White tea

Considered in Asia for centuries as the Elixir of immortality , white tea takes its name from the silvery white color of its leaves, still covered with a light white down. Due to its rarity, the care taken in picking and the nobility of its fragrance, white tea is considered to be the most prestigious and precious tea in the world . For a long time, white tea was reserved for the Imperial Court of China, due to its laborious production and the delicacy of its aroma.

Its origins

There are many legends about tea. The most famous is that of Emperor Chen Nung . About 5,000 years ago, he was boiling water under a tree when a few leaves, carried by the breeze, fell into his drink. They gave the water a delicate color and a sweet aroma. Tea was born. In addition to this legend, and according to early writings, white tea was already known in the 16th century and was created in Fuding County in 1796 .

White tea originated in China, but in recent years its cultivation has expanded far beyond that, and new producing countries are specializing in it. Today, this rare tea is grown in Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. These are regions ideal for its harvest.

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The particularities of white tea

The world's most powerful antioxidant: White tea contains 3 times more polyphenols than green tea, and is 100% more effective . It is therefore the most powerful antioxidant in the world.

White tea, the purest tea: White tea is the purest because it remains in its natural state. It is in fact the one that has undergone the least transformation during the manufacturing process, hence its subtle and refined taste . It does not lose its properties and brings a large number of benefits to the skin and the body.

Made from the buds of the tea plant: White tea, green tea, and black tea all come from the same tree: Camellia Sinensis or Chinese Camellia (more commonly known as the tea plant). The main difference is that white tea comes directly from the buds of the tea plant , while green tea and black tea are made from the leaves of the tree.

The process of making white tea

The process of making white tea is unique. The harvest , carried out by hand, takes place only once a year , during the first days of spring. Its unopened buds and leaves are quickly picked, then withered and dried in the sun. The white tea thus retains all its purity and properties.

Withering is the first step in making white tea. This process removes water from the tea leaf to make it more malleable.

The second step in making white tea is drying . This involves subjecting the leaves to a stream of hot air to lower the moisture content of the tea leaves. This makes them more suitable for storage. This is a very important step, because if the drying is too low, the tea leaves risk molding during storage due to the remaining moisture. If the drying is too high, it can also cause some of the aromas to disappear. Just like withering, this drying step can be carried out indoors or outdoors when weather conditions permit.

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The components of white tea

Tea minerals: Potassium is found in particular, which ensures several of our vital functions (acid-base balance, control of cell pH, proper kidney function). Calcium is also present in white tea; it is the main constituent of our teeth and bones. Magnesium contributes to nerve transmission and muscle relaxation (essential for heart function, regulation of sugar levels and blood pressure). Other minerals are also found in minimal quantities, such as zinc, copper, sodium and nickel.

Polyphenols: They're known to be the best natural antioxidants. And that's a good thing! White tea contains times more of them than green tea, making it the world's most powerful antioxidant. Polyphenols are true allies in the fight against cellular aging.

Catechins (or flavonoids): Also part of the polyphenol family, catechins play an important role in health. They protect natural defenses and boost the immune system. White tea contains the most of them.

Tannins: These are part of the polyphenol family. In white tea, tannins are present in very small quantities. They are responsible for the tea's stimulating effect. They bind to caffeine and delay its release into the bloodstream. This is also why its duration of action is longer compared to coffee. Tannins give tea certain qualities, such as its color or bitterness.

Theanine: Often confused with theine, theanine, also known as L-theanine, has a truly relaxing effect on the nervous system. Although present in minimal amounts in white tea, it helps reduce psychological stress. This component increases concentration and mood and helps reduce stress on the body.

Caffeine (or theine): This component has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Depending on the variety of white tea, the caffeine level can vary depending on many factors (fertilizers, buds, etc.). The more buds the white tea contains, the higher the caffeine content. In general, a cup of white tea contains 20 to 55 mg of caffeine.

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