camellia sinensis plant contain caffeine. However, white tea contains the least amount among all varieties. According to the website Caffeine Content, this drink has an average of 15 to 20 milligrams of caffeine in every cup. Considering that black tea has 50 milligrams and coffee can be anywhere between 60 and 150 milligrams, white tea is more recommended for caffeine-sensitive individuals.”¹⁹

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Read More … Article Source: https://articles.mercola.com/teas/white-tea.aspx

 

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