White tea may not be the first tea you think of. Indeed, it's not that easy to source, supermarkets do not sell a great deal of it and reputation wise it falls way behind it's black tea and green tea cousins.
However, white tea can make a really wonderful, refreshing cup of tea that is a pleasure to drink. So, here is a little run down on this lesser known and extremely dainty tea.
Origins
White tea is harvested mostly in China but in recent times has been produced by countries such as India, Nepal, Taiwan and Thailand. However, it's mostly harvested in the Fujian province of China.
How is it processed?
White tea is the least processed of all the tea's. It's harvested, withered in sunlight and processed only lightly.
The tea consists of leaves and unopened tea buds.
Why is it called white tea?
White tea doesn't infuse to a white colour. The tea gets it's name from the white and silvery fine hairs that cover the unopened tea buds.
How do you prepare white tea?
Green tea is famous for taking on bitter and astringent elements if not brewed properly. However, it has nothing at all on white tea!
I have said in previous posts that white tea is so delicate and fragile that it needs to be walked hand in hand through the brewing process.
Firstly, on no circumstances, must you ever use boiling water on white tea. You will scold the leaves and deny yourself the chance to taste this tea in all it's natural beauty.
Boil the water to 80-85 degrees. This is hard to do and it's extremely difficult to test the temperature of water, so my advice is to boil the water to a rolling boil then let it stand for a minute to a minute and half before pouring it onto the tea leaves.
Also take care with your infusion times. If you are using white tea in loose leaf form then you can infuse for up to six minutes and then add a further minute with every infusion you make after that. However, if you have brought white tea in teabag form from a supermarket I have found that five minutes is way too long, it goes nasty and bitter. I tend to limit infusions to no more then two minutes.
What appearance does white tea take when fully infused?
I have been asked once if white tea takes on the appearance of milk when infused! Well no, actually it's at the other end of the spectrum. White tea brews to a very pale amber colour. So much so that it's almost translucent, like pure water. It's simply gorgeous to look at.
And the flavour?
White tea has a delicate flavour, an extremely delicate flavour in fact. Someone once said it was totally flavourless, and I can understand that as we are used to the strength of black tea or the unique qualities of green tea. So it's very important to follow the brewing instructions closely, this is a tea that can spoil with just a minute of over steeping.
It's hard to describe the taste of the tea. Perhaps a less grassy version of green tea perhaps.
It is the perfect candidate to be served with afternoon tea, sandwiches or salads as it isn't at all over powering. However, you will loose the flavour of this tea if taken with strong foods.
Added extras
This tea goes well with both fruity and floral flavours. It's perfect on it's own, of course, but it's beautiful with flavours.
So far I have found peach, pear, pomegrante and even white grape are wonderful flavours from the fruit side. It doesn't sit too well with traditional fruits that are added to tea's such as lemon and orange.
From the floral side, peony, rose and jasmine work well with this delicate tea. In fact one of the nicest white tea's I've had was at Hever Castle in Kent where it was served with a very delicate dash of jasmine. And it was served in bone china cups, too. Very graceful and elegant.
Why do I like this tea so much?
I adore the light and refreshing elements to this tea.
At times, (particularly in hot weather) I find black tea can sit a little heavy on my stomach. I don't tend to drink much black tea during heatwaves for instance. At times like this white tea is perfect as it makes a nice change from the grassy elements of green tea.
It's refreshing, light, delicate, yet still gives me a satisfying cup of tea.
Some of my favourite white tea's are:
Revolution Tea: Pear White Tea
Teafields: Silver White Rose
Dragonfly Tea: Swirling Mist Organic White Tea
The Teashed: Out Of Milk Tea
Why not give white tea a try?
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