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.
White tea comes from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant (just like black and green teas). The leaves are harvested young while the buds are still covered in very fine, white hairs. The best quality white tea is harvested first and the leaves gently dried. As a result of careful handling, white tea buds still have the same high concentration of antioxidants as fresh tea leaves.
The extremely gentle and quick processing of white tea means the buds and leaves are left very close to their natural state, allowing the antioxidants in the leaves to survive intact, making white tea a great option for the health-conscious. White tea is reputed to help with weight loss, lower insulin resistance, protect your teeth from bacteria and reduce inflammation.
