How to Brew White Tea
When it comes to tea, we often think of the more common varieties like black, green, or oolong. But there are so many different types of tea out there — being just one of them.
White tea is a delicate variety with a light and refreshing taste, often described as sweet, grassy, or even slightly floral. Because white tea is so subtle in flavor, it pairs well with almost any other kind of tea and various ingredients like fruit and other herbs.
Here's everything you need to know about brewing white tea at home.
What is White Tea?
White tea is made from tea plants' buds rather than the leaves. These buds are covered with fine white hairs that give them their unique look and light flavor.
White tea is often described as delicate and soothing, especially when brewed at lower temperatures. Unlike other varieties of tea, white tea is typically not fermented, which means it retains higher levels of antioxidants like catechins, which are thought to have positive health benefits.
There are many different types of white tea, but the most common varieties are Silver Needle and White Peony. Silver Needle is made from the buds of Chinese white tea trees that are shaded for about 20 days before harvest.
On the other hand, White Peony is made from buds of a Chinese green tea tree and covered with white fuzz. Although these varieties are entirely different, they can be brewed using the same method.
How to Make White Tea
While there are a few other methods for making white tea, using loose leaves is the most straightforward. Start by pouring 2 to 3 grams of loose tea leaves every 8 ounces of water into an infuser or teapot.
You can also use a teacup or other vessel to brew a cup of white tea. Add boiling water to cover the leaves thoroughly, and let the tea brew for 1-3 minutes.
You can keep the tea leaves in the water for about 30 seconds longer for a more potent brew. Add the loose leaves to a pitcher and pour over ice to make iced white tea. Unlike some other types of tea, white tea does not need to be brewed with a co2 cartridge to keep it fresh — it will stay fresh for up to one year unopened.
Is Wichita the Best to Brew?
Wide varieties of white tea are made from other plants and various parts of the plant. But there are two main types we've found to be the best for brewing:
Silver Needle and White Peony. Silver Needle is made from buds of Chinese white tea trees that are shaded for about 20 days before harvest. It gives the tea a sweet flavor, often described as smooth and creamy.
On the other hand, White Peony is made from buds of a Chinese green tea tree and covered with white fuzz. When brewed, this tea has a flavor that's often described as light and slightly floral.
Both varieties of white tea have a bland taste and delicate texture, and they pair well with almost any other type of tea or by themselves.
Tips for Brewing Great White Tea
- Use quality water that's free of impurities, like bottled water.
- Use water that's at a low to moderate temperature. You risk burning off the delicate flavor if the water is too hot.
- White tea is best enjoyed with low-fat dairy like milk or yogurt, but it tastes great with fruits like berries or citrus.
- White tea keeps for about one year unopened so that you can stock up on a few different varieties at a time. If you love brewing tea at home, you might be interested in learning more about the best teapots.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is White Tea Healthier than Other Types?
White tea is often thought to be the healthiest type of tea because it's not fermented like other varieties. It means it retains higher levels of antioxidants thought to have positive health benefits, like promoting cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
2. What is the Best Time to Drink White Tea?
White tea is best enjoyed in the morning or afternoon because it has a light flavor and less caffeine than black or green tea. It's best to avoid drinking white tea in the evening because it can keep you awake.
3. White Tea and Weight Loss
Drinking white tea may help you lose weight because it has less caffeine than black tea and a higher concentration of catechins, which are thought to have positive health benefits like promoting weight loss.
Summary
White tea is made from tea plants' buds rather than the leaves. Unlike other varieties of tea, white tea is typically not fermented, which means it retains higher levels of antioxidants like catechins.
There are many different types of white tea, but the most common varieties are Silver Needle and White Peony. White tea is best enjoyed with low-fat dairy like milk or yogurt, but it tastes great with fruits like berries or citrus.
White tea is often thought to be the healthiest type of tea because it's not fermented like other varieties, which means it retains higher levels of antioxidants that are thought to have positive health benefits.