White tea is made from the same plant as green and black tea, but is harvested earlier. Historically, it was a luxury drink for emperors and royalty. Silver Needle is the most expensive and luxurious form of white tea. It has gained popularity in the west due to its antioxidant benefits, but can inflame the stomach lining.
White tea is made from the same plants used to make green and black tea, Camellia sinensis. The difference between white and green tea is that white tea is harvested much earlier, just as the first buds and leaves appear on the plant. Historically, white tea became popular during the Song Dynasty, starting around 960 AD
Initially the white tea drink was considered the province of emperors and royalty. Invariably they drank a version of the tea made only from the buds. Less “important” people might drink white tea made from the first leaves of the plant.
Today, white bud tea is still considered the most luxurious form of tea. It is therefore much more expensive than variants including leaves. Yinzhen White Tea, Bai Hao Yin Zhen or Silver Needle is still the best grade of tea and will cost significantly. A pound (.45 g) usually costs at least 50 US dollars (USD).
Less expensive white tea can certainly be purchased. In fact, companies like Lipton now market leaf-based white tea. Traditional varieties in China often use a blend of buds and leaves, or leaves alone, such as Shou Mei. Generally, all-leaf white tea has a stronger flavor than tea made with buds and leaves combined.
Silver Needle tea has been described as having a clear, sweet, and smooth flavor. Teas like Shou Mei usually share the same taste but are generally stronger and sweeter. Most white teas have an amber appearance, but Shou Mei tends to be slightly darker when brewed.
There are some white teas that are not traditional and are produced in India. Both Ceylon white and Darjeeling tea are extremely popular and can be much more expensive than Ceylon black and Darjeeling. These too can come in numerous grades depending on which part of the leaf or shoot is used.
White tea has recently gained popularity in the western world due to its antioxidant benefits. Green tea has already been shown to minimize the risk of some forms of cancer. In rat studies, white tea delayed the development or even killed stomach cancer cells. These studies and others have created a high demand for white tea, which is mostly met by large tea retailers. There have been a few studies examining whether different grades of white tea or processing methods might make the tea less or more effective.
A study of white tea, however, should put those with stomach issues on alert. White and green tea can actually inflame the lining of a stomach, which is called gastritis. Those with previous bouts of gastritis are the most susceptible to this side effect.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
