What is White Tea?

In addition to being harvested at a different time than other teas, white tea is different because, like green tea, it undergoes very little processing, and is not fermented.

You might find that you don't want to sweeten white tea at all, or at least you'll find that it requires less sweetener than your other favorite teas.

White tea's flavor attracts tea drinkers who might find black tea too heavy or green tea to have a bit of a grassy flavor.

The anti-oxidants found in white and green tea have been shown to fight diseases such as cancer, heart disease and high blood cholesterol.

White tea has a light, sweet taste and is one of the most refreshing teas you can drink.

Studies have shown that white tea contains the same anti-oxidants as green tea, and even may retain more active anti-oxidants than its green cousin.

In fact, historically, white tea was reserved only for use at the highest tea ceremonies, such as those for dignitaries or wedding teas.

Today, you can even find white tea in ready to drink bottles.

White tea comes from the same plant as other teas, the camellia sinensis.

White tea's delicate flavor is often enjoyed alone.

White tea even looks a bit different than black or green tea before brewing.

Most white teas will look somewhat silver in loose form.

This helps protect the delicate flavor of white tea.

Because white tea is delicate, it should be brewed using water at a temperature just below the point of boiling.

In fact, if you're used to adding sweetener to your tea, try your first cup of white tea without any sweetener.

There is typically less white tea grown and harvested than other forms of tea.

Because it undergoes very little processing, white tea retains its anti-oxidants in their most natural state.

Since white tea has no sugar and no fat, it makes a healthy addition to your food.

There are many recipes using white tea for sauces, in particular for sauces to go over fish and chicken.

Food and tea connoisseurs are now also finding ways to use delicious white tea in cooking, too.

White tea has also been shown to improve the immune system, too.

Today, though, white tea has gained such popularity that it's likely we'll see tea growers designating more of their harvest to white tea.

White tea is also high in fluoride, making it great for preventing tooth decay and inhibiting the formation of plaque.

This makes white tea some of the healthiest you can drink.

At this point in the growing process, the tea buds are still covered by fine white hair, hence the name white tea.

Most white tea is grown in China and Japan, though today it is also grown in the Darjeeling region of India and Sri Lanka.

In fact, many of the large tea companies are beginning to market white tea varieties.

In particular, white tea seems to have the ability fight off bacteria and viruses.