Mychoyce.com San Francisco Restaurant Blog

What is so fantastic about white tea? What is it, what are its characteristics, and how is it made?

Tea has been a popular beverage in both the east and the west for centuries. Europeans have generally enjoyed black tea. Green and oolong teas have been making strides in popularity in the past few years. But white tea remains a bit of a mystery to many of us. What is it, what are its characteristics, and how is it made?

All tea comes from the plant camellia silensis. While there are variations in this plant depending on where it is grown, tea differs mainly it the way it is processed. White tea is picked before the leaves of the plant have opened fully. At this stage the buds are covered with fine white hair, giving the tea its name.

It is largely unfermented. The leaves are picked and allowed to wither, rather than being cooked dry. The proportion of buds to leaves determines the type of tea. White Peony tea, for example, contains one bud for every two leaves. Silver Needles, one of the most prized types of white tea, is made entirely from blossom buds.

It differs from its black and green cousins in that it is not rolled. The fresh leaves are left to wither for a few days, which results in slight. Because it is “uncooked”, the antioxidant levels in white tea may be more potent than in other types of tea.

While there have been relatively few studies on the health benefits, it is starting to be recognized as a potentially great health aid. It contains high levels of catechins, which are known to help lower both cholesterol and blood pressure.

Its delicate sweet flavor is far less stringent than black tea. It does not have the fresh grassy tones of green tea. It has been prized for centuries as the most gourmet of teas, and because it is made from the immature buds, it is one of the more expensive kinds of tea available.

The buds that comprise the majority of white tea are sturdy and robust. To brew a good cup, start with high quality loose tea and clear filtered water. Bring the water to just below the boiling point, then pour over the leaves. Steep for three to five minutes. Drink up! It is a healthful alternative to just about any other beverage.

Ready to explode common myths about this amazing tea? Visit White Tea Information - Six Myths Debunked in the White Tea section of Amazing Green Tea — an info-site dedicated to help you discover your next great gourmet tea.

Copyright © 2007 by Julian Tai. All rights reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julian_Tai