White Tea
The most minimally processed of all teas. White tea is simply withered and dried, allowing the natural character of the leaf to shine through. Delicate, sweet, and subtly complex.
The Minimal Intervention
The most minimally processed of all teas. White tea is simply withered and dried, allowing the natural character of the leaf to shine through. Delicate, sweet, and subtly complex.
Quiet Questions
What is white tea?
White tea is the most minimally processed of all tea types. Made from young buds and sometimes the first leaves, it is simply withered and dried. The name comes from the fine silver-white hairs that cover the unopened buds. The result is a tea of delicate sweetness and quiet complexity.
How to brew white tea?
White tea is wonderfully forgiving. Use water at 85°C with 4g of leaf per cup. Steep for 2–3 minutes. Because the buds are less dense than other tea leaves, they release flavor slowly, making over-extraction rare. Quality white tea can yield 4–5 gentle infusions.
Does white tea have caffeine?
Yes, white tea contains caffeine. A typical cup has 15–30mg, though this varies by tea. Silver Needle, made entirely from buds, tends to have slightly more caffeine than White Peony, which includes more mature leaves. White tea is often described as calming rather than stimulating.
White tea benefits?
White tea is prized for being high in antioxidants, particularly catechins, because minimal processing preserves more of the leaf's natural compounds. Many people find white tea gentler on the stomach than other tea types. Its naturally sweet, honeyed character makes it a soothing choice for quiet moments.
