In fact, there are many types that come from many countries.

This type of tea is less common than green or black tea, but it’s far from rare.

These are the 10 things you need to know about white tea.

1. White tea may contain more caffeine than black tea

It’s a common misconception that white tea is the gentlest type of tea in terms of caffeine content. A reason for this is that, when brewed properly, has a very delicate colour and flavour, especially when it contains lots of silver buds.

But studies have shown that white tea may have more caffeine than green tea (1) and even more than black tea.

Another study that compared different types showed that Bai Mu Dan or White Peony may have significantly more caffeine than Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Bai Hao Silver Needle) or Shou Mei teas (2).

2. Some types will never be available in classic tea bags

While there are white tea bags available on the market, not all are suitable for tea bags. That’s because classic tea bags contain tea dust and small leaf particles, rather than whole or even broken leaves.

One of the most popular white teas in the world – Chinese Silver Needle – is a tea made of young tea buds and attached leaves, covered in fine silver hair. This tea would lose all its charm and flavour if it was simply a dust.

However, Silver Needle tea is often available in pyramid tea bags, a type of tea bag suitable for whole leaf teas.

Another reason you won’t find all white teas in tea bags is that teas that are available in classic tea bags are usually the most popular types of teas. That’s why some rare teas will only be available as loose tea.

3. It is produced in many countries

Although the most popular white teas come from China, this tea type is not produced in many other countries as well, including Rwanda, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, Japan and Malawi. Many other countries are producing it in small batches too.

The largest producer of white tea is still China, which also has the widest assortment of this tea type, and some of the most exquisite teas in the world. What’s even more interesting is that teas from different countries will have a very different flavour, even if they are produced in the same way. And finally, all this actually makes it not rare as a type, but instead, it’s produced in lower quantities than green or black tea.

4. You can brew white tea with nearly boiling water

This type of tea may look gentle, but it can tolerate high temperatures better than green tea. High quality white teas won’t become bitter when you use nearly boiling water, but don’t over-steep them. Over steeping with boiling water can ruin any tea.

One tea you absolutely can steep in very hot water is Chinese Silver Needle tea. Even at 90 degrees Celsius, it will still brew into a pale and beautifully gentle cup.

5. You CAN drink white tea with milk

Some white teas are suitable for adding milk. Not all are gentle, and in fact, some may have a colour similar to black teas. But it’s not only the colour that tells you if the tea is suitable for adding milk, it’s the flavour too. Choose teas with a stronger flavour and yellow colour, such as Shou Mei Chinese tea or Kenya Rhino white tea.

Read more:

• Can you drink white tea with milk?
• Spiced white tea latte recipe

6. There are many types of silver needle tea

Just like there are many types of sencha green tea, there are many types of silver needle teas. Name silver needle implies a plucking standard and a processing method, rather than just one type of tea.

In fact, many countries are producing silver needle teas, including India, Malawi, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Kenya. The most popular silver needle teas come from China, especially Fujian province and Yunnan.

What does silver needle tea look like? It will contain mostly small buds covered in fine white hair. These buds may be thinner or plumper and bigger, white-green or green-grey. The fewer leaves it contains, the better.

7. It may contain more antioxidants than other tea types

If you want to enjoy the potential benefits of catechins but don’t like the flavour of green tea, this may be a perfect tea type to try. Although the total amount of polyphenols will be different in different white and green tea, they are both a good choice.

This tea type is often called a beauty tea, because it may contain more antioxidants than other types of tea. (3) It’s is rich in polyphenols, and especially catechins – just like green tea.

Studies showed that these two tea types have a very similar total polyphenol content, which may sometimes even be slightly higher in white tea (up to 25.95 grams per 100 grams, compared to up to 24.7 grams in 100 grams of green tea) (4).

8. White tea will have a longer shelf life than green tea

Properly stored white tea will probably taste good even after a year, and some may keep for years. However, to enjoy the best flavour, drink teas that have very green leaves (like Japanese white tea) or silver-green leaves (like high quality Chinese silver needle) within 6-12 months.

9. And, it can be aged

Not only can white tea stay fresh longer than green tea, but it can also be aged. Properly aged tea will keep even longer than unaged tea. White tea leaves are commonly pressed into brick or disk shapes and then aged. They look similar to aged pressed pu’erh tea. Which teas are aged? Beautiful Chinese Yue Guan Bai tea, Bai Mu Dan, Shou Mei and Gong Mei teas.

10. It doesn’t need to look white

Neither the colour of dry white tea leaves nor the brewed tea needs to look bright. In fact, they may come in different colours – white-grey, green-grey, vibrantly green, dark brown, or as a delicious Chinese Yue Guang Bai, white, grey and purplish. And when it comes to brewed tea, a very fine quality silver needle will look almost transparent. White Peony may have a vibrant yellow colour, and some, like Shou Mei and Gong Mei may brew into a darker yellow-brown liquor.

Final thoughts

White tea is an absolutely unique type of tea. Just like other tea types, it comes in a whole range of flavours, colours and shapes and is usually gentler in flavour than green or black tea. Since there’s more than just one type, if you decide to become a white tea drinker, you’re going to have lots of fun tasting unique flavours. Plus, you may even enjoy some really wonderful benefits.  

Sources

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4787341/

(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6170294/

(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123849373000033

(4) https://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/171370/4/Healteas.pdf

The post Is white tea rare? + 9 other white tea facts appeared first on All That Tea.

What is white tea?

Just like all other real teas, wite tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant. It’s often considered the least processed type of tea, hence the delicate flavour. However, not all white teas taste delicate, and some may have more caffeine than some green and black tea. Until recently, white tea was almost exclusively grown in China. Today, many other countries are producing delicious white teas, including Kenya, Sri Lanka, India, Malawi and Vietnam. 

What are the most popular types of white tea?

The most popular types of white tea still come from China, mostly Fujian Province. Silver Needle (or Yin Zhen) and White Peony (or Bai Mu Dan) are the two most popular types, although these categories include many different teas. Other popular white teas are Gong Mei, Shou Mei and Yue Guang Gai, a truly amazing tea from the Chinese Yunnan Province. Indian Bihar and Darjeeling white tea and Sri Lankan Nuwara Eliya white teas are receiving great attention too.

Out of all these teas, only a few will go well with milk. In theory, you could make a really strong, over-steeped cup of any white tea and still serve it with milk or sugar. But in that case, you would be missing out on some amazing flavours.

Which white teas may go well with milk?

If you want to drink white tea with milk, search for pure white teas that have darker leaves or white tea blends that contain ingredients and flavours such as chocolate, caramel, coconut, or spices. These blends will usually contain white tea with a stronger, naturally more intense flavour. You can use many white teas in traditional tea bags for making white tea lattes too, as they will mostly have a very strong flavour and dark yellow colour. White Earl Grey blends or White Chai blends will probably be great for serving with milk too, both as loose tea and tea bags.

But pure white teas may also be strong enough for drinking with milk. A great example is a Chinese tea Shou Mei tea. This tea looks similar to White Peony tea, but with darker leaves, more twigs and fewer (sometimes no) buds.

Teas that may go well with milk:

• Flavoured white tea blends with darker tea leaves and chocolate, caramel, coconut, hazelnut and spice flavours
• Pure white teas in traditional tea bags
• White Earl Grey loose tea or tea bags
• Pure white teas with stronger flavour and colour, darker leaves and/or twigs
• White teas blended with black tea
• White Chai loose tea or tea bags
• Some white tea cakes

Which white teas to enjoy pure?

Delicate, fresh and less oxidized white teas should never be mixed with milk. The highest quality of Silver Needle and White Peony will always be delicate with green and white leaves, that will brew into a very light-coloured tea. Not only would they not pair well with milk, but it would be a shame to ruin their flavour by adding any condiments, including sugar, honey, or lemon. Many Indian white teas are stronger than Chinese white teas, but they should also be appreciated with no condiments.

Don’t add milk to:

• The highest quality white teas
• White teas with very green leaves
• White teas that contain silver buds only
• Teas that have a very pale colour and flavour

How to make white tea with milk?

So, once you find the perfect strong blend, it’s time to prepare a perfect cup. If you are making a regular cup of tea with milk, simply use 1 teaspoon of tea leaves or one tea bag and steep it for 3-5 minutes at around 80 degrees Celsius. Strain and add only a splash of milk. If you are making a latte, use double the amount of tea leaves and steep it for 5 minutes.

You can choose either a regular dairy milk or a milk substitute with a lighter, more neutral flavour. If your tea contains nutty and chocolaty notes, milk alternatives with a stronger flavour may be a good alternative too.

Try it with:

• Regular semi-skimmed milk
• Milk alternative that tastes like regular dairy milk 
• Almond milk
• Cashew milk
• Oat milk
• Lighter coconut milk

White teas that go well with milk will usually have woody, nutty, fruity, sweet, and hay notes.

Recap

When choosing a white tea that would go well with milk, follow a simple rule: If the leaves are light, bright, large and fluffy, don’t add milk. If they are dark, with little or no white hairs, and especially if they are broken and small, you can give it a go. Every tea is different, so taste it pure first. If it’s strong enough, it will probably go well with milk.

Try:

– Spiced White Tea Latte Recipe

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