The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
White Tea - A Drink to Your Health
The original, pure form of white tea consists of only the tenderest, unopened bud of certain          
varieties of tea bushes grown in the Fujian Province, located on the eastern coast of China.  It's   
called Bai Hao Yin Zhen, which translates to Silver Needle, because after processing a covering     
of fine, soft white hair is visible on the new bud.  It also goes by the name, Flowery White             
Pekoe.       
Even in the best of years white tea has a limited
production.  The weather conditions must be near
perfect for plucking Fujian white tea.  It's picked in
early spring, before the buds open into leaves.  The
buds must be long and plump-not too thin, and not
too long.

The glory of white tea is that it receives very little
processing, yet brews a light colored, softly sweet
drink, reminiscent of honey, slightly nutty, with the
sweetness of peaches, and without any of the
grassy, pungent flavors often found in green tea.

Although traditional white tea may seem pricey by
the pound, broken down by the number of cups, it's
fairly inexpensive when compared to franchise
or boutique coffee shops, where one cup of java with all the bells and whistles can set you back   
$4.00 or more.  Even the most expensive of teas hardly compare.

Plus, you need to consider the many health benefits of tea, especially
the barely processed white and green teas.  Studies have shown
that white tea contains a higher level of disease fighting antioxidants
than any other tea.  Because white tea receives the least amount of
processing, more of the important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are
preserved, making it one of the healthiest teas to drink.

White tea starts out just like any other, with the fresh tea leaves
plucked and immediately brought to the factory, where they're piled
eight to ten inches deep in a covered area.  The tea  leaves are spread
in the thin layer to avoid bruising by being crushed under the weight
of too many leaves.

The leaves are then left for about 24 hours for the initial withering to take place.  Depending on   
the weather, the leaves may be left to wither for an additional 24-30 hours.  After withering the   
tea is given a quick firing before any bruising or oxidation of the leaf can occur.

That completes the manufacturing process for white tea.  Pretty simple, huh?

White tea is also used to create presentation teas, also called display teas, or blooming teas,       
and is used as a base for fine tasting scented teas, such as sweet and fragrant jasmine tea.        
Enjoy.     
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