Elixir Fine Tea

White tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have fully opened. The tea takes its name from the silver fuzz that still covers the buds, which turns white when the tea is dried. The exact proportion of buds to leaves varies depending on the variety of white tea. For example, White Peony contains one bud for every two leaves, while Silver Needles, the crème de la crème of white teas, is made entirely from downy buds picked within a two day period in early spring.

Of course, an exotic appearance alone doesn’t explain white tea’s sudden surge in popularity. The secret lies in what happens after the buds are plucked. Tea leaves destined to be sold as white tea undergo even less processing than green tea leaves. The white tea leaves are simply withered and dried in the sun or under cover.

The result? A pale tea with a sweet, silky flavour. People who have tried both note that white tea lacks the “grassy” aftertaste so often associated with green tea. Furthermore, studies indicate that white tea is better for you. Leaving tea leaves so close to their natural state means that white tea contains more polyphenols, the powerful anti-oxidant that fights and kills cancer-causing cells, than any other type of tea.

Need another reason to drink white tea? A 2004 study at Pace University concluded that white tea can help your body’s immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria. The same study concluded that fluoride-rich white tea helps prevent the growth of dental plaque, the chief cause of tooth decay.

Of course, nothing in life is perfect. Expect to pay more for white tea than other tea types.

For best results in steeping white tea, bring fresh filtered water to a rolling boil and let it sit for up to one minute, then pour the water over the leaves. Most agree that the ideal water temperature for white tea is between 170 - 185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius). Boiling water can ruin the delicate flavour of white tea.

Be Generous When Adding Tea Leaves: White tea leaves are much less dense and compact than other types, which means that you’ll probably want to increase the amount of tea leaves that you normally use. Start by using 2 teaspoons of white tea leaves for every cup (8 ounces) of water. Do a taste test and then add or subtract more leaves as desired.

When it Comes to Steeping Times, More is Better: Specific times can vary depending on the brand of white tea you are using. However, 5 to 8 minutes for the first steeping is generally recommended, with another 2 to 3 minutes for each additional cup. Purveyors of specialty brands such as Silver Needles frequently recommend steeping the tea for up to 15 minutes.