White tea, the secret of emperors
What is white tea? | Properties of white tea | How to brew white tea | Where to buy white tea
White tea, traditionally produced only in exceptional spring harvests, is renowned for its delicate aroma and refreshing power . In recent years, it has gained widespread popularity in the West for its health-promoting properties, its high antioxidant content, and its low caffeine content.
Read on to learn more about its origin, its incredible properties, and much more:
What is white tea?
White tea is one of the 5 major categories of tea along with green tea , blue tea or oolong tea , black tea and red tea or pu-erh , all of which come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
White tea is the least processed of all and in ancient China was reserved exclusively for emperors and high-ranking officials.
White teas are divided into two types: those made from young buds (such as Yin Zhen and Silver Needles) and those made from a mixture of buds and leaves (such as Pai Mu Tan and Shou Mei).
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Origin of white tea
Just as tea plant cultivation has a long tradition in China, the process of transforming leaves is an art that Chinese tea masters perfected centuries ago.
This experience, acquired over the years through trial and error, has given us a vast array of tea methods and types. So many that it's said that tea is produced differently in each region of China.
White tea originates in one of these regions, Fujian . Today, this tea is produced in many other regions of China, and in recent years, it has even begun to be produced in Darjeeling , an area of India near Tibet, famous for producing some of the finest black teas in the world.
How is white tea produced?
White teas are produced in two main stages, drying and grading:
During drying, the leaves are simply spread out on bamboo mats . Depending on ambient conditions, the tea leaves will be left to dry for 12 to 24 hours.
During sorting, broken leaves and other residual parts are removed; the goal is to select only whole leaves and buds . For the most prized white teas, sorting is done by hand.
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Flavor of white tea
Because white tea is minimally processed, its flavor is delicate with a smooth finish and a pale yellow color. It has a slightly sweet and very refreshing taste. When brewed correctly, it doesn't have the bitter aftertaste you might find in other types of tea. Depending on the variety, white tea can have different nuances: fruity, vegetal, spicy, or floral.
The properties of white tea
In China, white tea is consumed primarily in summer because it is very refreshing. According to traditional Chinese medicine, white tea helps relieve excessive heat and alleviates the symptoms of menopause . In recent years, numerous studies have been published analyzing the health benefits of this tea. Here are some of their conclusions:
- Improves heart health
- Improves skin health
- Improves oral health
- Improves hair health
- Increases relaxation and concentration
1. Improves heart health
Having a healthy heart means living longer and better. White tea helps protect the heart's proper function and prevent diseases such as blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks.
Since white tea is the least processed tea, it also contains the highest amount of antioxidants . The catechins present in white tea may help lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants present in white tea have also been shown to help regulate cholesterol levels.
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2. Improves skin health
White tea can help achieve an even complexion thanks to its antiseptic and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals that cause signs of premature aging, such as dark spots and wrinkles. White tea's anti-inflammatory properties can also help reduce redness and inflammation caused by skin conditions such as eczema or dandruff.
White tea can even be used topically (once cooled) as a natural cleanser . Its phenol content strengthens both collagen and elastin, giving the skin a smoother, more youthful appearance.
3. Improves oral health
White tea contains high levels of flavonoids, tannins, and fluoride, which help keep teeth healthy and strong. Fluoride, tannins, and flavonoids help prevent plaque, which causes cavities .
White tea also has antiviral and antibacterial properties that help keep teeth and gums healthy.
4. Improves hair health
The antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate, present in white tea, improves hair growth and prevents hair loss , according to several studies.
White tea also naturally protects hair from sun damage, preventing it from drying out during the summer months.
5. Increases relaxation and concentration
White tea contains the highest concentration of L-theanine of all tea categories. This component is known to improve alertness and concentration by inhibiting arousal stimuli that can lead to hyperactivity.
L-theanine may also reduce anxiety , as it stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which has natural calming effects.
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How to prepare white tea correctly?
Step 1: Prepare the leaves. Use approximately one teaspoon per cup of tea.
Step 2: Boil the water to 80°C. As with most teas, we recommend using filtered or mineral water, as this will result in a better tasting and more aromatic tea.
Step 3: Steep the tea leaves for 1 to 3 minutes.
Where to buy white tea?
You can buy white tea at specialty tea shops. At Replantea, you can find a very special organic Pai Mu Tan white tea, as it contains a small amount of lavender to enhance its floral aroma and relaxing properties.
Sources
- Ivey, K., Lewis, J., Prince, R., & Hodgson, J. (2013). Tea and non-tea flavonol intakes in relation to atherosclerotic vascular disease mortality in older women. British Journal of Nutrition, 110 (9), 1648-1655.
- (2016) Antimicrobial Properties of Teas and Their Extracts in vitro , Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 56:9, 1428-1439.
- (2017) L-theanine, unique amino acid of tea, and its metabolism, health effects, and safety , Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57:8, 1681-1687.
- Nunes, A., Alves, M., Tomás, G., Conde, V., Cristóvão, A., Moreira, P., Silva, B. (2015). Daily consumption of white tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) improves the cerebral cortex metabolic and oxidative profile in prediabetic Wistar rats. British Journal of Nutrition, 113 (5), 832-842.
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