All You Need to Know About White Tea and More
By James N Marsh
The Production Process
The production process for white tea begins with harvesting. It is usually harvested in the spring and only once each year. The most tender and youngest leaf tips and buds are hand-picked. After the picking is done, the tea leaves are withered, usually outdoors under the natural sunlight. This softens the leaves and starts a natural fermentation process. The stems and natural waxy coating are removed from the leaves and then baked through a slow-fire process until they are dry. The moisture content is measured; when it gets to about 4-5%, the leaves are packaged.
Types of White Tea
White tea is grown, harvested, and produced in a few different countries including China, India, and Sri Lanka. Due to the growing conditions, different temperatures and other factors, each area produces its own types and flavors of the fine tea. The following are some of the types of tea that are available on the market:
China
• White Peony – Grown in the Fujian Province, White Peony is a very rare tea that is only harvested in the spring. It is considered to be one of the finest and most expensive teas. Its taste is smooth and creamy and also exudes a hint of Flower.
• White Silver Needles – This premium Organic tea is made from very young, tender buds that still have white hairs on them that look like silvery needles; hence the name of the tea. Before production, this tea is only picked on a certain number of days throughout the year. White Silver Needles is also a rare tea and can be somewhat expensive. The taste is very delicate; it has fruity tones, yet is very smooth and sweet.
• White pu erh tea – This sweet tasting tea is the rarest of teas and the most expensive. This exquisite tea is only found and grown in the high mountains.
• Gong Mei – Although it is considered a lower grade tea, Gong Mei is still a good tea. It has also been referred to as Tribute Eyebrow. Its leaves are taken from a special tea bush and the production process is not the same as other teas.
• Shou Mei – This white tea is considered the lowest grade. It is made from the left over harvested leaves from White Peony and Silver Needle.
India
• White Darjeeling – This is considered one of the finest teas coming from India. Its taste is marginally sweet and it has a distinct, but very delicate aroma. White Darjeeling is golden in color when brewed.
• Assam White – Coming from the Assam region in India, this tea is slightly sweeter than other teas. It is considered a rare tea, but a fine tea in India.
Sri Lanka
• Ceylon White – This tea is copper in color when brewed and has a very distinct taste of honey and pine. Ceylon White is considered to be a very expensive and very prized tea.
As we learn more about Loose leaf white tea, we can begin to appreciate what a special treasure it really is. Not only are there several types of white tea, but they can also come infused with different flavors, such as fruit, spices, or nuts. Tea is surely a pleasure you won’t want to pass up trying.
Some of the finest varieties of loose white tea can be found online at LoveTea.com. Sample a few of the flavors offered until you find your favorite.
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