White tea is very different in flavor from other teas. The flavor of white tea is far more delicate than other teas. White tea has a sweeter flavor than other teas, and is paler in color. In addition, White Tea has very little aroma.

White Tea is the uncured and unoxidized tea leaf. White Tea is harvested before the leaves are fully open, when the buds have fine white hair covering them, which is why it is called White Tea. This is much earlier than other teas are harvested. The tea leaves are simply steamed and then dried, often right in the fields.

White Tea is fast-dried, while green tea is roasted in an oven or pan (while kept moving for even curing). Oolong and Black Teas are oxidized before curing. White Tea often contains buds and young tea leaves, which have been found to contain lower levels of caffeine than older leaves. White Tea contains approximately 15 mg of caffeine per serving, while Black Tea contains 40 and Green Tea contains 20.

White Tea is far rarer than other teas. This is because White Tea can be plucked just once a year, in the spring. Because white tea is so rare, it is quite a bit more expensive than Black Teas, which are plucked several times during each growing season. In fact, historically, white tea was reserved for only the most special of occasions.

White Tea was used in China for the highest tea ceremonies, serving dignitaries and often for weddings. For many years it was not regarded as the everyday beverage that it has become today.

White Tea General Brewing Guidelines
Brewing Tempature: 180°
Brewing Time: 4-8 minutes
1.5 tsp per 8 oz cup

DID YOU KNOW?

• White Tea has up to 3x the antioxidants of other teas
• White Tea has less caffeine than both Green Tea and Black Tea
• White tea is known to have a 100% more effective rate in destroying free radicals than Green or Black Teas
• The positive immune systems effects of White Tea is Greater than that of even Green Tea
• White Tea is know as a stress-relieving tea
• White tea has a greater cancer fighting abilities than Green tea
• White tea is a deemed a luxury in China, and at one time was reserved only for the Emperor for use in the highest tea ceremonies
• White tea was first produced during the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD)
• The highest quality White Tea is the Silver Needle White Tea which we feature here on the site
• White Tea is harvested before the leaves are fully open, when the buds have fine white hair covering them
• There is limited quantity available each year because White Tea can be plucked just once a year, in the spring.

Adagio Teas is offering a fantastic sampler to determine which white teas your prefer. Simply click the link below and you’re on your way to the wonderful world of White Teas.

Recommended White Teas from Adagio:

Adagio White Sampler Discover the world of difference between supermarket tea and the gourmet varieties found in this set. A nice introduction to White Teas from China. Four tins in total, one ounce apiece (24-32 cups of tea) for only $10.00.