White tea

White tea

White tea is one of the finest and most original types of tea in the world. It is characterized by its particularly gentle processing and its mild, yet complex taste. For tea enthusiasts, white tea is not only a pleasure, but also a valuable natural product with numerous health-promoting properties. In this product category, you will find out everything you need to know about white tea, its origin, production, different varieties and preparation.

What is white tea?

White tea, like most teas, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference to other types of tea such as green or black tea lies in the processing. White tea is hardly processed and only goes through a few production steps, which makes it particularly natural. The tea leaves and buds are simply dried after harvest and not oxidized, which gives it its light color and fine flavor. The name "white" comes from the silvery hairs that cover the young tea buds.

White Tea Origin

The roots of white tea lie in China, particularly in the province of Fujian, which is known worldwide for its high-quality tea. This region offers the perfect climate and ideal conditions for growing this special type of tea. In the high altitudes of the tea gardens, white tea is often grown under strict conditions, which ensures its purity and quality. White tea is now also produced in other regions of Asia, such as India and Sri Lanka, but its Chinese origin is still considered a sign of quality.

Production and processing of white tea

The production of white tea is a very gentle process. After the delicate buds and leaves are harvested, they are dried in the sun or under controlled conditions. Unlike other types of tea, white tea is not rolled, fermented or brewed, which leaves the tea particularly unadulterated. This gentle processing preserves many valuable ingredients, such as antioxidants. This minimal processing is one of the main reasons why white tea is considered one of the most original and healthiest types of tea.

Types of White Tea

White tea can be divided into different types, which differ in their origin, harvest time and processing. The most popular types are:

• Pai Mu Tan (Bai Mudan) : Pai Mu Tan, also known as “White Peony”, is one of the most popular varieties of white tea. It consists of the younger leaves and buds and has a mild, slightly floral taste.
  
  
• Silver Needle (Yin Zhen) : Silver Needle is one of the finest and most expensive varieties. Only the young, unopened buds are used for this tea. It has a very delicate, almost sweet taste.
  
  
• Shou Mei : This variety is harvested later and contains both leaves and buds. Shou Mei has a slightly stronger taste compared to other white teas and has nutty notes.
  
  
• Gong Mei : Gong Mei is another variety of white tea, made from the lower leaves and buds. Its taste is stronger and fuller, but less delicate than that of Silver Needle.

Preparation recommendation

Preparing white tea requires a little patience and sensitivity to develop its full aroma. The right water temperature is crucial - the water should be around 75 to 85 degrees Celsius so as not to destroy the delicate aromas. A brewing time of 2 to 5 minutes is ideal, depending on the desired intensity. Shou Mei and Gongmei generally require a shorter brewing time.
For a cup of white tea, use about 2 teaspoons of tea leaves per 250 ml of water. If left to brew for longer, the tea will develop a stronger flavor, but will always remain pleasantly mild.

Tip: White tea can be brewed several times without losing its flavor. Each infusion brings out new, subtle nuances. For most teas in our online shop, we indicate how many infusions are possible with one tea.

Buy white tea

When buying white tea, quality plays a crucial role. You can recognize high-quality white tea primarily by the perfect leaves and buds that have retained their shape during the drying process. The leaves should be evenly shaped, free of fragments and silvery-green in color. Tea bags that contain crushed tea leaves or even dust are generally not suitable for a really good white tea. It is almost impossible to find high-quality white tea in tea bags, as the quality of the leaves is massively impaired.

At Teewald.de you will find a carefully selected range of excellent white teas that will meet your highest standards.

Pressed tea cakes and maturation of white tea

A special highlight among white teas are the pressed tea cakes. The tea leaves are pressed into flat, round discs, similar to Pu-Erh tea. These tea cakes are not only visually special, but also offer a very unique taste experience. While loose white tea is usually drunk young, tea cakes can mature over time. Similar to a good wine, additional aromas develop over the years, making the tea even more complex and full-bodied.

White tea is matured through a natural fermentation process, which takes years for tea cakes. Older white tea cakes are particularly popular with connoisseurs, as their deep, complex flavor offers a unique experience. The maturation process can take up to 10 years or more and produces flavors such as honey, dried fruit, and even light nutty notes.

So if you are looking for a tea that will bring joy not only now but also in the future, a pressed white tea cake is an exciting choice.