When we think about tea, the images that come to mind are either the dark-red colour of black tea with a strong aroma and taste, or a light-yellow, pale-coloured green tea with a light earthy smell, or famous milk tea. White tea, on the other hand, is something with which we are less familiar.
Sweetness, delicacy, light aroma – These are the three words which define this great nectar. The tea buds are covered with white hair; hence, it is named "white." It doesn’t have a strong aroma as black tea has, not too earthy smell as green has, instead it tastes somewhere between these two. The weather condition, harvesting process, and, most crucially, the withering process all play crucial roles in white tea harvesting. These tea leaves can come in different colours such as white, brown, and green. White tea, unlike black and green tea, is not oxidised or rolled. The natural withering processes make it different.
There are different varieties of white tea that steal the hearts of tea lovers. Let’s see what are the white tea types:
Moonlight White Tea: Moonlight White Tea is one of the most renowned white tea variants. The origin of this tea is China, specifically Yunnan Province. The moonlight white has a creamy texture and a refreshing taste. This comes from the withering process of this tea. In ancient China, the harvester used to keep the tea under the moonlight at night to wither the tea leaves naturally. Thus, it is called moonlight white tea.
Silver Needle White Tea: Silver needle is one of the finest qualities of white tea. The parent plant of all teas is Camellia Sinensis. Silver needles are made using the larger leaves of the plant. After plucking the leaves, the selective buds are dried naturally, which gives the tea an excellent flavour. The rich, woody sweetness and golden colour set the class of the tea apart.
White Peony Tea: White Peony is the combination of both, the tea leaves and the buds. This is one of the most affordable white teas compared to other white tea variants, like silver needle. The reason is the post-plucking process of the tea leaves. The white peony is slightly oxidized. The oxidation process makes it stronger than the other type. The elegant, mellow, roasted aroma makes it sophisticated and delicate in nature.
Tribute Eyebrow White Tea: This tea is harvested after the silver needle and white peony. It is a lower-quality tea compared to the latter. This tea is made with small tea leaves without any buds. After the eyebrow-shaped leaves, the tea is named Tribute Eyebrow White Tea.
Long Life Eyebrow White Tea: Long life eyebrow is made with lower-quality tea leaves. This variant is made with tea leaves that are not suitable for making the white peony and silver needle. Ideally, the large, bold-flavoured tea leaves are used to make this kind.
Darjeeling White Tea: Darjeeling produces one of the finest qualities of white teas. The absence of rolling and oxidation make it unique. The sweetness, delicacy, and light gold colour make it a majestic golden nectar.
Ceylon White Tea: Ceylon White Tea is a one-of-a-kind delicacy and one of the rarest of the rare. The uniqueness comes from the processing of the tea. The tea is made with the freshly sprouted tea tips, followed by the natural drying process. which leaves a natural floral and creamy aroma.
Malawi White Tea: When it comes to tea harvesting, we only think about Asian countries. But tea harvesting is not limited to Asia. Malawi is a small province of South Africa. The white tea harvested by the natives of this area is renowned as Malawi White Tea. This tea is distinguished from other types of white tea by its mild, strong grassy flavour.
All taste and aroma without any benefit can leave the discussion incomplete. Since ancient times white tea has been significantly used to prevent & cure many health problems. Let’s discuss the benefits of white tea –
Full Of Antioxidant: The deficiency of antioxidants in the body can lead to numerous health issues like weak immunity, fast aging, inflammation, etc. White tea contains polyphenols and catechins. Consuming white tea daily can level up the antioxidants in your body, which can eventually keep you healthy.
Assists In Weight Loss: Obesity is one of the most common phenomena of this era. This has a direct link to our fast and furious lifestyle and unhealthy diet. Green tea is widely consumed worldwide to combat obesity. The catechins in white tea are quite effective for burning fat. Thus, adding a cup of white tea can help you achieve your weight loss goal.
Prevents Heart Attack: Polyphenol is the natural property of white tea. Research shows that an efficient amount of polyphenol can improve the cardiovascular system of our body by relaxing the heart vessels. Which can prevent sudden heart attack chances.
Can Prevent Cancer: Research shows that regular consumption of white tea can most likely prevent cancer. The natural properties of white tea help to suppress the growth and spread of colon cancer cells inside the body.
Oral Health: White tea contains fluoride along with catechins and tannins. Fluoride, which is often found in toothpaste, is necessary for oral health. These properties combat the bacteria and fungus inside our mouth and keep foul breathing and any infection at bay. Thus, adding 1-2 cups of white tea to your daily diet can help you retain the beautiful smile on your face.
Controls Blood Sugar: Diabetes is the curse of this modern era. A poor diet, a stressful job, or a genetic problem could all be the cause. Catechins, along with some other properties, can have the potency to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Research shows that because of these properties, white tea is quite effective in treating Type-2 diabetes across the globe.
Improves Skin Health: Skin problems like pimples, acne, and blemishes are very common phenomena these days. This is one of the main reasons for low confidence and low self-esteem, as we are all conscious of our looks. White tea contains an ample amount of antioxidants, which can help to eliminate free radicals from cells and prevent pigmentation, wrinkles, and premature aging. Drinking 1-2 cups of white tea can bless you with healthy skin.
Aren’t these enough reasons for you to start a love affair with white tea? For a tea lover, this is more than enough.