There are a wide variety of teas. The most familiar teas, which you can easily find on the market are the following: black tea, green tea and red tea. But have you had the opportunity to discover white tea? It is true that white tea is less known than the others: it is indeed a rare tea. And who says rarity, also says higher price !
However, all teas come from the same shrub, the Camelia Sinensis. The rarity of white tea is therefore due to its composition, essentially made up of closed buds, and to its harvesting which lasts only 3 days in the year, the first 3 days of spring.
White tea: an unequalled finesse
The particularity of white tea is the finesse of its taste. Slightly and naturally sweet, delicate and floral, discreetly fruity, we can say that white tea is a real explosion of flavors in the mouth. It is also highly appreciated by the lovers of good teas. Light in theine and rich in polyphenol, the white tea can be brewed longer without releasing more bitterness. For tea connoisseurs, white tea is not to be drunk, it is to be enjoyed. To release a maximum of flavors, especially its peony and citrus aromas, nothing better than using the Zhong. It is a tea cup made of 3 parts, which allows to prepare tea in individual cups and not in a teapot. Invigorating and thirst-quenching drink, the white tea can be consumed throughout the day as a hot infusion or as an iced tea.
The different types of white teas
Contrary to popular belief, the white tea does not come from a different variety of tea plant. All teas, regardless of their origin, are harvested from a single shrub: the Camellia Sinensis. The differences between the teas are mainly due to the part of the bush that is selected, the treatment of the tea after harvesting and the region in which it is produced.
We can therefore distinguish 3 different types of white teas:
- The white tea the "original" tea is produced only in China in the Fujian region. This tea is extremely rare and consists only of buds,
- The new white tea, this is also from Fujian and consists of the buds and the two or three youngest leaves,
- The classic white tea produced in other countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Nepal and Africa. The flavors may differ depending on the climatic conditions and the place of harvest.
What is white tea?
Originally from China, the white tea comes from the Fujian region. The appearance of the first white teas dates back to the 6th centurye century. It is very similar to green tea, as it is harvested before the leaves are ripe. White tea is essentially made of closed buds, they are harvested by hand in a very short period of time in the first days of spring.
The white tea is the tea that requires the least number of steps in its manufacturing process. only 1 to 2 steps are required before packaging :
- The wilting. After plucking, the tea is placed in the sun for a few hours or days,
- The drying. Depending on the weather conditions, drying may sometimes be necessary to finish the dehydrate the tea.
Like its green tea counterpart, the white tea is thus very little oxidized.
White tea: its medicinal virtues
The white tea is one of the teas that is the least manipulated before packaging, which gives it medicinal virtues undeniable. Of all teas, white tea is the one that contains the most active products. Very rich in polyphenols and in particular in catechins, it is a excellent antioxidant and a powerful fat burner. White tea reduces cholesterol levels by improving blood circulation and helps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. It strengthens the immune system and protects skin cells against free radicals. Very similar to green tea but less rich in theine, white tea is excellent for your health.
The benefits of white tea for the skin
An excellent anti-aging resource, the white tea takes care of your skin from the inside. Indeed, polyphenols slow down the production of components that damage the internal fibers of the skin and make it lose its elasticity and firmness. Powerful antioxidant, white tea is the ideal ally to neutralize free radicals. It is strongly advised not to add sugar and/or milk to white tea, in order to get the most out of the tea's active ingredients. Did you know that tea is also very effective for external treatment of the skin? After brewing your tea, don't throw it away! Place your leaves and buds, still wet and warm, on a gauze. Wrap them up and put them on your eyes. The properties of white tea will have a beneficial effect on blood vessels, reduce dark circles and reduce the swelling of bags.
When to drink white tea during the day?
Light in theine, the white tea can be consumed at any time of the day. Being able to be infused several times without losing its properties, you can as of the morning accompany your breakfast of a delicately scented white tea. There is no need to sweeten or pour a cloud of milk, as this will distort the flavours and reduce its therapeutic qualities. After your breakfast, it facilitates digestion and leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth. As delicate as an infusion, white tea can also be enjoyed in the evening, without fear of a rise in nervous excitement that could prevent you from sleeping.
Can we drink white tea every day and at any age?
Tea is the most consumed drink in the world. In the same way as coffee, the tea lovers are used to drink tea for breakfast, after lunch or with a snack. White tea contains the least amount of theine and can be consumed throughout the day, but not more than 4 cups a day. Even children can have a cup of white tea in the morning with breakfast or snack.
Knowing that white tea is excellent for reduce lipid levelsand sugar, it is recommended to drink it when you are on a healthy diet. White tea is also recommended for the elderly. Indeed, studies have shown that white tea, in addition to preventing certain cancers and reducing cardiovascular risks, significantly reduces the risk of cognitive degeneration.
How to prepare white tea?
All regular tea drinkerMust have at least one teapot at home. Tea lovers, on the other hand, know the rituals and are equipped with a Zhong, also called Gaiwan. The traditional preparation of white tea is a precise ceremony, which allows to release a maximum of the tea's aromas without altering its medicinal properties. How to prepare white tea? Follow the steps below.
- Heat water to near boiling point,
- Put some white tea leaves or buds at the bottom of the Zhong and pour hot water over them,
- Immediately after, hold the lid with 2 fingers and pour the water into a bowl to wash the tea,
- Pour hot water over the leaves, put the lid on and let it steep for a few minutes (between 2 and 3 minutes at the most),
- Taste your tea directly by slightly shifting the lid of the Zhong to let the precious liquid pass between your lips while filtering the tea leaves.
Green tea or white tea to lose weight, what are the differences ?
When we start a diet, it is well known that green tea is the most appropriate drink to accompany us. Excellent natural fat burner, this sweet and fragrant nectar is an energy gas pedal that has the additional function of limit the stock of fat. But did you know that you can drink white tea to lose weight ?With properties similar to those of green tea, drink white tea to lose weight is even more effective. Why? Because white tea has undergone very little handling after plucking, which gives it the advantage of being very little oxidizedAnd to contain more tannin, but also three times more polyphenols than its cousin the green tea. Moreover, excellent reducer of triglycerides (sugar in the blood), it largely promotes weight loss. You can also learn more about detox white tea.
Which white tea to choose? Our advice for buying
More and more consumers are turning to natural and beneficial products for the body, the aim is to improve well-being. For this reason it is advisable to choose an organic white tea. Thanks to the BIO label, you can be sure that you will not only have the best quality of life, but also the best quality of lifeonsume a healthy tea for your health but also a high quality tea. Note that you can choose between two categories of white teas:
- The Pai Mu Tan
- Consisting only of buds and the first two leaves, Pai Mu tan white tea is also called white peony, as its flavor is reminiscent of peony.
- The Yin Zhen
- Also known as white needles, this is the most prestigious and rare of white teas. This tea is essentially made up of unopened buds and its aroma is subtle and fresh.
The white tea with jasmine is also very famous. Among the most exclusive, the JASMIN DRAGON PEARLS is an exceptional tea whose leaves are delicately rolled by hand to form characteristic little balls. Among the countries producing white tea, China is the main one. White tea from China is therefore the most authentic tea. But you will also find white teas from small farms, especially in Vietnam.