White Tea: Ancient Origins, Modern Wellness & How to Brew It Best

At Totally Loose Leaf, we believe tea is more than a drink. It’s a connection to history, wellness and mindful living. Few teas capture that blend as beautifully as white tea. Known for its subtle flavour and delicate appearance, white tea is also one of the oldest and most fascinating teas in the world. In our collection, you’ll find two remarkable varieties: Wild White Tea and Pai Mu Tan (Bai Mu Dan), both celebrated for their elegance and natural goodness.

A Rich History of White Tea

White tea’s story begins in Fujian, China, with early mentions in the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). By the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), Emperor Huizong praised its purity in his Treatise on Tea (1107). Seen in China as a gift from the heavens, true white tea emerged in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and by the Qing era (1644–1912), Fujian farmers developed the famed Da Bai and Da Hao plants, giving rise to Silver Needle and Pai Mu Tan, once reserved for emperors and later exported worldwide.

While white tea was born in the mountains of Fujian, it eventually found its way to Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries, when the East India Company and later independent merchants began importing Chinese teas to meet Britain’s growing appetite. Though black teas like Bohea and later Assam became the nation’s staples, white teas such as Silver Needle and Pai Mu Tan were considered rare luxuries, prized by wealthy households who wanted the finest and most delicate leaves from China.

By the late Victorian era, white tea was sometimes served for afternoon tea in drawing rooms and salons as a refined alternative to the stronger black teas, admired for its elegance, purity and lower caffeine content. Today, revisiting white tea connects British tea drinkers not only to its Chinese heritage but also to the history of tea as a symbol of refinement and social ritual in Britain.

The Health Benefits of White Tea

White teas are considered by some to be the purest in the world. Young tea leaves and buds are plucked before they are fully opened, while they are still covered in fine white hairs (hence the name "white tea"). Additionally, white tea is the most minimally processed of all tea varietals: the buds are neither rolled nor oxidized and must be carefully monitored as they are dried. This precise technique produces a subtle cup with mellow, sweet notes.

With a gentle floral, sweet and at times nutty notes, white tea is packed with powerful compounds that support wellbeing:

• Rich in antioxidants: White tea is high in catechins and polyphenols. In one study, white tea extract reduced oxidative stress in skin cells exposed to UV light, showing real protective effects (Journal of Inflammation, 2011).
•  Supports heart health: A 2024 study found white tea lowered cholesterol and inflammation in animal models of atherosclerosis (Antioxidants, 2024). More broadly, a meta-analysis of 38 human cohorts found tea drinkers had a 13% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality (Epidemiology and Health, 2023).
• Skin protection: White tea extract helps defend skin from UV damage and reduces breakdown of collagen, which contributes to wrinkles (Journal of Inflammation, 2011).
• Metabolism & weight: Tea catechins (including those in white tea) combined with caffeine increased fat oxidation by about 17% in a controlled human trial (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999).
•  Calm energy: White tea is typically lower in caffeine than black tea (around 15–30 mg per cup vs. 40–70 mg), making it a gentler source of focus (Healthline).

How to Brew White Tea

White tea’s delicate leaves need care in brewing to reveal their best flavour. So, how to brew white tea properly?

Traditional Chinese method (Gaiwan style):
1.    Warm your teaware.
2.    Add 3 g tea per 150 ml water.
3.    Heat water to 70–75°C (never boiling).
4.    Rinse leaves briefly, then steep for 2–3 minutes.
5.    Re-infuse the same leaves multiple times, enjoying how the flavour evolves.

Everyday UK method (teapot or infuser):
1.    Boil water, then let it cool for 1–2 minutes.
2.    Add 1 teaspoon (~2 g) per cup of Wild White or Pai Mu Tan.
3.    Steep at 75–80°C for 3–4 minutes.
4.    Remove leaves and pour a clean, light, floral cup.
5.    The leaves can be re-infused.

A Modern Ritual with Ancient Roots

From imperial gardens to your teacup, white tea has travelled through centuries, carrying with it both tradition and wellness. Each sip is more than refreshment, it’s a quiet reminder to pause, to savour the delicate, and to find calm in simplicity. Let its gentle, sweet character guide you toward balance, peace and the joy found in life’s smallest moments. All our white teas are ethically sourced, organic compliant, orthodox, hand-picked and minimally processed, honouring both the land they come from and the traditions that shaped them.

Click on the link below and discover our top rated White Teas here: [Shop Wild White Tea & Pai Mu Tan (Bai Mu Dan) - https://totallylooseleaf.co.uk/collections/white-tea]