Many people know about black and green tea, but there’s also something known as white tea. There are so many interesting facts about white tea that you might want to start drinking it right away after hearing them! However, that’s not what this article is about.
If you are a drinker of white tea already, this article is highly relevant for you. Not because it deals with the topic, but because it’ll inform you of certain things you may not even know about.
White tea is not yet another tea, though it is technically from the same family. This kind of tea is very tasty and is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. Although it is not as popular as black and green tea, white tea deserves a spot in your tea collection. Below, we’ll discuss a little about this tea and give you a few suggestions for starting your white tea experience.
Definition of White Tea
For now, there is no universal definition for white tea and how it is prepared. Most tea researchers state that white tea is just tea that has been dried a little more. It is commonly made without any processing. Others say that the leaves for white tea are picked before buds of the plant are completely open.
The Taste of White Tea
As for the taste, white tea is very light compared to black and green tea. It is not oxidized, and–this may shock you – it is not white, but yellow in color.
Origin of White Tea
The origins of white tea are usually believed to be from China, but it can be also found in India, Sri Lanka, and some other countries.
History of White Tea
White tea is definitely unique and has an original taste. There is some written proof that white tea was used in 1105 AD during the Song Dynasty. There is also some evidence that it was used in the province of Fujian in China.
Some More Interesting Facts
There are several types of white tea – white peony, silver needle, Shoumei, and Gongmei are just a few examples. White tea contains polyphenols, and it is this compound that makes it a healthy drink. It also contains gallic acid, catechin, zinc, and potassium among many other vitamins.
The preparation of tea doesn’t include shaking and panning. White tea is only lightly fermented, and this is what makes it taste so original.
Health Benefits of White Tea
There are several health benefits of white tea due to its ingredients. Knowing about these benefits just might make you start drinking white tea as soon as possible. We’ll list the benefits below:
- White tea decreases the risk of cancer, according to research and studies.
- It can prevent the growth of cells in lung cancer. More research is needed in order to conclude just how much white tea affects other types of cancer.
- Because of the flavonoids inside it, white tea is good against cardiovascular diseases. It can lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure and improve the function of blood vessels.
- Besides this, white tea also has antiviral and anti-bacterial properties.
- White tea also improves the condition of the immune system because it is rich in antioxidants.
Some of the other possible health benefits of white tea are that it clears up the skin, improves hair growth, reduces inflammation, and is generally good for the liver, teeth, and heart along with several other body parts.
White Tea Warnings and Precautions
White tea has caffeine, as you probably know. In fact, all sorts of tea have some caffeine content, even decaf kinds. Herbal tea doesn’t have caffeine, but it’s technically an infusion instead of a tea.
As it is made of the same plant as green tea and black tea, both of which have caffeine, white tea has caffeine too. In fact, white tea is made of the plant’s buds, which have more caffeine than green and black tea.
This means that if you drink too much white tea, you can experience some side effects such as increased heart rate, dizziness, and tremors. In order to avoid these negative effects, it’s not recommended that anyone drinks more than two or three cups of white tea per day.
Another possible issue with drinking tea is fluoride intake. Both green and white tea contains fluoride, as the plant absorbs fluoride from the soil.
However, the level of fluoride in all teas is not the same. Fluoride is a mineral and can be found in nature. It has been used for decades for teeth strength and oral care. While generally safe in small doses, as with most other minerals, one should not overuse fluoride.
There is no scientific proof that fluoride has any negative effect on people’s health. Nevertheless, some people do try to completely eliminate fluoride from their diets.
The main risk of fluoride consumption is fluorosis. This is a bone disease that is similar to arthritis. If you consume teas made of high-quality leaves, the risk of fluorosis is decreased but not completely eliminated. Overall, drinking white tea in reasonable amounts can possibly minimize the risk of fluoride toxicity.
When it comes to fluoride, white tea is better than other types of teas due to its low level of this mineral. The young buds and leaves of the tea plant do not generally contain much fluoride. The main reason for this is the time of harvesting. Black and green tea are made of leaves that are harvested when the plant is older, while white tea is made of tea leaves harvested in an earlier stage.
This makes white tea safer to drink in relation to fluoride intake. Since we have fluoride included in our tap water and our toothpaste anyway, it might be best to limit this mineral in other areas as much as possible.
How to Prepare White Tea
If you’re wondering how to prepare white tea, we have good news for you! It is not difficult to make this tea at all. All you need to do is boil water. Then, steep some white tea leaves in it and wait for a couple of minutes.
If you like a strong taste, cover the container and let the tea steep for around ten minutes. If you like light tea, steep for seven minutes. It is recommended that you drink the tea without any additives and sweeteners in order to get the best results.
Final Thoughts About White Tea
White tea has a really long history and is one of the most beneficial teas in the world. Hand in hand with green and black tea, white tea has various benefits for people’s health. If you like tea, and can’t imagine starting your working day without drinking a cup of tea first, white tea would definitely be a safe and wise choice.
If you’re interested in drinking white tea now, you might want to try out one of the products above. Even if you’re already a white tea drinker, these items could take your experience to the next level. We won’t find out unless we try one of these delicious white teas and benefits from their healthy ingredients.
