Even though white tea hasn’t exactly been the center of attention, many tea enthusiasts have been curious about it, and for good reason. This tea’s world is full of mouthwatering flavors and fascinating facts.
Did you know that the tea plants give this tea’s buds an extra dose of glucose to help them develop into leaves? This gives the tea a naturally occurring sweetness. Not only that, but the plants also cover these priceless buds in tiny, fine, silvery-white hair to protect them from the sun and insects. You guessed correctly—that’s where the tea’s name actually came from.
What is White tea?
Loved for its delicate and subtle flavors, white tea is a mild and delicate variety of tea. Its natural qualities are preserved through minimal processing, even though it is derived from the same tea plant—Camellia sinensis—as green, black, and oolong teas.
The young tea leaves and buds on this tea, which are typically harvested a few days each year just before they fully open, are what make it unique. For tea enthusiasts in particular, the small harvest makes white tea somewhat uncommon and exceptionally special. After being picked, the leaves are rapidly dried to retain their organic white tea qualities. This produces an infusion that is straw in color and has an incredibly delicate, slightly sweet flavor.
Varieties of White Tea
White Peony: The buds and young leaves of the camellia sinensis plant are used to make white peonies, also referred to as bai mudan. Its taste is mild, sweet, and delicate, which defines its flavor profile. It frequently smells slightly of flowers with hints of honey and a faint earthiness.
Silver Needle: The highly sought-after variety known as silver needle, or baihao yinzhen, is only produced from the closed buds of the camellia sinensis plant. Its flavor profile is remarkably light, sweet, and delicate. Many people describe the taste of this tea as having a refreshing quality, a hint of melon, and subtle floral notes.
Long Life Eyebrow: Mature tea leaves and buds are used to make long life eyebrows, also referred to as shou mei. When compared to other tea varieties, it has a stronger flavor. Its flavor profile consists of a light astringency, a hint of sweetness, and an earthy, woodsy taste.
Tribute Eyebrow: More mature tea leaves and buds are used to make a tribute eyebrow (also known as gong mei) than silver needle (also known as bai mudan). With hints of earthiness, mild sweetness, and subtle fruitiness, it has a richer, deeper flavor profile. This variety’s taste is renowned for being sophisticated and nuanced.
The amount of Caffeine in White Tea
You might mistake this tea for having less caffeine than others because of its subtle color. It may surprise you to learn, though, that this tea has a high and variable caffeine content—a single cup can contain anywhere from 6 to 75 milligrams. There are multiple factors that impact this broad spectrum.
You can be confident, though, that this tea’s caffeine content is still much lower than that of coffee, even within this wide range. When brewing coffee, using the right methods will help you enjoy it with less caffeine. Organic Decaffeinated Tea is an option if you want no caffeine in your tea.
Brewing White Tea
Heat the water. Thus, only heat a sufficient volume of water to a temperature between 71°C and 85°C. Fill the cup with a tiny amount of hot water, swirl it around, and then remove the water. When you brew the tea, this preheating aids in maintaining a steady temperature. Measure the tea by filling the cup with the appropriate number of tea leaves or tea bags. Steep it for a minimum of two to three minutes, then adjust the duration as needed. That’s all there is to it!
Before making this tea, keep the following points in mind:
Choose premium tea first because the quality of your tea leaves will determine how your tea turns out in terms of flavor. In addition to quality, you should also take variety into account because there are many different kinds of white tea (take a look at some of the ones we’ve already discussed). If you’ve never tried this tea before, think about sampling a few different kinds to see which one you prefer.
Storage: Be sure to keep your tea leaves out of direct sunlight, dampness, and strong odors by keeping them in an airtight container. Its freshness and flavors are preserved through proper storage.
Measurement: To measure the tea, use one to one and a half teaspoons or one tea bag for every cup (240 ml) of water. But, this can change based on the tea you use and your personal preferences, so modify the amount as necessary.
Quality: Use high-quality water; too soft water makes tea too weak, and hard water can make tea bitter. For optimal flavor, use filtered water and don’t leave water in the kettle for extended periods of time. The flavor of tea is significantly influenced by the quality of the water, so it is important to take purity, hardness, and pH levels into account.
